Bethel Fellowship International

February 7, 2012 — Nishinomiya, JAPAN

Greetings everyone,

It’s been a while since I’ve sent out an update. Since surgery in the fall, Kathleen returned to Japan and has been receiving chemotherapy treatments. Unfortunately, the cancer remains, as her blood numbers are elevated above normal, but stable at this time.

So, we need to seek another option, as she must quit the current chemo course soon. We have been strongly encouraged to take a drug called Avastin, which may be very effective for Kathleen’s particular type of ovarian cancer. But a big problem with that drug is that it is not covered by insurance. We have found a doctor in Japan who will administer Avastin for as cheap as anywhere that we can find, including other Asian countries and the US. In addition, he has said that he will gladly work with her local doctor, so that she can get Avastin in Tokyo and the other drug(s) at our local hospital, where they would be covered by insurance. The Avastin alone will probably cost about $7000.00 per month (500,000 yen) and she will probably need a minimum of six months.

We feel like a door has been opened, but, as you can see, we need prayer for this situation. First of all, tomorrow is a very important appointment with Kathleen’s regular oncologist. Please pray that she can have a fruitful discussion with him and that he is willing to go along with this rather unorthodox plan. We need him to be willing to work with the other doctor in Tokyo. Also, we need wisdom to make a lot of choices coming up. Second, if we go this route, the bills are going to be overwhelming. Please pray that somehow these expenses can be covered.

In addition to those specific requests, please continue to pray that Kathleen will be fully healed. We have not given up hope for that and consider that one of the ways that God can work is through the doctors. Bottom line, we need a miracle and believe that all things are possible through Christ. Also, don’t forget to give thanks to the Lord for the miracles we have seen so far. Kathleen has outlived the projections, survived 4 major surgeries and received over 60 courses of chemo. Amazing! We praise God for his mercy.

You have stood with us for nearly five years now with incredible faith and support. The road has not always been an easy one, but we truly believe that Kathleen would not be with us today and still putting up a fight without you. We’ve said it before and still mean it from the bottom of our hearts, thank you very much!

Much love, Mark