Missionary Needs Health Diagnosis and Treatment

10/14/2024 - To date, Tingkui has received $3,595. Thank you all so very much for your generosity. We believe this is enough to cover her surgery. We are removing the need for donations at this time until after the surgery is completed and Tingkui is back to good health. She is currently in line for the surgery in PNG and currently it appears the wait is about 2 months. If anything changes and there is a need for additional funds, we will open up the ability to donate at that time.

Again, thank you all so very much. Her sons (Essau and Seth) have been heavily involved and are taking good care of their mom!

Tingkui Joel, is a recently widowed member of the Bible Translation Association of Papua New Guinea. She and her late husband Orim, who passed in early August, worked in supporting Papua New Guinean Translators, and most importantly, in teaching people how to use the scriptures in their daily life.  Mrs. Joel had a significant health setback last year, and her health continues to deteriorate. It is the opinion of well-informed medical professionals that she urgently receives a proper diagnosis and treatment in the nation’s capital city, Port Moresby, where there are facilities to make a proper diagnosis. The Immediate need that must be met is the cost of flying her and her current caretaker Gorethy to the hospital where she will be able to receive a proper diagnosis. The public hospital can most likely do that, but treatment options are available privately.  This page will be continually updated to reflect realistic project needs as they are determined.

10/13/2024 - Thank you all so much for helping Tingkui. With the additional funds that have come in, it appears that her medical needs will be covered. Every effort has been made to use private doctors as little as possible, though earlier the private hospital likely saved her life with her blood sugar so high.  (Tingkui is a diabetic woman with a huge hernia.)  We will keep this project opened until after the hernia surgery has been scheduled and completed to ensure no additional complications arise that need funding. 

Thank you all for your donations and prayers. Please continue to pray this moves quickly. Orim (Tingkui’s husband) passed away suddenly just a short time ago and she is reeling from the loss, travel etc. Thank you for continuing to pray! Blessings to all for helping Tingkui!

10/02//2024 - Tingkui is continuing to improve in her spirits and mobility.  She was having some issues with her left eye, so Essau took her for an eye exam.  It sounds like she may need glasses.  Essau mentioned they were going to email him some quotes.

Essau and Seth still need to check with Port Moresby General Hospital to get the cost for surgery there.  From what they have heard from other patients is that the lines are very long just to make an appointment and then at least two months to see a specialist. This is something that we all can continue to pray about. 

Thank you again for your continued prayers for Tingkui.

09/20/2024 - Tingkui is doing well, she is much more cheerful. She has been able to get lots of rest and visits with local friends has really lifted her spirits.  The strap we bought for her is helping her mobility, she is finding it much easier to move around more. Her friend that has been with her is flying back home to her family in Madang, so it will just be Essau who is taking care of her. 

She did get the flu last week which set her back a bit. Essau was able to get her some medications, so she is stable at the moment. However, she is not excited about doing the surgery.  Please pray that the Lord will lead Tingkui into the next step and He would give her peace about the surgery.

Thank you again for all your prayers and financial support that has allowed Tingkui to get the help she needs.

09/14/2024 - Essau was able to pick up the scans at Paradise Hospital with Tingkui.  The report was addressed to the doctor who inspected his mom. After reading the report the doctor said Tingkui’s condition is stable for the moment (not life-threatening, Praise God…but still needed).  There were signs of a small infection but that is curable by drinking lots of water. Because the hernia is large there is no risk of blockage at the moment and suggested that she use straps to support her stomach. Essau was able to purchase a stomach strap.

Since the scans showed Tingkui’s condition was not currently life-threatening we have a bit of time to be able to plan for the surgery. The cost of surgery at Paradise Hospital (which is private) is more expensive at approximately $5,000 US dollars. Essau is currently looking at the price at the public Port Moresby General Hospital. We were told the surgeons are the same at both hospitals, there is just a bit of a wait at the Port Moresby General Hospital (need to schedule surgery months in advance).  Essau is currently researching the cost and options at Port Moresby General Hospital and will let us know once he finds out.

Thank you again for all your prayers for Tingkui.  She is out of immediate danger but still will need surgery.  Please keep continuing in prayer! Thank you!

09/10/2024 - Essau was able to take his mom to Paradise Hospital in Port Moresby for a checkup. The doctors checked her vitals.  Her blood pressure is normal, no fever. Her glucose levels were slightly high.  They ruled out an emergency operation since she is stable. The doctors confirmed that it was a large hernia on the right side of her stomach. They said it was less risky than a small hernia which causes complications with the intestines. They then took her to get scans to determine the next course of action. Thank you for your continued prayers!

09/8/2024 - Tingkui and her friend Gorehty, who has been taken care of Tingkui in the village, have successfully arrived in Port Moresby.  They will be staying with her son Essau who has set-up a room in his home for his mom and Gorethy.  Essau was able to shop a bit for his mom and she is resting and settling at his home now as Tingkui was not able to get enough rest in the village.  They will go to the hospital on Monday, Sept 9th and let the doctors make their assessment.  Please continue to pray for good doctors to make the right recovery plan for Tingkui.

09/02/2024 - Thank you all who donated funds right away when you heard about this project. GapFill was able to send the current funds to Seth (Tingkui’s son) in Port Moresby this morning. Funds are now available for him to purchase tickets to get Tingkui to Port Moresby for a proper diagnosis. Thank you all so very much for your immediate answer to prayer.

Thank you for helping this dedicated Christian missionary get the healthcare she needs to continue in God’s work.