Medical lab error or power of prayer?

I heard from my brother last night about 10:30 and they are rejoicing!  As many of you know, yesterday morning Elizabeth (Liz) had routine bloodwork that showed her hemoglobin had dropped significantly.  In addition, the new kidney appeared to have stopped producing urine.  With these two "red flags," she was sent for a CAT scan and ultrasound.  We sent out a rather urgent petition for prayer.  Before the test results were available her surgeon told them that he wasn't "overly concerned."  We prayed, nonetheless.

Late evening, they repeated the hemoglobin test and it was NORMAL!  The lab said the earlier test was an error.   The ultrasound results showed nothing of concern.  In addition, they realized that the lack of urine was due to a small blockage in the bladder.  The kidney was WORKING, but nothing was exiting.

By 10:30 pm, she was getting ready to go for a late evening stroll and had been eating solid food.  So, I am pondering the question--Lab error or power of  prayer?  We don't have to know exactly what happened, but we can't deny we serve an awesome and powerful God.  Our God is healer! 

We're so grateful for your prayers and I will continue to keep you updated on her progress.  Today is my sister's birthday and she should be heading home this morning.

Transplant Update

This morning we found out that Elizabeth's kidney has almost completely stopped producing urine.  Obviously, this is not the news we wanted to hear.  She has had a CAT scan and an ultrasound, as well as several blood tests.  The blood tests are within normal ranges; the other test results are not yet available.

This could be the first signs that her body is rejecting the kidney or it could just be a temporary "wrinkle."  At this point, my brother said that the surgeon is "not overly concerned."  We are holding on to his optimism and God's promises!  Please pray that the kidney wakes up and gets back to work!

Two days post surgery

We visited both Kristi and Elizabeth today.  Kristi was sitting up in the chair beside the bed and trying to eat the wonderful hospital made mashed potatoes, but not having much fun.  When the surgeon stopped by to see Elizabeth today he told her she could move out of the PICU this afternoon.  Her kidney is functioning well and, as a result, her levels are dropping in to normal ranges--something she hasn't seen since her kidneys failed more than one and a half years ago.

It's so amazing how God knits together our bodies so that a kidney from a willing donor can be transplanted in a recipient and the "kidney" immediately does what it was created to do. 

Thanks for praying; keep it up!  There's still a long road to recovery for both of them, but we're praising God for his provision this far!

Happy, happy 2nd birthday

Happy SECOND birthday to our sweet Josiah!  Wish we were in California to celebrate with him, Maleia and their parents!

Saturday morning transplant update

Just talked with my brother, Ron, and he said that Liz is doing well this morning (as well as can be expected after a 8 hour surgery.)  Kristi is struggling with pain and nausea.  Please continue to pray for both of them as there are still some rough days ahead.

Transplant is Complete!

Surgery is over!  Doctor's said it went "peachy keen."  Elizabeth has been moved to the Pediatric ICU for recovery.  Ron and Jane should be able to see her in 60-90 minutes after she wakes up.  Kristi is out of recovery and in her room.  Her husband and girls went up to see her about 45 minutes ago.  Praising the Lord for his goodness and mercy!

Surgery Update

Surgery is going as planned.  The transplant coordinator was just out letting us know that they have finished removing both of Elizabeth's kidneys.  Kristi's kidney has also been removed and looks good. 

Kristi will be done in about an hour and moved to recovery.  It will be another 4+ hours for Elizabeth.

Thanks for praying . . . . God is good.

Surgery Waiting Room

This will be a day of waiting . . . . .

Elizabeth, my niece, and Kristi, my sister were admitted to Children's Mercy Hospital yesterday afternoon in order to prepare for today's surgery.  Ron and Jane, my brother and sister-in-law, spent the night last night.  They said that nurses woke Elizabeth up at 3:30 this morning to start the process.   She left the room about 7:30 to head down to surgery.  They will do her nefrectomy (removal of both kidneys) first.  Kristi will go down to surgery about 9:00 a.m. as her surgical process is much shorter.

All together, they are telling us Liz's surgery will take from 6-8 hours, while Kristi's will be 3-4.  Liz will go to the ICU after recovery; Kristi will go to a regular room.

Thank you for praying along with us today.

Transplant Surgery Tomorrow

My brother, Ron, posted this status and photo on Facebook yesterday, 

"Last day of dialysis for my daughter Liz, hopefully forever. Back to the hospital tomorrow morning to prepare for her kidney transplant on Friday. Thanks for all your prayers here-to-fore. Would appreciate continued prayers for the operation, upcoming 8-10 day hospital stay and for her donor, Liz's Aunt Kristi, my younger sister. Forever grateful."  

Please remember to pray for both of them tomorrow.  We will be spending the day in the surgery waiting room of Children's Mercy Hospital.  Ron says it will be a 6-7 hour surgery, so it will be a long day.

Sunday at ALBC

We spent Sunday morning worshiping at Abundant Life Baptist Church, our home church and sending church.  We were able to share our ministry with a 930 am adult Bible study group.  It's always great to be at "home" and catch up with friends.

Touch down Kansas City (International Airport)

No matter how easy the itinerary looks, a day of travel is always more tiring than a regular day!  But, when you add in an extra hour in a holding pattern over the Gulf of Mexico waiting for the weather to clear in Houston which results in losing the layover cushion you had to get through customs and eat dinner, rushing like crazy to get from the international terminal to the gate, finding out the connecting flight was delayed (small moment of thankfulness that we would have a few minutes to get something to eat), eating at McDonalds, gate checking your carryon bags because the plane from Houston to Kansas City is a mini, finally arriving an hour late in KC and discovering that one of your checked bags is still in Houston, making a stop at the grocery store at 11:30 pm to get contact  solution, then you know your travel day is longer and more tiring than normal.

All of that to say, we are thankful and happy to be starting our 2 weeks here in Lee's Summit.  We are reporting to our sending church, collecting baby items for a public children's hospital and orphanage in San Salvador and catching up with family and friends.  If you live in the Kansas City area and would like to donate baby items  (or money), message me at parrisinelsalvador@gmail.com and I will send you a list of the things we need.

Happy Anniversary Vida Nueva

Here in Central America, church anniversaries are celebrated every year.  I really like this idea!  It gives the pastors and congregation a time to reflect on what God has done in and through the church in the last 5, 10, 15 (fill in the blank) years and to dream about the future!

Yesterday, we celebrated the 22nd anniversary of Iglesia Bautista Vida Nueva.  Pastor Steve Kern took a minute to explain that we pattern our annual celebration on Jehova's message to the nation of Israel to celebrate their rescue from Egypt every year during the passover season.  As Christians, we no longer celebrate passover, instead we celebrate Christ's resurrection.  But, the idea of remembering what God has done for the church (from one year to the next) is one that serves the church well.

These days, the church meets at four different sites and has six distinct services.  This Sunday we were 1000+ strong at the Crown Plaza Hotel.  Wow!  The music, the historical video, the message and the fellowship were awesome.  I've included a couple of pictures from the celebration!

When you read this, take a moment to reflect on the history of the church you attend.  When was the last time you looked back to the rich history of your church and clearly saw the hand of God moving.  If you haven't done that lately, I encourage you to try it--it's a great way to build your faith!

"Better is one day in Your house than 1000 elsewhere!

 Praying for our newest missionaries who are going on a 2-week survey trip to Bogota, Colombia.

 A view of part of the crowd.

 Pastor Julio bringing the message from the book of Esra.

 Birthday cake and the Salvadoran birthday song!  

Five pastors blowing out the 22 candles!

Cake for everyone!  Happy birthday to Vida Nueva!  

Residency Cards in the Wallet

Yea!  Picked up our 3-month temporary, but new residency cards this morning.  They are good through September 12, 2013.  When we go back in early September they should have our 9-month permanent cards ready.

Thanks for praying us through this process!

Residency Update 2

We received a call this afternoon from Immigration Services that they found another error in one of our translated documents.  I don't know why they called us--that really isn't  normal to give us a "heads up."  Perhaps it's because so many people have been praying for us during this difficult process.

So, before we go to our appointment in the morning we will make one more trip to the translator's office to pickup the corrected, corrected document.

Please pray that once they have this document in hand, we will be able to pay the renewal fee and have our pictures taken for our new cards.  Next step--they need to print our cards so that we can pick them up no later than next Wednesday, June 19, the day before we leave for the states.

Please also pray for Jeff and Paula who have run into problems with their renewal application process, as well.

School's Out for Summer!

I finished the school year yesterday . . . . what a day it was.  Gifts all around, their favorite music and a pizza party for 5th grade.

Here are the last day pictures.

 1st Graders (3 were missing)

 2nd Graders (1 was missing)

 3rd Graders (3 were missing)

 4th Graders

5th Graders