Our journey began with the usual preparations for our yearly 6 week furlough to the States for Angel's followup testings and doctor visits for the prostate cancer. Suddenly we found ourselves extending our stay in order that he undergo an emergency ACDF surgery to his spine at the C5 & C6. Along with this surprise, his oncologist was unavailable and he was given an appointment with the chief of Urology who ordered extensive tests that his oncologist refused 2 years ago to order. (Our feelings regarding his refusals best left unsaid, leave it to be said we were blessed by the change). These tests revealed the compression on his spinal cord thus the need for surgery. Without this surgery he would run the risk of being paralyzed from the neck down. He also received the go for radiation treatments, another issue with the previous oncologist. Months later we still find ourselves in Florida.
Angel has been a trooper through the trials and seems to be healing well. As of today he has received his 5th treatment for radiation. We're not sure where all this is taking us but we have had to make some major decisions which are causing us great heartache, but we know it is what our Lord is asking us to do.
October 31st, I, Karen, will be returning to Peru alone in order to close up the house, sell off our belongings, give away what cannot be sold, find homes for our babies (Yana, Lulu, Chi Chi and Libby) and return to Florida to rejoin Angel on December 16th for a medical furlough to allow his spine to heal completely.
The hardest part for me (Karen) is having to leave my babies behind. But I know my Father in Heaven is already preparing wonderful homes for them. We are asking your prayer covering as this will not be an easy task for me but I know in my weakness my Lord shows Himself strong...I can do all things through Christ who is my Strength.
We are also asking your prayers to see if our Lord would have you to help us financially in this transition. We are leaving everything behind but will be shipping some boxes back. The cost of airfare, shipping and what we have had to spend on the expenditures both in Peru and here has stretched us to the max.
We have no idea, as of yet, where this new journey is taking us but we are excited knowing God's plan and purpose for us is being fulfilled and will be revealed as we continue to take these steps one day at a time. We are believing that we will remain in ministry, as pastors, missionaries and servants of our Lord. Please pray for clarity, wisdom and discernment in every move we make.
We love you all and want you to know you are prayed for and appreciated more than you'll ever know. As we walk out this furlough we invite you to continue to partner with us for as great as the journey has been, the future promises are even better.
To partner with us online click on the link above. Scroll down to preferenced for field coordinator and fill in the blank with Angel & Karen Oyola.
Or send check made out to: MV
PO Box 593550
Orlando, Florida 32859-3550
Include a note stating Preferenced for Angel & Karen Oyola
I'd like to leave you with this:
"...hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." (Romans 8:24-27)
To the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob be all the glory, honor and praise!
