Facing Problems

[Page 46]

     It was a genuine thrill to me to be able to share with brethren in the Twelfth Annual Missions Conference near Goiania, Goias, Brazil. This is a gathering of brethren from Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, and it was my good fortune to share a room with Reuel Lemmons who was the other guest speaker. I was deeply impressed by his ability and thinking.

     My trip home was a nightmare caused by cancelled planes, storms in the eastern part of the United States, and blizzard conditions generally. But I finally flew into Saint Louis, on the afternoon of January 9. That evening I was too tired to work so Nell and I talked for several hours while she briefed me on long distance telephone calls which came during my absence and went over some of the important letters which required attention. Both of us were glad to be together again and I was ready to begin work the next day on the accumulation of tasks which were of such challenging proportions.

     While I was shaving early next morning I heard her fall in the bathroom and when I reached her she was unconscious. I worked prayerfully and earnestly and just when I thought she would not arouse she regained consciousness. She was in such pain and agony she could not stand to be moved and lay on the tile floor for more than thirty minutes. I worked a throw rug under her body and dragged her to the bedroom but was powerless to place her on the bed and she could not help herself. When the ambulance finally arrived she had been lying on the floor for almost three hours, the pain unabated.

     In Barnes Hospital emergency room the doctors worked throughout the day to determine the cause. Every known test was given without results, and she was taken back to the X-ray room again in the evening. She remained in the hospital for ten days and as I write this is still weak and suffering some pain, especially when she moves too quickly or changes positions.

     Since it requires both of us working many hours daily to keep things going, when one is unable to assist, the task becomes too great for the other. In addition to the mail which had piled up while I was in South America, letters continued to come in at the rate of forty per day. It became impossible to process them and I fell far behind in mailing out books as well as other tasks. It is hoped that by the time you read this we will have caught up and be proceeding as we like to do, but we eagerly hope that you will forgive us for any inconvenience. It was certainly unintentional.

     We learned a great many lessons which make it possible for us to have compassion on others. The fabulous cost of hospitalization in a $65.00 per day room, coupled with the use of technical equipment, and as many as four doctors assisting on a case, makes us realize how desparate men and women must become who linger in such institutions for several months. But God was good to us. The physicians were helpful and kind and the nurses gracious. Best of all, Nell is home again, and while I am doing the cooking in between hours of writing articles and taking care of needs, she has resumed work on the subscription list as she can. What a thrill to have her home again! We solicit your prayers and understanding and we give grateful thanks for all of you. What would we ever do without our brothers and sisters in Jesus?