what we deserve...

When we don’t get what we deserve, it’s a real good thing….a real good thing.

When we get what we don’t deserve, it’s a real good thing….a real good thing.

(ancient Newsboys song)

We are rejoicing tonight that Nate is sitting up, able to walk a little, and has held down food (well, if you can call ‘top ramen’ food J) all day long.  He is feeling immeasurably better after (we are assuming) an extreme case of dengue fever.   His fevers are decreasing daily and he’s now left with some intense joint and muscle pain, fatigue and some compromised liver function.  Overall – we are praising God for sparing his life.

If I had the technological know-how I’d take a picture of Nate sitting in a chair doing nothing to record it for posterity.  Those of you who know him well know it’s a historical occasion!

Yesterday during my time with the Lord, He helped to peel away some of my numbness and exhaustion.  One of the things that Nate said to me during one of the worst days of pain was that he felt like he had had a taste of hell.   Afterwards I asked the Lord “Why did you allow this?  Will we ever know?  Why would my husband go through agonizing pain for so long, to feel like he had been in hell for 4 days?”  He gently reminded me…that my wonderful husband deserves hell, not for 4 days, but for eternity.  And I deserve hell.  And so do our friends in Pal…and He willingly took what we deserved, and went to hell for us.

But hell couldn’t keep Him.  I thanked Him with tears of joy that He has rescued us from hell…He has not given us what we deserve.

Nate will have another set of labs drawn on Thursday and we will have a better idea at that time of what we should plan for recovery time.  What we have heard from our mission doctor and others who have had extreme cases of dengue is to expect 3 weeks to 3 months to regain full strength.   Praise Him with us that Nate’s life was spared.  We are so thankful for the hundreds around the world who have been praying for Nate.  Thank you for all of your encouragement through these days.

Thank you for continuing to pray for our co-workers newly arrived to the tribe, Chris and Maggie.  They are facing daily decisions and a new language and culture. 

With grateful hearts,

Elizabeth for the Claasens

Posted via email from PNG Time