Hey fam,
I have two blog posts in the works right now, but desperately need to send this out to you all quickly because I have a specific prayer request that has little to do with my ministry here.
First of all, I'm in Cape Town, South Africa working in the kitchen at a special school which I'll explain later. I see the beach every few days and mountains daily so I think I'm doing pretty well.
The real reason for this update is to update you a bit on my family. My grandfather, as many of you know, was put in the nursing home in May because his Alzheimer’s was getting in the way of his ability to live healthily. This was a very hard time on my family and has continued to be a struggle as decisions have been made to place him closer to my aunt and mother and make sure he has an affordable room along with so many other things.
Before I left on this incredible trip (more about that later), he was in a cycle of having good days with a slow decline over several days until he would stay in bed for a day, then be good for several days again. On my last visit, which was at least a week before I left, the charge nurses were having trouble convincing him to eat an adequate amount.
I found out via my mom’s Facebook a few days ago that he has since been put into the hospital because he had bed sores that were not healing and has lost an incredible amount of weight.
According to my aunt’s update today, he is being sent back to the nursing home, but Hospice is coming in because his sores are still not healing and he is very uncomfortable. She said he is down to 124 pounds, which is obviously not very healthy for any man.
Due to several circumstances, I was unable to say goodbye to him before I left and I can’t begin to explain how upset I am about that. This guy is my hero, without getting incredibly sappy on you. I have put a letter in the mail to him, but with me being in South Africa and he in Georgia, the travel time of the average letter is obviously much longer than if we were on the same continent.
I understood before I left that my granddaddy would probably die before I return next July, but it doesn’t make this process any easier. I would honestly love to see him again, but I know God has other plans.
My selfish prayer right now is that he would be healthy enough to read my letter and understand it and know how much I love and miss him.
My other prayer is that God’s will would be done and my family would be prepared. As much as I would love for his health to return and for him to be around for many more years, I also understand the gravity of Alzheimer’s on an individual and on their family.
To have him confused and lonely because he can’t remember anyone or even himself breaks my heart. I also know how difficult that would be on my mother and aunt.
If you all could join me in prayer and in supporting and encouraging my family, I would greatly appreciate it. I’m also not ashamed to say that I will definitely need your prayers through this process as well.
Fundraising update – I am still $2,800 away from my goal of $11,000 needed by December 1. Donations can be made online via the “DONATE HERE!” button on the left or by check. Checks can be sent (and made out to) Adventures in Missions OR sent and made out to me at 514 Seminole St Perry, GA 31069.
