An ancient latin hymn (Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est) says that "Wherever there is love and charity, there God truly is." We experienced the presence of His love in the last week as Liam was hospitalized with high fever and Bill cut his trip to the US short to come home to Russia.
After Olivia and Gillian had fallen to a bad cold before Bill left, Liam got a high fever (104*F) that just wouldn't quit. Seeing that this was not the same virus the girls had been dealing with Priscilla took him to the American Medical Clinic not far from us in Saint Petersburg, Russia. By that time he was dehydrated, so they put him on an IV with an antibiotic drip. Friends helped Priscilla juggle the household duties with her vigil at the hospital, but she was getting worn down quickly. Liam was in a lot of pain and difficult to handle. And without a concrete diagnosis, it was hard to discern what to do, esp. from a distance.
Bill was able to change his return flight quickly and inexpensively and rushed off to the airport on the day his second set of meetings were to begin; it was an Imago Christi Gathering where he would be leading the main training modules. The leader and community graciously let me go. No one is indispensable, and other community members covered admirably.
In other news the conference center (St. Malo's in Allenspark, CO) where Imago Christi usually holds its Gatherings suffered a serious fire the day Bill left. We were blessed that the Lord had led the community to try out a new venue (The Potter's Inn, Divide, CO)!
Bill arrived home in Russia Tuesday evening and went straight to the hospital. Liam was doing better, but a lower grade fever was still persisting. Bill slept off his jetlag in Liam's room, and helped him through more tests and the hospital food. Meanwhile Priscilla was able to get more rest and bring order and normalcy to the girls at home. After three more nights Liam's temperature came down and they released him to recover further at home with various meds.
Priscilla and the kids have often made the sacrifice of letting Bill/Dad go on these ministry trips. It was a powerful message of his love for them to put everything else aside and sacrifice the ministry for them and their needs.
After Olivia and Gillian had fallen to a bad cold before Bill left, Liam got a high fever (104*F) that just wouldn't quit. Seeing that this was not the same virus the girls had been dealing with Priscilla took him to the American Medical Clinic not far from us in Saint Petersburg, Russia. By that time he was dehydrated, so they put him on an IV with an antibiotic drip. Friends helped Priscilla juggle the household duties with her vigil at the hospital, but she was getting worn down quickly. Liam was in a lot of pain and difficult to handle. And without a concrete diagnosis, it was hard to discern what to do, esp. from a distance.
Bill was able to change his return flight quickly and inexpensively and rushed off to the airport on the day his second set of meetings were to begin; it was an Imago Christi Gathering where he would be leading the main training modules. The leader and community graciously let me go. No one is indispensable, and other community members covered admirably.
In other news the conference center (St. Malo's in Allenspark, CO) where Imago Christi usually holds its Gatherings suffered a serious fire the day Bill left. We were blessed that the Lord had led the community to try out a new venue (The Potter's Inn, Divide, CO)!
Bill arrived home in Russia Tuesday evening and went straight to the hospital. Liam was doing better, but a lower grade fever was still persisting. Bill slept off his jetlag in Liam's room, and helped him through more tests and the hospital food. Meanwhile Priscilla was able to get more rest and bring order and normalcy to the girls at home. After three more nights Liam's temperature came down and they released him to recover further at home with various meds.
Priscilla and the kids have often made the sacrifice of letting Bill/Dad go on these ministry trips. It was a powerful message of his love for them to put everything else aside and sacrifice the ministry for them and their needs.
No comments:
Post a Comment