I try to keep this blog focused on my life and ministry in Uganda, though sometimes there must be some cross-over into real life. As I’ve been thinking about this post, I’ve realized that I can talk about things decently enough, but writing about it is much harder-perhaps because it’s so concrete?
My mom has been in the hospital for the last couple weeks, and according to her, she “just needed to get some things straightened out.” Saturday, four days ago, I learned that she has stage 4 cancer spread throughout her body. To say that this caught me by surprise is an understatement of the greatest proportions. To say it knocked me for a loop is in the same order of magnitude.
So, I’m flying out tonight to go be with her. I’ll have more to say later about the pastoral response here, which is similar, yet very different, from the American response. Right now, I’m grateful that I’ve accomplished almost everything I had planned with my students (and that technology allows us to cover any gaps), for my supervisor’s support in deferring my doctoral work for the rest of the year, and UCU’s gracious love and concern for both Mom and me. I’m in a bit of a daze, but God’s grace has been magnificent in getting me through so much.
Please pray that I arrive “in good time,” as we say, and for God’s hand to be clearly evident in every part of her care. Even in the pain, I see God working in so many ways, for which I am eternally grateful. His mercies are new every morning.
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