Pickern Prayer Gram

Dear Prayer Partners,

What an amazing God we serve! We made the trip to Tallahassee fine. Gene had a really rough day yesterday because of the patch they put on him. But I was humbled again that as I was trying to help Gene as he was hurting with such a bad headache that he could not be still because of the pain, I looked up and one of our missionaries was on bended knee praying for him and a young Dominican pastor was in deep prayer with his head bowed. The pain finally eased off and Gene was able to sleep through the night. He was able to rest and sleep some on the flight here and felt well yesterday - especially since he got to see our daughter, son-n-law and grandson - BENEAH!!! And he also got to watch Bama football, and they won!

The medi-vac company in London handled all the arrangements for us. They asked me what hospital and doctor I wanted and they took care of everything. I had heard of one hospital, so I requested that one. Well, we couldn't get it. I didn't know of any doctors. We just left everything up to the Lord. He is so faithful. Guess what He did. He put us in one of the top 100 hospitals in the nation for cardiac care. Plus, this hospital (and I think this doctor) is the only one in the area that does robotic surgery, and that is what Gene is going to have. He will have bypass surgery, where he will have 3 incisions, but the doctor will use robotic arms to do the surgery - which is less invasive. And, they will not stop his heart during the surgery. Thank the Lord! Isn't God awesome?

Because he was given a blood thinner in the DR, he cannot have surgery until Wednesday. But, we found out today that even though that delays surgery, that also probably protected him for the flight home. Otherwise, he could have had a heart attack. We also found out today that medicine Gene just started taking for his recently diagnosed thyroid problems increased his heart rate, which unmasked the heart problem. If not for the thyroid problem, the doctor said he probably would have had a major heart attack. For ALL things work together for good for those who love the Lord and for those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 He is faithful!

Are you ready for something else that is so neat? The doctor asked Gene who we worked for. He told him the International Mission Board of the SBC. He had no idea who that was. So Gene explained who we were and how we operate. When Gene told him how many churches join together in the states to support missionaries, he was amazed. Then he asked how we lived in the DR. Gene told him that you provide us an apartment, a car and insurance, etc. He couldn't believe it. He told Gene that he was very impressed with the people that we work for. He could not believe that our medical department would go through much to get us home and to make sure we got the care that we needed. Wow! What a testimony! To God be the glory! So please, keep on keeping on. I know times are tough. But you are continually a testimony in ways you don't even know. Jesus said that the WORLD would know us by our love. They are knowing of Him by your love for us. Both our world in the DR and your world here in the states. Thank you.

Please pray that God will continue to keep Gene's heart safe, heart attack free. The doctor said that if the mammary artery is not sufficient enough, he will have to strip a vein from his leg and crack open his chest. Pray that this artery will be sufficient. The surgery will take 6 hours. Pray that the doctors and nurses remain alert and God continues to give them divine wisdom and steady hands. Please pray for minimal bleeding. Also that Gene is able to come out of the anesthesia without complications. I pray God's richest blessings on you!! Thank you so very much for your prayers. We love you.

In Christ,

Julie