Family in Need
Note from GapFill.org’s Founder: Matthew and Sarah, a Christian tent-making family serving in a "sensitive area" for ten years, found out their newborn son Amos has Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC). This is a serious genetic disorder that requires special medical attention. As a result, they are heading stateside to Fort Worth, TX, to be near a TSC Center. Thanks for continuing to be the "hands and feet" of Jesus by helping to meet the needs of this missionary family.
Update From Matthew
First, we want to express a large and heartfelt thank you to the many of you that have sent messages of encouragement, offered up prayers and even helped us financially. We thank you all so much.
Second, Sarah made it to Texas safely, and she and Amos are doing fine. She is a bit bored, having no friends, having no way to go from place to place (aside from walking), and being in the U.S. where people just don't hang out outside like they do in China. Amos is fine; he hasn't shown any other symptoms as of yet and seems to be developing normally. Sarah has found two studies being done by the TSC Clinic in Houston that would pay for travel to Houston and give some (not all) tests (e.g. MRI, EEG) for free, so that sounds promising. God's blessings continue to appear. Sarah's also spending time looking online for deals on a car or minivan.
Third, I finished my last day of work this week, though I'm still working on some materials, including a description of duties and tasks to be done that I will need to give to the new EAP teacher replacing me. Barnabas and I fly out Nov. 6. Between then and now I have dinners with friends to attend, repacking to do, goodbyes to say, and generally keep my head from spinning off. Once I arrive, I'll definitely take a few days to rest and enjoy being with Sarah and Amos again. Then it will be off to the races trying to get a vehicle, sending out resumes, and looking for ways to get insurance and/or assistance in paying for Amos's treatments.
Prayer Needs
A car/minivan: Despite my dislike of PCs (personal cars), I know we need one at a hopefully reasonable price.
My students: The new teacher hasn't arrived yet, and I worry that he won't. I know the students are no longer my responsibility, but I still care about them and want them to learn and reach their goals.
A job or a place? I'm really wrestling with the question of whether I should pray for a job and simply go where the jobs are or whether I should ask Him where to go and trust that He has a job for me. It's an interesting but significant difference.
Insurance & Medical costs: Ironically with the AFA website troubles and so forth, this may be the worst possible time to be going back to the U.S. for medical treatment. I'm also having difficulty with the Texas CHIP web application, so neither of the boys are yet insured. Not to mention Sarah or me.
Adjustment: Just yesterday, I began to feel overwhelmed by all that lays before me: jobs, forms, applications, a culture I now feel alien in, disappointments, costs, etc. Ask that I (and we) would draw nearer to Jesus and walk with Him in these.
As a not-so-side note, I need a job. If you have connections that may be of help, please direct them to
info@gapfill.org and GapFill will relay them to me.
Blessings to you all,
Visit the Current Needs tab on the GapFill.org website to see how you can help this "Family in Need".