Here is some info on us and our work. We need prayer desperately as you will see. But
this info will help bring you up to date so the prayer letters
make sense.
The Picture in a nutshell.
(The nut is getting bigger)
1991 We moved with 2 children to Chiangmai Thailand, found
a house after 2 mos. in a guesthouse, started working at the University of Chiangmai
Computer Service Center, began Thai language study.
1992 Martha is born in Chiangmai. We host a summer
training program in Chiangmai.
1993 Ministering to several distinct small groups of
people (Phreeporn Church; DendumrongTham, and Ajarn Tewatt)
1994,1995 Begin a patient database network for the
oncology/radiology unit at Suandok Hospital. Start a 2 year long medical professionals
Bible Study.
1996 Pam (my wife) is diagnosed with breast cancer.
Biopsy, mastectomy, chemotherapy all in Chiangmai. We received tremendous support through
relationships among Thai professionals.
1997 Plant first church 4 adult members Giet, Amphan, Pam
and me.
1999 Plant second, third and forth church - Nav summer
training program - Pam has a recurrence of cancer - radiation treatment.
2000 Pam has a third recurrence and there are no treatment
options left in Thailand. We move to the Boston area at the Dana Farber Cancer
Institute.
2 Timothy 2:2 - The first six years in Thailand we invested in three lives, Dhi, Geaw,
and Geit. in 1997 we started the first fellowship with Geit leading. Today
(2000) the size of
that fellowship is about 70 people.
Geaw our milkman when we arrived at the guesthouse in 1991 now leads a fellowship in
Meajo. The fellowship grew from 0 to 50 in 2 months 20 new Christians and some 30 non
Christians are involved. This was a very exciting work for us.
Dhi met us at the airport when we first arrived, his last year in University. He and
Jim, his wife, lived in Chiangmai but are doing outreach in Sankhapeang. They have built a
house there and their fellowship is growing.
Som we began to disciple in 98 and he is now leading a fellowship of 15 Burmese
refugees in the slums of Chiangmai.
So faithful men are themselves teaching others. Our
departure is hard
both due to Pam's health and our hearts desire to see these fellowship flourish.
Practicing 2 Tim 2:1,2 works. This type of growth is
unheard of in Thailand.
2000 Pam has heart and
lungs fill with fluid crushing her heart. She is operated on 3 times. The third operation
is accompanied by a stroke and leads to 9 days in ICU. During this time we are told she
will die and to have the children come in and say goodbye. God's mercy triumphs over death
and Pam begins Taxol and Herceptin on a weekly basis (for 2 years).
2001 Pam has radiation to
her chest wall and breast again. Continues on Taxol throughout the year.
2002 Pam has a lung tumor
show up and then a brain tumor. She has Stereotactic Surgery to
the brain. The side effects last about 3 months. She changes her chemo regimen to Navilbine
and Hercetin. This treatment wreaked havoc on her white blood counts.
2003
On our anniversary of this year we spent time
in the Radio Oncology Unit of Brigham and Women's hospital. Earlier this year
they found a second Brian Tumor. The decision was made to use
Steriotactic Surgery a second time. Then again
in November Pam was diagnosed with her third Brain
Tumor. The Doctors spent time trying to decide just what it was and what to do.
They were considering what type of therapy to engage. They continued to evaluate
and monitor this tumor until early 2004. All this time Pam continued her
treatments of Navilbine and Herceptin.
2004
In January Pam
received whole brain radiation. It was 15 days of Brain radiation. Also, her
tumors began to increase in size and spread more. The decision was made to
change her chemo to Xaloda. This chemo is taken orally. But it did not really
have any effect and once again her chemo was changed to Doxil. This Chemo
destroys the skin on the hands and feet causing cracking, swelling and bleeding
in these extremities. Pam reacted very poorly and could not hold a pencil, walk
more than a couple of feet, and had great difficulty keeping her food in her
stomach. They have reduced the amount of chemo they are using. Once it was
obvious it was not working we changed Chemos again to Gemcitabine. This
treatment is accompanied by Herceptin, an immune enhancer. Pam's weight dropped down to 104 lbs from a high of 168. Her chest and back are covered with tumors. She has
a tumor in her neck. She is tired and in pain most of the time. There is
activity in her lungs, fluid in both lungs, and increase tumor activity in her abdomen.
The good news? These tumors are not causing
mortal danger. Of greatest concern is a return of tumor activity in the Brian.
Pam's
Entry in to Glory:
On the early morning of November 22, 2004 Pam closed her eyes and went to be
with the Lord. She died of an aneurism. There was great pain and sadness upon
her passing. She was improving in both health and weight on the new Chemo. But
her body was just too tired. The
wake was Friday(11/26/2004) and Saturday(11/27/2004)
was the memorial services. At the service Hannah
(17 yrs old at the time) played the Hymns and sang a solo. She is very
accomplished. It was hard for her, but she really wanted to do it and did a
great job. I
preached. I will share a story with you I shared on Saturday. I was in the
closet getting my clothes and I saw Pam's bathrobe. I grabbed it and breathed
in deeply - all I smelled was the clean smell of Laundry detergent. I wanted to
sense Pam's presence so I went to the bed and took her pillow, inhaling deeply.
Again only a clean smell. Pam kept a very clean home.
Later I decided to use her journal and
bible for my QT. I opened to her last passage and I felt it was especially for
me - from Jer. 17. It was underlined, "But blessed is the man who trusts in the
LORD, whose confidence is in him." It was a word to my soul at that moment. I then
drew the bible to my lips and Thanked God for His comfort and encouragement to
me. At that moment as the Bible touched my lips I could smell Pam. She handled
her Bible constantly reading through it every year. And I felt yes there is
where Pam lived - in His word.
Pam was
not a perfect woman but she was a very Godly one. I will miss her greatly but am
proud of who she is and privileged to have the years we shared.
2005 A hard year of adjustent.
2006 Returning to
Thailand for the first time since 2000. Leading a ministry team of 16 US
students.
2007 Return to Thailand to encourage the ministry as well as
participate in an all Asian conference in Malaysia. We discover that the
ministry has grown amazingly in these intervening years.
2008 Visit the Thai ministries again encouraging the local and
collegiate people. Participating once again in the Malaysian Conference. Engaged
with leaders among many of the hard to reach people groups (Hindu, Buddhist,
Islam). Train teams to enter closed countries in SEA. Plans in place to return
to Thailand permanently in Fall 2008.
Please Pray for us
McBride's Computer Services Voice Mail 877-671-2321
