A Call To Serve: Update from Snowy New England!

In a couple weeks we will have been back in the United States for 1 year already! It’s hard to imagine so much time has passed. We both often find ourselves lost in thought about our time in South Africa. We still have nights full of dreams of Africa waking to an emotional longing to return there. I think it’s safe to say we still have hearts for South Africa. With the sad news of Nelson Mandela, the country has been in headlines often, keeping thoughts of Africa in our minds even more. But God has us here and we must keep focus.

It has already been 3 months since our last posting and we have about 6 months of news. It is incredible how fast time can go by. Where do we begin?

Our last post mentioned dad is now a double amputee and he had moved into our home with us where we could better care for him. He initially needed a lot of help to do everyday tasks. As his strength grew (and his confidence), he was getting more and more capable of transferring himself from wheelchair to toilet, wheelchair to bed, wheelchair to shower chair, etc. He got better at dressing and washing himself, and even became a record holder at Wii bowling.

Having our living room as his bedroom was not an ideal situation, for all of us. So we had been searching for a house. We hoped to find something that would best fit his needs with the least amount of modifications. However, we knew some changes would need to be done, so we decided we would need to buy a home instead of rent. That way we would be free to make any modifications necessary (widen doorways for the wheelchair, install hand rails by the toilet and shower, build a permanent ramp to get in and out of the house). We searched for a few months but came across nothing, at least within our price range. Pressured by the upcoming winter (our current house was very cold in the winter and too expensive to keep warm enough for dad), we were becoming concerned. Finally, our realtor showed us a place that was mostly handicap accessible. There was an entrance capable for the wheelchair to the basement and installation of a chair lift would be all that was needed. So we put an offer on the house. Pre-approved for a federal USDA loan, we submitted the paperwork.

Then the government went on furlough.

Funny how the one time we actually needed our government for something, they were closed. So with an uncertain timeframe of government closure, a time limit on the purchase offer, an upcoming expiring lease in our current home and an approaching cold winter, we had to do something. After a lot of research and phone calls, we found an assisted living facility for dad. Now capable of so much more, we were all comfortable with him living independently (with assistance). So in November, dad moved to Sunrise Assisted Living where he is fed three meals daily, has his own apartment room, social events and all the ice cream he wants. He has been very happy there the past few weeks and his getting more and more comfortable.

Jeanine goes to see him almost daily to help with his medications and assist with showers. After the holidays, she is going to start looking for work to help pay for his expenses there. The rent is costly and his pension is not enough to cover it.

As for us, with no need to buy a house anymore and a non-functional government to give us money, we moved into a nice apartment located between dad’s place and Mike’s work. Our living room windows look out into a small garden area with a gazebo and icicle Christmas lights. The place is small and comfortable and, best of all, allows pets. So our next posting may include a new addition to our family, some sort of furry creature.

Things keep moving forward and we are never quite sure what will happen next. We have witnessed time and time again Gods faithfulness and blessings. We ask for your prayers in dad’s comfort in his new home and that he may have the finances to cover rent.

God bless,
Mike and Jeanine