TRUST

by Doug Roland

We have received several inquiries from you about the absence of blogs or e-mails and wondering if something is wrong. Something is, and we have been foolishly keeping it from you. We started this blog over a year ago so you could journey with us. Please forgive us for leaving you out. When something goes wrong, it takes all your attention.

Things go wrong from time to time. And, if more than one thing goes wrong at the same time, then they feed on each other and threaten to drag you down. The idea of going to Africa to do God's work sounds exciting, exotic, challenging and risky. It is all those things. Very little that matters over the long term is done without risk. One must expect it. You can do little more than realize that something is coming sooner or later. When it does, there is no place to hide. In our case, it was a combination of an old health nemesis and emotional/trust issues arising out of our work.

For those who don't know, Cheri was among some of the first health care workers to suffer a severe allergy to latex and have it called that. And she is one of a smaller group that had it affect her skin so badly. Before, it was largely ignored. This was in 1994. Since then, most major hospitals have created non-latex facilities and rooms. Most dentists now stock non-latex gloves. She was referred to the best allergist in Tampa. She suggested to him that certain foods will trigger her symptoms also. He scoffed at her. Three days later, she was in full blown Stephens-Johnson Syndrome. After 10 days in the hospital, and being seen by a cadre of doctors, there was no diagnosis. She was stabilized, but her chronic itching persisted and could only be soothed by steroids, anything but a cure. For two years she went to a group of world class immunologists who did diagnose it but could not figure out a cure. As far as we know, they still haven't. I recently read on the Mayo Clinic website that "Currently, there are no standard recommendations for treating Stephens-Johnson Syndrome." Today, the link between food allergies and latex allergy is widely recognized. In a sense, she is a pioneer though she would probably trade that in for a good night's sleep.

On the day before this Easter, she was having a knife-like pain her eye from a condition first discovered six or seven years ago. It is treated with an ointment and she was out. She called her eye doctor here but he was gone for the entire week. She knew it needed treatment quickly so we went to the ER ("casualty" here ) to get the prescription. It took thirty minutes. In that time, her old invisible and airborne friend, latex, had a field day and it has seriously debilitated her. Her skin looks like someone set fire to it and it won't go out.

We have not panicked. It could have happened most anytime, anywhere. There is nothing really new about it. Beginning in 1994, she spent two years being treated by modern medicine. Eventually, she found a homeopathic doctor in Tampa. Though it took months, she ultimately obtained relief. The methods did not involve prescription medicine. She eventually weaned herself off the steroids.

Through contacts here, we were able to find two homeopathic therapists, one of which is an MD in Durban, the nearest large city. Interestingly, both had the same opinion of what was happening and took generally the same slow track, there being no fast track. The doctor is usually available by phone which is rare. The results are coming in and they are promising. With the help of a variety of homeopathic medicines she is slowly bringing her system back to normal. There are well-stocked, sophisticated health food shops in the area.

As recovery was just beginning, we entered the final hectic three weeks of the semester. The long Easter break broke the momentum at the seminary. The energy and vision was put on hold. Nothing felt right. We went through the motions. We became dissolutioned over some programs that were not launched or were launched then terminated, and there was a disappointment over the planning of another program. In hindsight, we were overly sensitive due to the health problem, thereby exacerbating our few minor complaints. Thank goodness the term has now ended.

It would be a mistake to think that we are discouraged. We are all flawed human beings. If it all seemed perfect, then we would really be concerned. We are dedicated to our work on the field education program. We are blessed by wonderful fellow staff members. Our lives are enriched daily by our seminarians who are at once frustrating, sometimes irresponsible, but always joyous and loving. They support us with their prayers. Two of them, both middle-aged women, stopped by today to pray with her, clean up the kitchen, make her soup . . . etc.

Our semester is over and our workload has diminished for the next 7-8 weeks. The conditions for recovery have improved. It's a perfect time for her to recharge and heal. Already, she'll tell you that she feels much better now than she did in 1994.

Our faith is not so shallow that we would tuck in our tales and go home. We are convinced that Cheri is getting the best help available. These methods were successful before and they will be again. So don't think for a minute that we are packing it in. One only need to read Romans 5: 3-5 to be hopeful. We have great therapists, a huge and involved community that loves and supports us just as many of you do. We have work to do and the more we do it, the more we realize that we can make a significant contribution to this country on its long road to healing.

Keep us in your prayers.

Trust and never doubt.

He never failed us yet.