On Oct. 15th, we returned from a short trip to Kiev, Ukraine. It was a trip to say good-bye to our lives as missionaries there after 13 years with SEND International. The trip was everything we would have wanted it to be: Ben and Josh had the time of their lives with old buddies that they had grown up with - sleep overs, laser tag, soccer game, etc - as well as sorting thru their stuff to give away or ship and getting their school work done that they were missing. At one point, Mark and I reminisced of why we enjoyed our work in Ukraine so much - because we were having so much fun with the students at Kyiv Theological Seminary (KTS) where Mark had been a Professor of Theology. We had one group over the home where we were staying at, another group Mark met with one evening along with individual meetings during the day and I saw all my favorite student wives, colleagues and missionary friends. We are esp. thankful for our colleagues - Eric and Josie with whom we stayed and Lois who gave us an Open House where we were able to see our SEND team and seminary faculty. Anatoly (President of KTS) and Galina also came back into town just in time for the Open House for whom we were so glad to see. We will miss everyone very much.
On Oct. 4th, I (Bonnie) had my last checkup which was filled with good news. You see, we relocated back to the States from Ukraine because of a recurrence of cancer in me. However, after chemo and a current RX I'm taking, all the scans show NO detectable cancer anywhere! My doctor is careful not to say a miracle has taken place because those at my stage of cancer (4) which has metastasised will always have the danger of the cancer still lingering and spreading once again - it may not happen for many many years or sooner than we would like. Regardless - we are thanking the Lord and all who prayed for how God has chosen to show His grace to us thru these great test results for now. My doctor, Dr. Chow, doesn't want to see me again until January. In the meantime, I will stay on my RX and once a month go to City of Hope where I'm being treated to receive an IV of aredia to strengthen my bones - tomorrow in fact.
Tonight, life is peaceful - Mark is off teaching an evening class at Talbot School of Theology of Biola University, where he is now a Professor, Ben is busy getting a science project done, Josh finished his history project and is now playing on his Game Cube. God has been so good to us.
"For in You, Lord, I live and move and have my being. I am Your offspring." Acts 17:28
