November 18, 2002

Dear Friends,
     I spoke with Paul's father, Mark, today, and he gave me a good update on
Paul's progress. Here's a summary:

     Paul was taken from ICU today (Monday). He is still unable to swallow
easily, and cannot cough. This, and the fact that his speech is rather slurred
and one eye is not responding well, indicate some nerve damage to the head area.
The respirator has been removed and he is breathing on his own, although he is
using an oxygen mask. There has been a fluid build-up in his lungs, which he is
unable to cough up. Despite that, he is talking quite well, and recognizing
everyone, and making jokes. Today, he saw his younger brother, Jonathan, for the
first time, and laughed and joked with him for a few minutes.
     A new break was found in his tibia, which had been overlooked somehow in
the focus on the  other major injuries. That is to be set tomorrow or the next
day. They plan to suction his lungs at the same time, to give him a bit of a
boost.
     Because of all the breaks (both femurs, both wrists, and one tibia
fracture), it will be difficult to assess any possible neural damage to his
extremities. Understandably, there is some anxiety about this, but everyone here
is praising God that Paul is alert and able to chat, now that he is off the
respirator.
     As I mentioned, I have taken over Mark's responsibilities with the RVA
choir. There are two Christmas concerts this weekend in Nairobi (Saturday) and
one here (Sunday night). Please pray that I will be able to "get it all
together" and learn my part well as the director, so that the choir will be able
to trust my direction. Pray for the choir, and pray for the audience. We will be
performing in shopping centres, so the audience will include many who are not
Christians. We have been invited to sing at the hospital where Paul is staying,
which is a Moslem hospital. Pray that this might work out, and that the Name of
Jesus will be glorified there as well.
     Thanks so much for praying. It has been very encouraging to hear from a
number of you with assurances of your prayers. Mark said today that the presence
of the Lord has been very real to him and his wife, Deborah, during this time. I
know that's because so many have been praying over the family. God's blessings
to you. Take care !
Tim