PASTOR JIMS HEALTH

Dear Church Family,

Thank you so much for your prayers for Pastor Jim and for our family. The outpouring of e-mails, Facebook messages, texts and phone calls have been overwhelming. Friday, December 2nd, Pastor Jim was admitted to UT Hospital with prelimiary test restults showing signs of malaria, most likely contracted while on his recent trip to Africa. 

A long time family friend, Blake Bible, ended up caring for him while in the ER. He received excellent care from Blake, and the family received some very needed comic relief.  That evening he was admitted to the Critical Care Unit, where he remains.

On Saturday, the pathology report confirmed that Pastor Jim does indeed have Malaria. The identification of the specific type is yet to be determined, but it is likely the most dangerous form. This type of malaria is life threatening.

By Saturday evening, we had seen God's hand already at work in problems with his heart and acid levels....both of which were at critical places. There were still several other concerns that we prayed to see God touch. We sent out a call for prayer about these issues: 

-Resolution of Malaria infection
-Heart rhythm to stay normal
-Abdominal pain, nausea, and hiccups to resolve
-Lactic acid levels to continue to decrease
-Platelet levels to increase
-Bilirubin (jaundice) levels to start to decline
-Hemaglobin (iron) levels to stay up  
-Return of normal energy and appetite
-No long term problems

Sunday Afternoon we had a time of worship and prayer in the UT Chapel. The family was especially blessed to spend time with a large group from our Heritage family and friends. Pastor Jim and Peggy were able to join from his CCU room via Face Time and were extremely blessed and comforted. At one point while watching, he said, "This is beautiful." 

Pastor Jim showed signs of clinical improvement that afternoon. He was able to be out of bed and into his bed-side chair. Additionally, he started to eat...chocolate ice cream! By Sunday night, we saw answered prayers as his lactic acid level lowered, his urine out put increased and his parasite level dropped.

As of Monday, December 5th, Pastor Jim is feeling slightly better with most of his levels moving to positive numbers. However, there are several areas of concern that need urgent prayer:
1. Pray for increase in oxygen levels and over all easier time breathing
2. Pray for decrease in his blood pressure
3. Pray for improvement of his coagulation factors and platelets

Here is one of the songs we worshipped with Sunday afternoon. We pray it encourages your heart. 

Love to all,
The Family