Hello family, friends, fellow prayer warriors and fasters!! 😉
Please accept my deepest apologies for being incomunicado since our last e-mail. The trip to Redding, CA (Bethel church and school of ministry) was amazing and we saw the Lord show up on so many levels!! The atmosphere there is most definitely charged with the Spirit of God and we left with a renewed hope and greater understanding that the Lord most definitely DESIRES and WILLS for Richard to be healed, both spiritually and physically. The biggest directive Richard was given in Redding (and before) was TO REST; not to pour out at this time; he was simply to receive.
Since returning, Richard biggest struggle has been to do just that. His body is weak right now and it’s Richard’s very nature to want to inquire, encourage, pray for and/or minister to others. However, we’ve been given the clear instruction that now is not the time to pour out, bare testimonies, give frequent updates, and/or be involved in outside activities because Richard is in need of not only physical rest, but spiritual rest as well. Per Richard, the Lord instructed him to rest over two years ago and he didn’t know exactly what that meant or how to apply it to his life. Slowing down to 100 mph IS considered rest to a guy who was used to going 150+mph on any given day (whether it was work or play). However, we’ve determined (the hard way!) that when the Lord says REST, you REST. STOP means STOP.
I know I’m being extremely vague and I cannot express how much we desire to give a detailed account of exactly what brought us to this determination, but it’s more important that we obey what we know the Lord has asked Richard to do: REST. I’m doing my best to help facilitate that, which is a major factor in why this update is so late in coming. At this time, the definition of rest is: limited contact with family/friends, no computer, phone or texting. In fact, in order to remove the temptation, Richard handed me his cell phone last Wednesday (for those who know Richard know how big a step that was).
We want to assure you that God is clearly doing a healing in Richard’s life: spiritually and physically. We are fully expecting that the physical manifestation of healing is to come and we ask that you stand with us for that. We thank you for supporting us in this time of rest and for helping to remove the temptation not to.
SPECIFIC PRAYER REQUEST:
1) The most recent Pet Scan (taken a month ago) showed movement and more cancerous activity. In light of that, we are in need of wisdom in regards to pursue or not to pursue further treatment: chemo, alternative, a combination, or none at all. We know that the Lord can heal Richard at any moment but we also know that He has given the medical community understanding in many areas of the human body. Right now, we are barraged with options, suggestions, opinions, and we want to make the right decision for us; to prayerfully consider and know what is the next best step.
2) Pain Management! Richard has been experiencing chronic pain in his entire back, hips and upper thighs. Trying to deal with the pain and get pain management under control has been our main focus these past 6 weeks. {we have become sooo empathtic for people who have to live with chronic pain… it’s all-consuming at times and with it comes great fatigue for lack of sleep} We have had moments of breakthrough but nothing longstanding. We are praying for total removal of pain!
3) To resist any temptations that are contrary to rest.
4) That Richard would gain back the weight he lost and, in doing so, would be more energized.
PLEASE DON’T GROW WEARY IN THIS FIGHT! We desperately need the church body to lift us up in prayer and to intercede to the Father on our behalf. We trust and know that the Lord is meeting each of you as you take steps to meet with him on our behalf!
Our faith is strong because of Whom we have faith in and we truly desire to walk that out, but there are times when we grow tired and trust that all of you are pressing in for us at those moments!
We love and appreciate you all and know that the Lord has purposed this time in our lives for greater things; Kingdom things… even more that we can imagine! How cool to walk it through with you all – Thank you!
RANDOM INQUIRY: To help relieve the chronic aches and pains, Richard is often (sometimes 3-5 times a night) taking hot baths. This isn’t the most comfortable, however, and we had a thought of putting a jacuzzi in the back patio, so that he could stretch out and do his exercises while soaking. Does anyone have or know someone who has a jacuzzi that is just sitting vacant and would be willing to donate or let us borrow? I’m keeping an eye open on Craigslist, but thought I’d throw it out there to y’all as well. If you do, please drop me an e-mail (with subject line: jacuzzi). Thanks
-Maria Felipe (Abeyta)