Update # 5 on Jewel

September 23, 2009

Today we went to the Cancer Clinic at Vancouver General Hospital. We were impressed by the efficiency, care and compassion of the medical personnel at this first class facility.

In our meeting with the oncologist surgeon, he reviewed all the medical reports with us. The bottom line is that the analysis is inconclusive as to whether it is cancer or not. It will take surgery to answer this question.

Jewel has now been placed on an urgent surgery list. The surgeon told us (at the outside) this surgery would happen within two weeks. However, given the urgent need they will be looking for cancellations or changing schedules. They want to do the surgery as soon as possible. We are grateful for their willingness to do all they can to speed up the process.

So now we wait. We trust. We hope. We feel held securely in God’s arms.

While Jewel is exhausted from the activities of the day her spirit remains strong.

Sometimes in circumstances like these we ask: “Where is God?” It seems like the prophet Isaiah has answer for us.

In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. (Isaiah 63:9)

I spoke to Natasha in Cairo today. She will begin the next leg of journey home to Frankfurt on Friday 4:30 am (Cairo time.) Thank you Hala and Andrea for taking such good care of our daughter.

Thanks for travelling this journey of faith with us.

Geoff