Update

I am so sorry this is overdue.


I have been attending school until one in the afternoon then resting at my home for the last week. I have been without internet access (during the the afternoon and nights) or phone service. My phone was stolen (from the cafe, I believe) and the electricity has been on and off due to some very strong thunderstorms in the afternoons. The workload of the school is quite heavy, and I have been left exhausted.


This is the health update:


The bleeding has halted. I am no longer taking Vitamin K shots so that I can see how my body does without the extra coagulation. So far, I have been entirely without bleeding for two days. This is only the Lord. I am taking a medication to fight what they believe is a very severe bacterial infection (that causes bleeding ulcers) three times daily. If I continue to heal, then it is most probable this was the cause of all the blood loss, and that I will RECUPERATE completely. This is a relief, to say the least. The doctor called yesterday, and I will be talking with her tomorrow at her office tomorrow afternoon regarding the results the biopsies of both the polyp and of the wall of my colon. Please be praying. If I do have something like ulcerative colitis or something unusual going on with the growth in my colon, the results will be a tell all.


I have three days left of this medication I am taking, and am so thankful it is almost over. I constantly feel tired and have a pretty constant headache (both "normal" side effects of the med). Last night I slept 13 hours. I am getting the rest I need here and am so thankful for my host family who understands my need for rest and works around my schedule to feed me. They definitely do not have to do that, but they are so willing.


I am feeling my energy increase more and more by the day as I regain strength and blood. Not being able to communicate with my loved ones back home has been one of the most difficult/stressful parts.


I will be receiving a phone upon arrival to my worksite this Sunday in Panajachel (I'll let you guys know when I arrive to my clinic as soon as I can.) From my understanding, internet will be less frequently available in my next city.


I have been three weeks without attending an official church and this has been affecting me as well. I am having Faith Outreach Withdrawals like nobody's business. We are made with a longing for community. Some hide it better than others. I, for one, don't hide it well. I miss the body of Christ so much it makes me want to scream at times. The church builds you up and edifies you and spurs you on in your faith. At this point, I am feeling kind of like a plant that's gotten taken out of the sun and the owner forget to water it each week. A little dry, maybe a little shrivily, and longing for some sun. I went to the roof the other night and played some worship music in English, and I couldn't even get through the first song. I just started sobbing. Not crying, but sobbing. Real talk. This is much more stressful than anticipated and I am fighting for strength each day. I know things will get better. But for now bear with me in patience as much as possible.


I love you guys extraordinarily so... Your prayers and e-mails mean the world to me. I save some of them and re-read them because they build me up. This week, I will begin the endeavor or returning all e-mails sent.


"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."


I am praying for this for myself and for you guys as well as I deal with limited resources and energy here in Guatemala. 


Love,


Cody