Proclaim Liberty.us

“On Memorial Day the flag is raised briskly to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains only until noon.  It is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day. The half-staff position remembers the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service of their country.  At noon their memory is raised by the living, who resolves not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.”

A beautiful sight the many American flags standing at attention, waving in the breeze, filling the air with the clapping of her stripes forever holding those fifty white stars in unison remembering once again the ‘Cost of Freedom.’  Posting these colors are American Patriots on duty, guardians of our Freedom giving countless hours of their lives to insure the ‘Fallen Hero’ or the ‘Veteran’ receives America’s honor and respect.  Time in suspension nothing more important than being in the flag line with these hallowed colors remembering a life given for liberty.  Their hand clutching this sacred symbol, always with reverence, silently watching over our American Heroes the only sounds the continuous rippling of the red, white, and blue while in the distance the mournful bell tolling in sorrow for another son or daughter who gave all to this grateful nation.  New meaning to ‘America the Beautiful’ resound in the souls of these Patriots never forgetting where their freedom comes from, and how America still stands Free because of the blood of her Heroes. The pledge to this flag said with a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye for I have seen the price paid for my freedom.   I hear each toll of the bell echoing its grief, and see each ripple of the flags vowing never to forget the faces of these ‘Heroes’.  Dressing the field of stones with honor while awaiting the arrival of ‘Our American Hero’ I have viewed our flags proudly, shouting, “This is my Hero forever written their name on the heart of a nation; never will we fail to remember your sacrifice.” Always will the flag fly free because of you.  Each toll of the bell lets the world know another name will be forever etched in the soul of the bell.  I have just described the scene I see every time the Patriot Guard Riders form a flag line and the Liberty Bell tolls at the funeral of an “American Hero”.  Over the past few years I have experienced this picture now embedded in my soul hundreds of times.

“David, you will never ring the Liberty Bell again.” We were lost for the next few minutes of conversation as both David and I stare into each other’s eyes, questioning if our brains just heard those words come out of someone’s mouth or were we both in the same dream.   Looking at my surroundings again brought me back to reality -  yes, I am in a room with David and a person in that white jacket just said those words pronounced very clearly, and yes, I am awake.  That sentence still echoing in my head while David is asking questions, I am just sitting there my first thought “God is faithful and the devil is a liar.”  I honestly cannot tell you what happened next except David and I are leaving that room and walking to the car.  Just three days earlier we were told by a different doctor that David had pancreatic cancer and here are our options.  Now another dagger plunged into our all ready bleeding heart.  ‘They’ are not satisfied with just telling us David has stage four cancer plus it is in the pancreas the most deadly kind of cancer, and oh, by the way your life is over– now!  In some of the past updates I explained our reaction to the news of cancer, but I have never given much detail about how or what happened those first few days of this change of our life’s path nor what it was like for us. For the Belladier to be told he will never ring the bell again was like being told, “Your only hope is chemo, maybe surgery (but only 2 % success rate for both). And while you think about that, here I am now placing a three foot sword in your heart, David, that you must carry around for the rest of your life—it might hurt some, but you will adjust.”  As you now know we did not opt for chemo or surgery and left the country for alternate cancer care in Quito, Ecuador.  You did not know during those first few weeks of care so far from home David was also battling the prospect of never being able to ring the bell again.   Needless to say every emotion was experienced by both David and I while learning to deal with our new life.  Not just the physical aspect of cancer, but of course the emotional part of trying to fight to live every day.  Nothing in your life is the same nor will it ever be the same we were told.  We have met many wonderful people that have been told similar things about how their life would end, and how they would have to live if they survived.

Now let us jump to the present.  Dramatic as it might seem the last paragraph happened the first week of January 2011.  Within two weeks of being told David had cancer, and he would never be able to ring the bell again, our lives did change overnight.  If you followed me through the updates these past few months I have opened my heart to you and our lives, an open door into our souls.  Life changed overnight yes, but our faith in God always the same and trusting in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ becomes stronger daily.  Oh, by the way, the story of the flags and the bell I saw anew last week with David standing by the bell tolling it again for ‘Our American Fallen Hero”.  On Monday, May 30th 2011, David will be with the bell at the Duncanville Memorial Day Parade remembering Our Heroes. So when you stop to give thanks this Memorial Day 2011 we will be also giving thanks for David being able to “ring the Liberty Bell” again.  As I have written many times, Great is the Lord and Worthy to be Praised for the Great things He has done and continues to do in our lives.

This a little different update, but a timely story that I needed to tell I pray each of you will stop and ‘remember’ Our American Heroes on Memorial Day.  The price of your freedom continues to be paid by the blood of every generation.  Never will we forget.  When you see the flag waving in the wind remember those who died so that you might live in Freedom.
Our story unfolding every day as we abide with our Lord walking with us on this life’s journey changed yes, “God is faithful and the devil a liar.”

Our love and prayers,

David and Phyllis

Being home like the old ‘Wizard of Oz’ movie when Dorothy clicks the heels of those sparkly red shoes and repeats three times “There’s no place like Home”, “There’s no place like Home”, “There’s no place like Home”– one moment she is in ‘Oz’ surrounded by all those strange small high pitched voice people the next ‘home’ with her loving family in Kansas.  Much like when we were in Quito and said out loud “There’s no place like Home—wish I were there!”  How good to be HOME!  There is no place like Home!

Moving into life at home not as easy as you might think after being gone since January not like the two week vacation.  Resuming life pretty automatic after your short trip with only one suitcase of laundry to do, one macro visit to the grocery store for the essentials, and only the handful of mail to sort before going to work on Monday– life pretty normal continues.

Now two weeks into trying to unpack those four oversized suitcases that are still sprawled all over my bedroom floor reminding me daily as I step over them how slow I am at getting the mounds of laundry done. Not my top priority yet, maybe this week I will find enough time to complete this arduous task.  Then I will have to lug those monster suitcases downstairs to their old home once again to rest from their world travel.  At this point I will only have to step over the mountain of laundry in the utility room, at least I have found the right room for it to be in while I continue to put all the other ‘stuff’ of travel away.  Someone once ask me if I had a hobby, I laughed and said “yes, laundry”, that was 25 years ago with five small children roaming the house not sure what my excuse is today.  Living out of the country these past few months no different than home when it comes to my “hobby”, my only question is who wears all this apparel? — the kids are gone (well almost all), and the ‘folding parties’ consist of me, myself and I.  At least I have a washer and dryer in Ecuador no such thing in the hotels you hire someone to do laundry.  I almost have no recollection of what my room is supposed to look like; one lesson learned again some things in life are more important than the laundry or dishes.

Knowing we would be gone for a few months I managed to ‘pay’ bills early before leaving not sure when we would come back home thinking my work would be minimal when I returned. When you leave the country you are supposed to let all your banks, credit card companies, etc, know that you will be gone and where you are going so they can keep tabs on you; big brother watching yes, but if you want to use any money when gone necessary. Do you know how much mail you get in a week, two weeks, a month, two months, ten weeks?  A literal boat load most of it yes, junk.  I know how some companies could save a lot of money—do not mail the same ad four times a week.  My mountain of laundry looks like an ant hill compared to the Mount Everest of every color, size and shape of envelope heaped on top of my desk—I think my desk is under it.  The first week  home I plunged myself into sorting, throwing away, shredding, and filing this mound of correspondence—- going postal has a whole new meaning.  My only “treasures” the many cards and letters to David.

My first quick trip to the grocery store I only said “gracias” twice, and “Buenos dias” once however, when David wanted to go out to eat Mexican food (for chicken corn enchilada and salad—the only thing he can eat at a Mexican restaurant) when ordering I without hesitation said ‘cincenta y un’ and un cincuenta y cinco ’ with ‘dos de aqua’  —a little déjà vu — it actually took a week to stop saying ‘gracias’ or ‘Buenos dias’. I think I am now back to normal, I can even understanding all those conversations of other people while waiting in line. You can really miss not hearing English.

Around the house David is found many times in his office chair with a phone in each hand. One he is talking on the other he is waiting for a call.  His joy of talking to family and friends evident then I the phone Nazi pry one of them out of his hand and confiscate it.  Not to worry he seems to eventually find it and continue his scheduling, plotting, analyzing, evaluating or figuring out what needs to be done about the Bell, the world, or the job.  From his post daily processing what is happening in this world around us and how can he be of service to those who need Our Lord.  I see renewed sparks of hope that reach through those phone conversations as he re-connects with his world.  He has been able to attend a few of the bell events of the past two weeks with the help of family, friends and with me being able to take him (needless to say I am watching him closely).  After the many weeks of not being able to see the bell, hear the bell or touch the bell the first time he rang it yes, a tear I saw again flow from the eye of this man called the Belladier.  He is home.

David is feeling very normal. So normal my new favorite word to his ‘I’ is my “no” trying to keep him from overdoing my greatest challenge of this new life.  His weight is 145 lbs.  The pills, potions, and injections a part of his daily routine along with the food diet, no sugar, no dairy, only some white fish, and white chicken with fruits and veggies now his continued life source  of nutrition.  A new blood test was sent to the doctor in Ecuador the first of this week we will get the results in a couple of days. We receive emails from the patients now all doing well at home and we continue to pray God’s care for each.  In every conversation David is able to share his testimony of how God has touched his body.  Remember when I wrote how God takes these bad parts of life that come without understanding and He makes good from them?  I wrote about the martyrs who were young, had families, yet their lives we thought cut short not seeing the whole picture of their living and the impact of their dying until much later. God does take all these terrible pieces of life and He projects the good into the picture of your suffering making anew the story of who you become.  David and I continue living through one awful piece of the bad seeing God‘s good daily.  Our picture is not complete every day a new stroke added with a brilliant color still being painted by our Lord, and in Him we will forever place our trust and leave our tomorrows in His care.  Only two weeks home and many are the opportunities placed in our path to tell another hurting person what God has done in our lives.  This is the story of the other side of this cancer.

Words do not exist that can express the immense love we have for our family and friends. Unworthy is how we feel at each one’s generosity and care given to us.  With a humble heart we thank God for all who have breathed the many prayers for us and helped carry our burden.  We strive to remain upright before the Lord and persevere with all diligence in serving God with our whole heart. For those who have seen David these past two weeks you have witnessed the miracle he now speaks about.  I have seen the splendor once again of how God works in our lives.  To God be the Glory for Great things He has done!  We persist in living each day walking with our Lord as before this cancer, seeing through God’s eye our daily duty to reach even those at home with the good news of the gospel and tell what the Lord has done in our lives.

What will David do these next few weeks? I have been ask several times by family and friends.  He plans on finishing the book about the bell first while he maintains this lifetime health regiment.  The many stories of the bell in his heart will come to life.  I will be working with our videographer on completing the video of the bell.  These two projects at rest for these past few months now become our top priority as David gains strength daily to continue his duty as Belladier. I will post progress weekly as to his health, our project progress, and what the bell will be doing.  When I get the time I plan on compiling all the many stories I wrote while in Quito, Ecuador into a mini book.  Busy our next few days addressing the needs of returning home but, wonderful our hearts filled with just being ‘home.’  Yes Dorothy ‘There is no place like Home.’
And I will try to finish all the unpacking!

Our Prayers and Love to All,
David and Phyllis

Taxiing in a 757 down the Quito airport runway is like being strapped to a rocking chair in the back bed of your grandfather’s ’65 pickup truck speeding at 250 miles per hour over a freshly plowed cotton field.  Jarring your insides while trying to cock your head to look out those tiny oval windows without blocking the person’s view next to you as you strain to catch that last glimpse of Ecuadorian ground difficult to accomplish in the 30 seconds it takes to clear the tarmac.  As your eyes reach up this valley floor capturing in memory the beauty of this home away from home you will carry its picture and these people who live on top of this volcano with you forever.  Imprinted on your heart the sights and sounds of Quito, Ecuador now a part of your past.  David changed in body, strengthened in spirit, and ready to continue his duty at home.

David dislikes take-offs, landings, bumpy air, and the macro microwave food of the airplane experience, however, I relish the thrill of being in the clouds at 40,000 feet.  I can tell my grandchildren I have been almost in space today.  Dazzling is the landscape below as we soar through the clouds.  The Andes Mountain range spectacularly draped in God’s sunlight as far as you can see jagged peak after peak of creation rock reaching the clouds where our plane slices through the thin atmosphere like a whale gliding in the ocean.  The clouds I saw every day from the rooftop of the hotel quite wonderful from that perspective, but nothing like actually riding with them at 525 miles per hour in your own magic carpet called the modern jet.  The majesty of our world seldom seen through the eye of that small oval piece of glass I now peer through.  Viewing the curvature of the earth breathtaking because of the stark contrast of colors from faint baby blue to the deep almost black layers of atmosphere far above your head like one of those Kincaid paintings with light streaming from every color makes your heart race a little and your eyes squint to see more of what your mind finds hard to process all at once. When Jordan was two, his first plane ride with Grandma Davis sparked this simple child question, “Are we in ‘heaven’ yet?”  Today seeing part of God’s vast creation also inspired in me a similar query “Heaven must be most beautiful!” Just look at what God has given us to live on.  Your senses on overload, your mind too small to comprehend the enormity of our earth much less the vastness of the dark space filled with God’s wonders a few miles above your plane as you arc your path home like a shooting star falling from the sky.

The constant hum of the airplane engines echo in your ears as you once again memorize the past few months in your head holding each sight stored in your brain of the enormous city that has been home while David received life saving treatments so dramatic to change your life’s path forever.  Never will the haunting hollow empty eyes of the children of Quito leave my heart, or the hopelessness of those existing on every corner of the streets of this city in the valley of a volcano.  The ’many’ who dwell among the masses of hurting, lost souls, those who inspire hope in the midst of despair we will remember, pray for, and be indebted to for their sacrifice of comfort, security, and even safety as they preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The excitement of coming home foremost in our thought while we still try to wrap our mind around all the events of these past ten weeks in a strange country.  Never will the patients, now friends, be very far from our thoughts and prayers.  We are grateful to God with every breath for giving new health as we count the great miracles witnessed by us in this far away land.  We believe tools in the hands of God this doctor and staff that cared for David now becoming a part of his continued healing even when home.  Truly blessed are we as we sit in this 757 high above the earth on our way home thanking God for His watchful ‘eye’ that looks into our hearts and knows who we are.   “With All I Am” “Lord I believe in You, Lord I belong to You.”.

By writing these updates I hope I have given you some personal insight into who David and I are, what we believe, and how we view our changed lives always focusing on the wonderful blessings given to us by our Lord.  Many are the lessons learned that we carry home to continue our journey of life together.  We could not be successful in life without the prayers and support of our family and friends, even complete strangers who stopped their busy life and remembered David, and ask God to heal him, take care of him, and sustain him—this is the reason David lives.  God hears, God answers, God loves.  As I have said frequently during the time spent in Ecuador, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is in our tomorrows, whatever those tomorrows are…He is there.  I have seen every day of the past months of this disease—the good days, the bad days, the hopeful days, the helpless days, and I see the miracle days—so has God, Creator of the universe, Savior of the world, Healer of all.  God is Faithful. To God be the Glory, Great things He has done.

How is David feeling?  What are we doing now? What does tomorrow hold for us? Certain questions I can answer, others only God knows.  David is doing well.  He is continuing the same regiment as when is Quito as to food, pills & potions, and yes even injections, and I.V.’s along with a few of the machines that were used for his treatment these past few months. We see great improvement with his weight now at 141 lbs., a miracle in itself.  We have spoken to the doctor in Quito who keeps tabs on him, and we send a blood test to him via airplane pilot every two weeks.  Already, only home 6 days, I have looked at David and said ‘no’ several times to his “I can”,  “I will”, and those of you who know him,  the other “I” statements he insist are ok for him to do.  So far he is listening and being careful – if I need help in the future I will let you know.  It is difficult to be gone for so long and have so much to do….

He is ‘home’ talking on the phone, planning events for the bell, and sometime attending an event with the bell. Since Monday the bell has honored Johnson County Deputy Sheriff Clifton Taylor, and Sunday the bell is in Waxahachie tolling for a KIA Soldier.  He did attend the funeral of our Deputy with the help of friend Tom White.  Also, on Saturday David spoke briefly (almost) at a luncheon at a local church where the Patriot Guard Riders again helped raise money for the medical expenses in Quito.  David overwhelmed by the generous gifts and the love given to him by his fellow patriots.  To each who spent time with David, thank you from my heart to yours.

There is an old song with the words “Through it all, through it all, I have learned to lean on Jesus, learn to depend upon His word.” These few words pretty well summarize what I have experienced dealing with this disease, and how I have survived being so far from home.  I have seen the majesty of God.  I look at this path of life I now walk through the ‘eye’ of my Savior, ‘with all I am’, ‘I belong to Him and so does David’, and our tomorrows in His loving care.

Our love to all,
David & Phyllis

P.S. This is the abbreviated version, more to come this week.

QUITO
Final Update from Quito, Ecuador. (Weekly Updates will continue as to David’s health.)

For ten weeks our home away from home, laying in the valley on top of a volcanic mountain range at 10,000 feet elevation, has been Quito which means in Spanish “Centro del Mundo”.  The great contrast of beauty and ugliness within this city surround us. The peaceful majesty of the mountains drenched every day in clouds, rolling over them like the waves of the ocean coming ashore, paint the beauty of this ‘center of the world’.  The continual noise, constant  movement of the masses throughout the city, never-ending traffic, and miles of buildings creeping up the mountain wall will forever be stamped in our memory.

In calm silence the peaks disappear as these white boiling pieces of atmosphere reveal themselves for what they really are, hovering over the valley floor, transforming into menacing grayish blackness, pouring buckets of rain upon everything under them.  Establishing their right to show themselves during this time of the year because Ecuador has only two seasons, ‘rainy’ and ‘dry’, we have evidently been here during the ‘rainy’ season.  Walking in the rain is lovely experience most of the time, though I wish I would have brought my full body rain suit.  The citizens of Quito move without delay or thought of what the sky dumps on them daily.  Being skilled city dwellers they seem to conquer this minor inconvenience by always having an umbrella or not. Their journey never impeded– no taxi, pull out the umbrella; no umbrella no problem, a little wet shrinks no one. It’s part of living in this valley during the rainy season. Look up into the sky and nothing appears to budge. Occasionally the sound of thunder is heard for brief segments of the downpour of water upon the earth, but you strain to watch the blackness of the sky advancing to the west; be very still, your neck will start to ache glaring upward waiting for the slightest sign of movement.  During these moments time stands still – the sky motionless, peaceful, silent–the splendor of God’s creation above your head.

Never could David & I imagine that life’s path would bring us to the ‘center of the world’. Yes, we stood on the actual G.P.S. line (the Equator) that divides the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, the one that makes the circle around the earth east to west.  Standing on the center of the world. It’s dramatic enough knowing you are touching part of the largeness of the earth, reaching each arm up–one to the North, one to the South, impossibly trying to walk a straight line, one foot placed in front of the other.  The right arm pulls you North, the left arm pulls you South. Balancing yourself, you try to walk on the center of the world, but it’s not going to happen. Drop your right arm you immediately fall to the left, drop your left arm you fall to the right. This invisible magnetic force you cannot see, but you can feel it battling for your balance. Now put both arms at your side, proceed forward, one foot in front of the other–success. We have all seen the magnificent blue sphere of our Earth in pictures taken from space, viewed the continents, the vast oceans, the layers of clouds dispersed intermittently throughout the globe, and yes caught a glimpse of the “Centro del Mundo” – this majesty of God’s universe where we dwell.  The strange surroundings of Quito a few weeks ago now familiar to our senses. Our journey to the ‘center of the world’ a challenge of body, mind and soul. We will hold the faces of these people in our heart, the beauty of the mountains in our memory, the constant noise of this enormous city remains in our ears, the poor’s plight imprinted in our soul. This is the piece of Quito that is traveling home with us this week. Today on my last walk though the crowded streets of this once strange, intimidating large home away from home, yes, I did walk in some rain with my umbrella.

I have written about the actual sights and sounds of Quito these past weeks, what I saw in the soul of this city.  I tried to explain our hearts desire: To serve our Lord with all our heart, mind, and soul, trusting in Him to care daily for our needs. Our totality of life is surrounded by a loving family and friends that continue to support us, and daily reach the throne of God with their prayers asking God to intervene and heal David. Writing about how our ‘perspective’ has changed, viewing our situation of disease, seeing with ‘God’s eye not ours, taught me the great lesson of God‘s faithfulness to His children.  His ‘eye’ is always watching over His children when the bad of life happens as well as the good.  We are trying to live through the unknown of tomorrow ‘With All I Am’ -’Jesus I believe in You, Jesus I belong to You’, our song.  We pray that we could be the ‘one’ to change history by always sharing the love of “Jesus Our Savior” even when disease is pronounced in the body.  Learning our God is the same  as before this cancer.  I have tried to give you a glimpse into our heart.  Our lives are changed forever because of traveling to a far away place, sojourning for a short time among these souls of Quito.  I detailed looking into the faces of the Ecuadorian people seeing their great hope of the future, and their desperate hopelessness while dwelling on top of this volcano. We witnessed awful poverty; some of the children forced to spend their childhood in the streets of Quito playing with plastic cups, following in their parents’ footsteps rather than breaking this bondage which strangles the child out of them.  Aged men and woman never leaving the corners of every street, for that is where their existence has been sustained their entire life.  The beauty of God’s mountains filled with man’s selfish hearts will never leave our spirits however, the ‘many’ Christian brethren who labor on this volcano, shining light into the darkness, will continually be in our prayers.  The work is much and the laborers are few, but God gives the increase as the story I wrote of John and Betty Stam, missionaries to China. Here in Quito, Ecuador, in its recent past, martyrs left their life’s blood in the Andes mountains where David and I have seen their sacrifice change Ecuador’s history many years after they arrived in Eternity. The lives of five men, given on January 8, 1956 Jim Elliott, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming, and Roger Youderian killed by the Huaorani Indians, changed these savages forever. Within three weeks of their death 1,000 Christians volunteered to come to the mission field where these men were speared by this tribe. Three years after their death two of the wives of the martyrs came to live with the Huaorani Indians, caring for them and sharing Jesus.  Once a savage tribe, now believers in Jesus Christ. Every nation has martyrs as Tertullian said 1800 years ago, “…the blood of the martyr is the seed of the church.” God is always faithful. When we cannot understand the ‘why’s’ of life, remember God is still in tomorrow. As men continue to give their life’s blood for the gospel of Christ I weep for the great loss, but rejoice when the completed picture of their life is revealed.  As the cost of freedom is high in America so is the continual price of the gospel being preached throughout our world.

This week the world remembers Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord, the empty tomb. The entire history of the world, and man’s eternity, changed when the Savior died on the cross and arose from the grave.  Passion week recalls the last few days of Jesus walking on this earth as man (flesh), heart wrenching scenes unfold, unimaginable physical and mental pain borne upon that tree for my sins and yours.  We forget that healing was purchased by our Lord at this same time– being beaten –each stripe for the healing of man, for you and for David. Isaiah 53: 5 “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”  Coming home on Easter is a thrill for us, David expecting total completion of this healing work done by our Lord. In last weeks update David wrote about his 50th anniversary of being a Christian, and how he fully believes that when he gets home on Resurrection Day his healing will be completed.  We stand upon the Word of God.  How Big is God? Big enough! He Arose, He Arose Halleluiah Christ Arose!!!  After the Resurrection Jesus again ministered on the earth with the last thing said to his disciples in Mark 16: 15 “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature…”   This our prayer as David and I journey home again from seeing another part of God’s world, and watching miracles occur because of those who still are going into ‘all the world’.  May we continue to be His witnesses.

Today was the last day of treatments at the clinic in Quito, a bittersweet moment as we said goodbye to the Doctor, his wife, and the nursing staff.  David and I thank God for this Christian Doctor who cared for David.  Every day of treatments was a labor of love, these people being tools used by God to give hope and new life. The many patients we have met these past ten weeks will remain in our prayers. We have seen “Miracles” occur in each life.  I have written many times about the spiritual connection between these patients who come from all over the world for hope and healing.  Many of their conversations I have listened to and marveled at how God can take the worst of life, like disease, and make good out of the bad.  As we travel home our hearts will stay connected with this family at the clinic, and we pray God will bless all who enter its doors.  David is leaving healthier than when he came, we will continue the diet plan, the potions & pills, even injections 3 times a week, with intermittent I.V.’s.  His blood work shows great improvement. The doctor very pleased with the results.  When home we will continue to send every two weeks a blood sample to this doctor in Quito. His weight now 137 lbs., up again. His energy levels are better.  Every day for the past three weeks he has been walking with me in Quito.  A local Pastor came by the hotel tonight to pray with David before we leave.  His first reaction at seeing David two weeks ago was “Praise God.”  Then he cried and hugged David.  When we visited with him the first time we came, David was jaundice and not doing so well.  Now the pastors and churches that have prayed for David here in Quito are rejoicing.  Also, here at the hotel all the staff know the story of David, what he does at home with the bell, and they all saw him when we first arrived in January.  Now the conversation in the hotel is the story of how God is healing this man called David.  One of the hotel managers said “I know God has touched David, and made him better. I see a miracle.”   Great is the Lord, Worthy to be Praised.  Our lives forever changed here in this small clinic laying in the valley of a volcano.

Without our family and friends caring for the Liberty Bell & Law Memorial David could not be at peace while here.  To the Sons of the American Revolution we are humbled by the honor and considerate watchful eye all of you gave to our family and making sure the Bell could be on duty during David’s absence. You again are great Patriots doing your duty.  To the American Legion Post 218 & Commander James Battersby we cannot thank you enough for taking the Bell to its most scared duty honoring our Fallen Heroes.  What can we say about this valiant Marine: from our hearts to yours, James–Semper Fi ( Always Faithful)!  To Caleb our son who became his dad’s hands, and feet to make sure the Bell was ready to attend every event these past few months we love you much and dad is proud to be your father. We both are forever grateful to God that you are our son.  To our long trusted American Heroes the Patriot Guard Riders we continue to carry you in our hearts wherever we go. Never could such great men and women protect our Fallen Heroes as you do daily. You are always “standing silent and tall with flags waving”  giving honor because you have the soul of the nation in your hearts.  David misses his duty at the Bell, but knows you watch over her for him.  The PGR has revived Patriotism in our nation.  We are truly blessed to have such friends that took part of their life and when we could not be on ‘duty’ continued for us. Thank you for remembering us in your prayers. David has been the recipient of all those whispered prayers. May God watch over you and keep you in His care. David looks forward to being on ‘duty’ with you soon.  For all of the “many” throughout the nation who have supported us and prayed for David’s healing we thank you from the depths of our hearts.  God hears your prayers.  God Bless you all.

By now you know David and I have five children and eighteen grandchildren.  Being gone for such a long time has been very difficult for all of us. Without our sons carrying for the daily matters of life at home and without our daughters actually doing much research on this disease, keeping us informed as to the news of family, totally taking care of everything that came up while we are 4,000 miles away, David would not be on the healing side of this disease and I would not be sane. We are very proud parents and grandparents. God has been so good to David and I.  We thank all of you for your support during one of the most challenging periods of our living together.  Your love sustains your mom and dad.  Your constant prayer on our behalf felt by us. When we get home each one of you are getting several million hugs and kisses.  We are blessed to have a large family that cares for us and loves us so dearly.  Every member of our family has reached out to David and I these past few months with your love and prayers.  Thank you for all the countless deeds of kindness shown to David and I.  We love you much.

Living in Quito this long time apart from our grandchildren has been the hardest segment of the journey, most too young to comprehend why we are not at our house, and what is cancer.  I have kept their emails, pictures, drawings, letters and conversation via phone or computer close to my heart. God’s wonderful gift to parents when we get older (note I said older not old) is our grandchildren. We get to relive having children again. All of our grandchildren seem to have a million questions, never totally understanding why “the Mommom and Pawpaw” part of their life has drastically changed. We are told they pray nightly for Pawpaw to be healed, and some even remember him when praying for their food. David and I have missed several of the “firsts” of some of our grandchildren, but have been informed as to every new event.  Some of the many firsts we did not get to see yet has been:
1.  Seeing our 1 yr old Maya take here first steps.
2.  Seeing our 6 mo. old Mercy  crawl.
3.  Seeing 5 mo. old Madelyn  sit up.
4.  See Titus ride his bike for the first time with no training wheels
5.  See Eli’s 3rd birthday and eat his cake.
6.  See  2 yr. old Pro drill holes in oranges with an electric drill
7.  See this season soccer games Kathryn, Jessie, Caleb
Not to worry – we are assured when we get home we can see all of these things, well maybe we will pass on the repeat of Pro’s first experience with the drill.  Some of the most heart felt questions I have been ask while here I am unable to answer fully now.  These are a few of their sincere  quandaries  and comments that we have received since being away.
1.  Where are you?
2.   Better be careful, volcanoes blow up.
3.  I am ready to come over to your house.
4.  Let’s talk.
5.  What is a taxi?
6.  I can’t come to you, it is to far my mom won’t let me.
7.  What is Spanish?
8.  Did you see Indians?
9.   Be careful jungles is where tigers live.
10. Mommom’s car is in the driveway she is home.
11. Tell Pawpaw to go to Chick Fil A   they have good food.
12.  I am not a vegetarian.
13. You have been gone long enough.
14. Can I stand on your roof?
15. Don’t step on lava.
16.  I love you.
17.  I need trampoline tools.
As you can see never a dull moment!  Our love and hugs to all 18 amazing grandchildren.
We have been told that when we get home some of them have a list of things we have to do with them, so our next few months should be interesting.  Anyone for a sleepover?

We have seen our life change these past few months, never to be the same again.  Accepting these changes is not easy, but we still place every breath we take in God’s care,
remembering the ‘center of our world’ is Jesus Christ, Savior of the world.  We know not what is in tomorrow except that God will be there with us.  To God be the Glory for the great things He has done.  God is Faithful.
Our love to all,
David and Phyllis
P.S. We will be letting everyone know what our next steps will be and what is happening on the website proclaimliberty.us  & on facebook Liberty Bell & Law Memorial. Also, for the next few weeks we will proceed with an update.

QUITO, ECUADOR

David’s heart journeyed home this week, as the Liberty Bell & Law Memorial tolled for two more North Texas Fallen Heroes.  Even 4,000 miles cannot separate his heart from the duties of the Bell.  His thoughts not here in Quito, but with the Bell.  Eyes closed while the Bell, being rung so far from him, sounded very clear in his soul.  Visions of flags waved in his mind knowing the faithful friends of the Patriot Guard stood beside the Bell as she mourned again for the families suffering today.  Over and over he could see the rhythmic swinging of the bell just before remembering the sound he felt in his chest.  Wishing with all his heart that today he could be pulling the rope, seeing the swing, counting the rocks, and hearing his beloved sound.  Alive the bell today, her duty continues—missing his duty another tear in the eye.  A piece of his love left today at home with the ringing of the bell.  This is what I witnessed this week each day of remembrance the same.  Another closed eye, a soul hearing the sound of the bell, and yes even a tear in the eyes of this man called the Belladier.  Feeling the pain of loss as the Bell did, a difficult time for David to be separated from the Bell this week.  Forever the sound of liberty imbedded in his soul.

Now as you have guessed the Liberty Bell continues to toll for Our Fallen Heroes at concluding honors while we are here in Quito.  Our son Caleb and American Legion Post 218 Commander James, in David’s absence, along with the Patriot Guard Riders were caretakers of the Bell.  The Bell’s most sacred duty this week giving honor to those Who Gave All.  Our prayer is that God comfort the families while America holds them in her arms.

Also, on Tuesday Caleb called to inform us that a friend and business associate of David’s for the past 35 years died.  David cried then proceeded to write a letter to his  family and business associates.  Memories of past jobs, conversations, weighty life matters flooded his thoughts.  Friendships developed over a life time of working together, make the separation of death difficult. We pray for Barry’s family —God be with them.

This past week one of loss and sadness for us, for a nation, for each family.  We are encouraged by God’s promises “Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be Comforted.”  Every day someone hurts, loses a loved one, or a nations cries for her sons and daughters.  All of these souls touched our world, their families, and a nation.  Life precious given by God.

They say one person can change the world.  Just one.  I have seen this person— not just a single soul, but the ‘many’ who change life as we live it on this earth.  History altered forever this week. World history, American history, our history, your history because these men lived and touched the world with their spirit. Lives complete now living in their eternity, ours yet to come.

Exiting the taxi with David in front of an aged fortress clinging to the far north side of the mountain in Quito we approached through wrought iron gates again, one of the many times these past 8 ½ weeks while living here.  On the sidewalk a small indigenous woman sells beautiful long stem flowers to those assembling through those gates.  A security guard stands at attention just outside the iron gate watching all who enter a cramped courtyard, allowing a gathering place for us before entering through the well-used wooden doors.  All is quite except for the street noise, and the occasional “Buenos  dias” with a slight nod of the head.  Inside, the cathedral ceiling is more impressive than the simple white painted wood benches that fill one large rectangle room.  1950’s  style windows line the outside walls from ceiling to half way down the wall, the platform one step elevated with a huge wooden cross hanging the length of the twenty foot wall, a piano sets to the left, drums behind a glass partition on the right, and a very simple pulpit protrudes from the center of the stage.  Sitting on the pews the ‘many’ that make up this world’s Christian family.  Not just Ecuadorians, but families from Canada, America, Saudi Arabia, Germany; so different their background as the many places they come from gathering to worship our Lord together.  A remarkable sight and wonderful experience.  Need I mention this is the English Fellowship in Quito—the songs, the sermon, the praise all in English.  Sunday one of the sermon illustrations the story of John & Betty Stam missionaries to China. The Stam’s began their work in China early 1933, one of the first Christian couples to journey to China and share Jesus.  They spoke only of Jesus Christ, their Savior, and His love.  In December 1934 both John & Betty Stam were paraded through the streets of the city they lived naked, beaten, and then beheaded in public by the Communist who began a reign of terror in China.  Only 14 months were they able to share their love for Jesus in China.  How could God allow this to happen? So much needed to be done, why?   The huge question at that time in history.  Now for the rest of the story.  During those short 14 months of ministry by John & Betty Stam four young men became Christians, and in 1948 all four were imprisoned for preaching the gospel.  After forty years they were all four released in 1988, still preaching Jesus.  Because of these four men the underground church exploded in numbers, the Chinese Christian only speaks of Jesus Christ.  Now today in China, the largest populated nation on the earth,  within the next five years it will be  the largest Christian nation in the world.  John & Betty Stam, martyrs for Jesus Christ in our time of history on this Earth—their 14 months in China changed this world.  Sacrifice yes, but God sees history as we cannot.

Little did David and I know after hearing this story of the Stam’s Sunday that  this past week would include the sadness of death for our nation, and the death of a friend.  We cannot see the why’s?   We ask the same questions today as when the Stam’s were killed.   How can God allow this?  Sorrow a part of living.  We see not the good of death,  we only feel the grief for a time.  Evil comes to “steal, kill, and destroy”,  God comes to bring life.  Never would  John or Betty have known that because of those 14 months they totally saved a nation —-they changed the world.  Just like those Soldiers the Bell honored this past week —the world changed by their sacrifice.  Jesus came into this world and for 3 years His ministry changed the world forever.  History forever altered.  This week I have seen history change for us all.  Yes, one person can change the world. Forever the world different because these souls passed through on their way to eternity.

The question that stays in my heart all week  “What have I done to change the world in the past 14 months?”  I leave this question with you also.  God knows the heart and when the ‘Why?’ of life comes our way He is there with us to change our history and the world can see the good offered by Him.

Now as to David’s health this week.  He has completed 8 ½ weeks of treatments in Quito.
The new meds given to him to fight this cancer these past four weeks specifically target the cancer cells, we cannot get this at home. It is an injection every day in the I. V.  We see great improvement in his immune system, and his strength.   His pH is staying normal most of the time the lowest now 6.8 to the highest 8.  We have been praying that he would maintain his weight which was down to 125 lbs. two weeks ago,  he now weighs 135 lbs.  We praise God for this answer to prayer.  We continue to pray for the digestive process to proceed to heal completely.  He received a full blood work up on Thursday which should go back to the doctor on Tuesday.  I know he is feeling much better in body because  he actually has an appetite and enjoys eating again.  He also can walk the long 7 blocks from the hotel to the mall (which is where the grocery store is) without any trouble.  Four weeks ago he had a hard time walking from the lobby of the hotel to the street to get into the taxi.  He is again writing.  We have one more week of these intense treatments before coming home.  We expect miracles to continue. Every day the doctor sees a new David he says.  The doctor wants him to write something for his website and also plans on coming to Texas to go with the Bell and David.  New patients come every day.  We pray continued health to all our friends who are home you are in our daily prayers.   God continue to bless you and keep you in His love.  We praise God for His blessings.

I have been reminded again this week  God sees all of our history.  He is all ready waiting in our tomorrows.  God knows the whole of our living here in this world and He sees our eternity.  Will my life lived for God change the history of this world?  It takes only one to change the world.  Just One.  I pray to be one.

Praise the Lord for He is Worthy to be Praised.
The many who continue to uphold us in your prayers– God hears and we listen to obey.
We serve the God of Miracles.

Our Love to you all
David and Phyllis

QUITO, ECUADOR

Perspective is defined as the way in which objects appear to the eye. 

Today I stood on the roof of our hotel (ten stories), as I have done many times the past few weeks to view the city of Quito. My vision filled with enormous buildings jutting out of the ground on every side of me like square pegs wedged tightly together.  Every inch of earth covered for as far as I could see racing up each side of these jagged mountain tops where we now live. Vast mazes of roads overflowing with literally hundreds of vehicles, mostly small,  mingled with big long blue, red, or yellow buses, manage to move the inhabitants where they needed to go without too much trouble. It reminded me of my boys playing with hot wheel cars that invaded every inch of floor under the kitchen table. I watched great masses of people walking everywhere like tiny toy soldiers. Over my head every twenty minutes the roar of another airplane descended right down the middle of this city landing at the airport their shadows covering the tops of downtown Quito like a chicken hawk soaring over my chickens.  If I but reached out my hand I could almost grab the cloud in the sky or touch that red bus with the tip of my finger. The stillness of the mountains beautiful, the deep blues of the sky painted by God, the giant billows of white clouds magical.  Perspective – the way my eye saw Quito today.  Does a thing so big look so small when I change where my eye views it? Well the scenes I observed from the roof with my eye are different than what I have seen while on the ground with the same eye.

Several times these past seven weeks I have found myself on the crowded sidewalks walking among the ordinary people living and working in this huge capital of Ecuador.  The constant noise of traffic, honking horns, alarms sounding, with the obnoxious smells coming from hundreds of buses pouring black smoke at every stop creates a most unpleasant experience for the novice visitor roaming Quito.  However, one does become accustomed to this smelly, loud, soot-filled habitation in time. You can also catch a glimpse of the soul of this nation.  Look into the eyes of  the children some making their way to private schools dressed in uniforms backpacks on shoulder or the other children with tattered clothing marching in step behind their parent learning to sell or beg on the streets; I can see hope—a future, and I can see  despair— hopelessness. On every grass covered piece of ground families gather enjoying the play of their children while all the “Futbol” fields fill to overflowing with young and older players showing off to the world their speed and agility. Rain or shine Quito loves their soccer, one of the national sports, bigger than football, baseball or basketball in the USA. The other national sport, for you sports fans of the world, would be the “El Toro” (Bull Fighting) with a huge bright yellow ‘Toro ring’ just a few miles from the airport in the center of the city. When I think there are very few like-minded believers occupying a radius of 100 miles of where I am, God reveals the “many” who live and shine the light of God into this home away from home that David & I now dwell in.  Beauty within the layers that my eye rest upon.  Perspective as I see Quito daily.

The same eye that peered down upon this city from the hotel roof now sees face to face the smallness of all the humans touching the earth with each footstep hurrying past the lofty man made edifices they dwell in or work in.  Yes, changing where your eye is can transform your perspective.

Dealing with this life threatening illness these past few months David and I have looked through “our eye” many times. Our perception shifting from disbelief, much weeping, despair, and doubt into hope, trust, and faith. Now expecting with confidence continued healing from our Lord and Savior.  Understanding that when it is your name attached to the disease cancer (or any other sickness), when it is your life, your family, your eternity, time stands still as every aspect of your daily living revolves around “healing” and knowing who God is never changes.  Learning to see through “God’s eye” sets us free to really live in any state we find ourselves.  “God sees not as man sees, for a man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16:7  No trial in life comes without attached blessings. It may take some altering what your “eye” sees transforming it into what God’s “eye” sees.  Putting faith into action difficult at times when healthy. Living by faith when ill a necessity.  Like breathing is automatic so must our trust in knowing who God is every day,  looking not at what our eye sees, but looking at what God sees and does.  Living in His Glory while walking through these waters we find Joy, Peace, and Rest. God’s perspective– how He sees us today and tomorrow.

The past week we have made the decision to stay in Quito for two more weeks to continue cancer treatments for David.  A hard choice for us to make again, but after all the positive test results and added meds by the doctor these past three weeks we see much improvement.  David is receiving a new medicine which he cannot get at home, one of the main reasons to stay now.  His immune system is getting stronger, and his energy level greater.  His appetite is better than before fixing the bile duct, and we saw a slight weight gain this week.  He is feeling better and walking more. He is resting and sleeping normally again.  He had another sonogram on Tuesday and the tumor has not moved, only changed shapes again. His liver, which was enlarged because of the bile duct blocked, is now normal size and functioning correctly.  His blood work better each week and next Tuesday another full blood workup is scheduled.  The doctor sees greater success of the treatments since we returned this time with the bile duct opened. The doctor even wants to join David in traveling with the Liberty Bell. Yes, David has another patriot friend, our great American doctor here in Quito.  At the clinic during all the hours of treatments great conversations resume every day.  David’s writing is again underway. I hope to post his first update to you with mine next week.  Each day a blessing from God.  Every new success from Our Lord, we give Him Thanks and Praise Him for who He is.  Our lives in His care. It is always difficult to be away from home, family and friends, but we endure because of all the prayers we feel sustaining us.

Some of the patients leave each week and new ones arrive.  Those that leave have became connected by spirit more than the common attachment of disease.  This week several of our friends went home healed and we miss them, but rejoice in their new health.  You know who you are when you read this—may God reveal Himself to you daily and may you continue in health for He has a work for you to do and loves you very much. We have been in contact with some of those who leave  and we know miracles happen —don’t we!
We are glad you are home with your families.  We even look forward to seeing you again God willing.  Our prayer is that you remain in health and abide in Our Savior’s Love.

David wants me to tell all that this week a milestone occurred 50 years ago in his life.  Today on April 9, 1961 at the age of  nine years old he began his walk with the Lord.  He said he has never been the same since. I will not give to many details for he is writing them now, I am just letting you know we are celebrating today. I also have this 50 year walk with the Lord.  We both are grateful to our parents who helped guide our lives while children and gave us the opportunity to hear the gospel and know our Lord and Savior. Our lives together are blessed.   This story is still unfolding.  In Our Savior we abide.

I must share with you  a few stories that give David and I great strength to do battle daily as we live so far from home these past seven weeks.  Most of you know of our large family and the wonderful friends we have caring for everything at home for us while we are away.  When it is hard to stay here another day or when we are tired, or when we feel alone we receive from you the needed boost of power to keep us going.   We talk with our children and grandchildren daily (at least one or two of them) and we receive emails from everyone.  There are some that have actually so moved our hearts they are too precious to keep to ourselves so we share them with you today.

As a background for you about these angels in our lives, I need to set the story up:  Many know of our 18 grandchildren and we are truly blessed by God each one a gift from Him.   Since discovering this sickness a few months ago our grandchildren tell us they pray for “pawpaw” every night.  This now a daily part of their little lives.  Some not so sure what the word cancer means much less why we are so far away at a doctor, but they are dutiful to remember in their prayers the “pawpaw” they love.  Sometimes they just want to talk to us so they send emails, cards, pictures, and drawings or we Google talk or Skype.  Many times our hearts lifted by hearing their voices or reading their emails.  Samuel, age 3, has seen his big brother Titus, age 6, Google talk to us, he told his mother he needed to email mommom & pawpaw.  So she said ok what do you want me to email them he said no I will email them.  He sat down at the computer and this is his email:
The email: from Sam
==zzxxccvvbbnnmmll,,//sseerrttyyoo

He very carefully and methodically typed this. It apparently reads,
“I love you, MomMom and PawPaw.”

Our reply:     Of course we can read Sam. Tell him we love and miss him                     XOXOXOXO  love you much Mommom & Pawpaw

Our next email comes to us from a special friend from our church.  When we read this both of us thanked God for sending us Leslie.  Leslie loves the Liberty Bell and David. He asks about the Bell every time we see him. He likes ringing the bell with David. Background on this email. Leslie  is a special needs adult who loves the Lord and lives with his mother; his brother is the adult Sunday School teacher at our church.  His hugs and “I know you” make the day brighter.  I received an email from his brother with this comment from Leslie about David.

The email: from Jerry  —Leslie’s brother:

Leslie ask about David and, we say he‘s sick, we need to pray –
Leslie’s prayer is, “ Jesus help the David.”

This being one of the most profound prayers that we have heard.  How specific a prayer this is not just help David, but Jesus help “the” David”, so God would know exactly which David Leslie was praying about. Our response to this prayer melts our spirit for we know the God Leslie loves hears his prayers and He is “Helping the David”.

From the heart both our grandson just needing to let us know he loves us and Leslie’s earnest words of faith  make us realize that through their eye they see us, love us and know God hears their prayer.   Like Jesus are these children of God. We pray to be like them and with a true heart see these spoken words that can change us because God sees through His eye not ours.   “Love” and “help”  from our family, friends and God are why  David and I can see with “God’s eye” not our eye.  Perspective evaluating our situation through Gods eye.  Keeping our eye on Him our prayer!

The Liberty Bell and Law Memorial today attended the Gainesville, Texas parade honoring America’s Medal of Honor Recipients. Thank you to our family and the Sons of the American Revolution for getting the bell to her duty.  Within the next week we will be at the concluding honors of two fallen Heroes in Texas.  We pray for their families and know God will comfort their hearts during this most tragic time of life.  On April 15-17 the Patriot Guard Riders will have a state wide Gathering of the Guard and will be raising funds for David during this event.  David and I wish to thank them for there support and love they give us.  We miss being with them.  Please view our website Proclaimliberty.us or Facebook page  Liberty Bell & Law Memorial for the latest post on the bell and David’s health.  Without the many working together caring for the Liberty Bell David could not keep receiving these treatments.  Each stay in our prayers daily.  We are closer to being home and continuing our duties.

One last happening this week at the clinic.  A local evangelist brought his cousin to the doctor for beginning treatment and we met them. This pastor was in Ft. Worth at a Pastor’s Conference in January, the same one David attended with our friend, Janny Grien.  He met a few local pastors from Ecuador at that time in January.  We also talked with Janny yesterday. She told us that two other pastors from home will be here at the same hotel we are at this week, so for the next 2 weeks we will be doing some ministering with this local evangelist and will go with the American pastors when they get here to a few of the local meetings. Opportunities never cease, even for cancer patients who are 4,000 miles from home.  We praise God for all his provision and for the great opportunities to share the Love of Our Savior.  These souls at this hotel have been covered with the word of God since Janny stayed here last September.  Janny, we continue what you started.

Perspective – the way in which objects appear to the eye.  A child looks at the world they live in as everything being bigger than they are, a world in which they cannot totally communicate, nor understand,  yet they are loved, every need met, and they are generally happy.  We are children living in this world under the direct watchful ‘eye’ of God the Father.  Much of what we see larger than us, situations come into our lives bigger than us, and we cannot live without God intervening on our behalf.  Like the child the many huge obstacles in our lives can swallow us up without God loving us and keeping us close to His heart.  Our faith rests in Him, we trust His eye to keep us safe in this world of danger.

Like standing on the roof today viewing Quito in a different light we believe God can “help” us see as He does all our living while we work for Him wherever we go and whatever comes into life’s path.  This sickness we live with not so big in God’s eye, nothing to hard for Him, we His children must remember this and live as He sees us.
We pray to see like the Father’s eye views the world.  We pray to be vessels used by Him to pour water on this thirsty dry earth.
“To see though Gods eye our desire.”

Our Love and Prayers.
David and Phyllis

QUITO, ECUADOR

While away from home we daily receive great comfort and strength knowing our family, friends who uphold us in their prayers and thoughts. We are now beginning our 6th week of cancer treatments in Quito, Ecuador for David. The past two months our lives have been consumed with life saving medical procedures, unfamiliar sights and sounds of living in another country, and understanding what we believe about God continues to be more true now than at any other time in our 38 years of married life. Both of us believe what we were taught as children by our Godly parents: Jesus Christ our Savior knows our names, knows what we need, knows our hearts desires, knows our love for Him, and knows our tomorrows. Our God reigns in our lives today as He has these past 50 years. David and I, as 9 year old children, believed John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Our desire the same today as when 9 years old, to serve our Lord and Savior with all our heart, mind, and soul– to walk this life’s path with Him. After marrying in 1972 we determined to continue walking with our Lord, raising our children to know God, and serve Him our highest goal as parents. David always willing to risk all he is and has for the gospel of Jesus Christ with me holding tight to his hand while guiding our children through the good and bad of this life. We believe one more time God is restoring health to David’s body. We believe the enemy wants to stop our harvest of life while we serve God in this world. But he cannot steal our lives– God restores –by faith we believe God is healing David. When we are weak God restores. The enemy knows our value and your value to God –he attacks –God restores. We are healed by the blood of Jesus Christ. The enemy lost. Our God reigns. We have received many cards, letters, emails, and calls from you telling us that you are praying for David and I. With your prayers we see ourselves on the other side of this temporary trial we are now walking through. We praise Him for the answer to these prayers. We felt it necessary that each of you know what we believe, and how we are dealing with this difficult time in our lives. Without our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior neither of us could have great confidence that God will one more time intervene on our behalf for complete healing for David. We live in Him today, as we did yesterday, and as we will tomorrow. We continue to place our lives in His care. We are Well. Faith cancels fretting.

Returning to Quito for these cancer treatments not offered in the states has been a sacrifice for our family, and many of you who choose to help defray the cost of being here. We brought several of your cards and letters with us to reread while here. Each signed card, every note written to encourage us, makes David weep at your love for him. Over and over we try to come up with appropriate words to express our gratitude for all the continued prayers, gifts, and care we are receiving from family, friends and even strangers who have helped bear this burden. Offering you our love the best we can give back to you. We are blessed to have each of you a part of our life.

Now to the progress of David’s health. We have been in Quito another week, number five of treatments. David says he is getting use to more procedures, potions and pills. The pill count is up to 70 each day. We spent two weeks home as the last update said putting a stint in David’s bile duct. After three blood test show that the procedure worked, and David’s bile duct is functioning normally, the progress of treatments here will also produce greater results in a shorter time period. Since we do not have to battle the bile poison in his body, and deal with the symptom of itching he is feeling much better this past week. The treatments still are intense, and after 5-6 hours each day he is tired. Because of the vegan diet he has been on for the past few months he has lost a lot of weight. To maintain his weight the doctor is letting him eat some chicken and white fish, no sugar, no dairy, huge amounts of veggies and fruits. David is thankful for this little change; it makes this Ecuadorian food more bearable. When we left home last Saturday David had an ear infection, and cough from a lung infection. He received 2 shots of antibiotic before we left. The doctor here said he would check him out when he arrived, and get rid of the infection by using some of the machines here and IV’s with massive doses of vitamins. As of Tuesday David has no ear problem, and has no cough, his lungs are clear. His color is returning to normal, and the itching from bile poison is about all gone. The doctor wants him to eat and rest so he can continue to kill this cancer. He is eating more, sleeping 100% better, and writing some again. We are going to try to maintain his weight this week and put some pounds back on him. David is feeling better so during the treatments great discussions between the patients occur. Today someone tried to debate him about social issues in America. Opportunity still exists for light to shine in darkness.

The Liberty Bell & Law Memorial is still doing her duty. Our family, the Sons of the American Revolution, American Legion Post 218, and Patriot Guard Riders continue to care for the Bell. David and I are so grateful for these men and women who have taken this duty into their hearts. We are still scheduling events for the bell even from here via email.

When bad things happen in this life we do what we can to change the circumstances working through them as much as humanly possible, and at the same time you lean on family and friends to help hold you while God heals. David and I are learning this daily. We hold fast to our faith, and wait on the Lord. We strive for a fuller knowledge of God. Our resolve is to follow Him always whether in trouble or in blessing. The word of God being meat to our bones.

Our prayer this week Psalms 37. Fret not, rest in the Lord, lean on the Lord, have faith, give Him your load that you carry, wait on the Lord, the Lord shall help, the Lord will deliver, trust in the Lord. These words we will live and consume; our spirits will keep these words in our hearts, and we will praise our Lord for He is Worthy.

Our prayers be with you and your families,
David and Phyllis