From a cell to the sun

Dear prayer warriors,

Give thanks to God who gave us cells that grow and form into organs, tissue, bones, brain matter, and many other things. I take these little guys for granted for sure. Although lately a bit less. From the cell to the sun, creation does reveal God's greatness -what infinite praise is due The Lord in light of His created works.

We went and visited the canal and its locks. We saw how a way was made through the rainforest. The United States was such a presence there for so long. No wonder the currency here is the US dollar and there is so much America everywhere. It been interesting for sure. 

On the way from our shiny hotel we saw the poverty. It was widespread dirtiness, seemingly total and lawless. I used to ask "what is the justice in poverty" and why was I not born into it? In reading God's Word, I have learned that there is no justice in poverty only injustice. It cannot be written off by ignoring it or having a phony justification. 

Another notable remark in the journey is befriending Juan-Jose our driver. I have given him story after story about how Jesus came alive in my soul and turn the whole mess around. He was also surprised at the amount of help we have received from our churches since having Anna. I keep telling him that the help is actually from God through His church. God be praised. He does claim a Catholic faith and believes that everything happening in His life happens for a reason only God knows. 

May the Holy Spirit convict us all of our sin and cause us to see our desperate need for the only Savior. May Juan-Jose read God's Word, test it, and find it to be more trustworthy than his own heart. I pray for a deeper encounter with Christ for this man. 

As for us, Our appetite for healing increases as we hesitate to announce any progress. We concluded the injections today.  Regardless, Christ in us the hope of glory is more than enough. So instead of focusing on Anna's stem cell treatments showing dividends we focus on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. It has rained all day, this is our last day here. So we have had the Brooklyn Tabernacle choir on repeat as we sang praises and lifted up spontaneous praying to our God from the comfort of our little Panamanian hotel room. Praying with children is a gift from God. Singing to the Lord is a sweet gift too. 

In speaking with Lindsey back in our fundraising days I remember specifically feeling led not to ask people for money for the Stem Cell treatments. Mainly because I felt people weren't properly educated about it. I'm thankful for this wisdom of restraint because really it's just between us and God. We don't have to give account to any sort of person investing for a must-see miracle. Gods purpose is bigger still. Instead we asked for financial help to fund the upcoming intensive therapy trip to Portland, and many have helped for that it's over half funded. God has made a way!! We are looking to all the rich mercy God has for Anna. And Because of grace we ask for more mercy for Anna. 

Please Pray with us:

-That we would thank God for His purpose and love Him for making our trip a joy, a vacation, a unique family time and a time of receiving great help from Dennis and Nancy.  
-For continued healing of Anna's vision, Cerebral palsy, GERD, and cognition
-For an increased ability for her to communicate with us. 
-For a safe return tomorrow, making our connecting flight in Huston and that we could be able to sit together, as of now we are scattered. 
-that any temptation to doubt and regret our sacrifice made to see Anna healed would be squashed by knowing our faith is being refined in God's Fire currently.