February 2022 Prayer Letter

News from Norman:

We are so blessed to be able to find some answers and receive help concerning Mary’s health on this medical furlough. Although she still does suffer from migraines, Mary’s neurologist did say that the full effect of her Botox treatments may not be seen till after the third round of treatments. Please pray that all the details will work out for Mary to receive her next round of treatments in Greece around May 16.

As missionaries, we often are not quite sure where we will be staying while traveling for furlough. We have been so encouraged at how, in a very short time, we were able to have housing arrangements come together and made available to us during our time here. We have stayed at missionary housing in Michigan, near Chicago, and even a parsonage in San Francisco.

While in San Francisco, I have been able to assist with the garden work at the parsonage and have observed several birds. One finch, in particular, was flying in and out of a small tree many times. As I looked more closely, I detected that it was busy gathering twigs. All those flights that the bird made back and forth will eventually be worth it, for the nest will house their much-anticipated offspring. This past January marks 21 years of living in Albania. We have made more than a few trips back and forth from Albania to America. We may not carry twigs in our mouth, but we do transport the precious seed of the Gospel that produces a much-anticipated spiritual offspring. And in the end, just like the song, it will be worth it all!

We were able to visit Mary’s family and mine, as well as some of Mary’s relatives in Michigan and my siblings and aunt in California. We spent some quality time with Mary’s brother, Pastor Jonathan Earnhart, and family. It was such a blessing to soak up family time, as well as attend his church, New Heights Baptist Church. As missionaries, we do not see our siblings, nor our nieces and nephews often. Our 16-year-old niece, Amanda, told her mom, “This is one of the few times in my life that I have made real memories with Aunt Mary and Uncle Norm.” Amanda is planning to visit Albania for her senior trip!

We have been greatly encouraged by each church we have visited this furlough and are so grateful for all the heartfelt prayers and support on our behalf. We are looking forward to our return to Albania on April 1 to be reunited with our dear church family.

News from Mary:

Thank you for your prayers for my chronic migraines and my treatment at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. I had many tests done in November and December 2021 to determine why I had been losing consciousness and suffering with such horrific migraines. They have found that I have a very rapid heart rate when I stand or if I am dehydrated. I was diagnosed with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome).

I have Hyperadrenergic Pots meaning that the stress hormone norepinephrine is high, and my sympathetic nervous system is in flight-or-fight mode. I have been put on beta blockers to control the rapid heart rate. I also must drink 80 oz. of water daily and take salt or sodium tablets.

I was taken off the bi-monthly shots (Aimovig) for the migraines. My body was having many side effects from this medication. The new treatment now is 25-31 injections of Botox to my forehead, head, neck, and shoulders. This is done every 12 weeks. Botox is not taken internally, so I have not had any side effects. I received the second treatment on February 21 at Mayo.

We have received confirmation that I can get the treatment every 12 weeks in Thessaloniki, Greece, at St. Luke’s Hospital. I had a small hernia surgery done there many years ago. We can drive down to Thessaloniki in around six hours. This is a huge blessing, as the other hospitals are in Germany and would require a plane flight.

Thank you for your prayers for my health and continued healing. I have seen fewer migraines since I began Botox. I have around 8-10 migraines a month now, which is an improvement. Lord willing, this number will continue to decrease.

We are excited to be returning to Albania April 1. We have much work to do with the children’s ministry and the youth ministry. Praise God for the college and career group that is growing and reaching others. We are planning to begin a parents’ ministry to the unbelievers whose adult children attend our church. We need your prayers for these dear parents to see their need for the Savior.