Dear Prayer Warriors,
Can you believe that our prayers have been answered so that I am actually flying to Romania on Wednesday (yes, this Wednesday), April 27th??? God continues to make a way! The flight will take me to Vancouver, then nine hours to Frankfurt, and then with a little plane to Cluj where I'll be met by Paul and Tanya Gericke and taken to Camp Falcon Rock. I'm so excited (when I'm not so tired)!
Meanwhile, God continues to "show His Hands at work". My passport came in a timely manner. I have a new visa card that has a lower international exchange rate and hopefully my new bank card will come tomorrow. All the paperwork is done as soon as I remember my password for registering overseas. (We tried to register and they said I was already in the system...duh)
I had a most exciting last visit with my physiotherapist. My eyelid and cheek are still swollen in spite of faithful massaging, cold packs on the eye and resting (well probably not enough resting) but John had some new ideas to help my lymph capillaries find new ways to drain. He suggested using athletic tape in strategic places on my face at night to encourage the right direction. I can even wear these "fingers of tape" during the day. (The Bergman kids will have quite a surprise when their teacher appears wearing fluorescent pink fingers of tape during the school day!) Another suggestion included an eye patch he created out of athletic gauze and little pieces of foam. I wear it with an eye mask at night to put a slight pressure on the eyelid all night long. We'll see how that works. I'm trying it out tonight!
Meanwhile my three rubbermaid bins are all packed (and repacked and repacked) with school books and clothes. Only my suitcase and carry-on are left. I've never had to pack for four seasons before and am appalled at how much space sweaters and boots take up. Even with a vacuum bag, I've used more space than I expected. Some of those fun books I found will just have to wait until next time.
One more praise to God who loves us so very much! My dream was to have family pictures taken professionally before I leave. (After all, my dad is 91) Our family could never agree on a time. Finally on Easter Monday we were able to get some SPECTACULAR pictures taken. What photographer works on Easter Monday? Someone who has had all other plans cancelled and is a good friend. We couldn't have asked for a better date, time or result. God loves to delight us with special surprises, doesn't He?
We are truly blessed to be His Children and to know our time is in His capable, loving Hands. Thank you again (and again, and again) for your faithful prayers.
Praise God for:
1. getting all the paperwork and tickets completed and arranged for this journey. Finally on my way!!
2. medical staff who care enough to take time to really help.
3. friends who have helped to take pictures, send books, use Amazon Prime to get things, etc. etc.
Ask God for:
1. a safe, uneventful, restful journey
2. continued healing of my eyelid and energy level
3. a good time of settling into Romania
Valuing your prayers!
In His Hands,
Elsie