Something’s Happening but it’s not Always at the Zoo!

Simon and Garfunkle used to sing a song “At the Zoo”

The monkeys stand for honesty
Giraffes are insincere
And the elephants are kindly but they’re dumb
Orangutans are skeptical
Of changes in their cages
And the zookeeper is very fond of rum

Zebras are reactionaries
Antelopes are missionaries
Pigeons plot in secrecy
And hamsters turn on frequently
What a gas, you gotta come and see
At the zoo

Well something may be happening at the Zoo … but it’s also happening here! First of all, there is the Gray Lady (NOT my girlfriend but my 2019 Kia Sorento). She has almost 150,000 ministry and rideshare miles on her and amazingly she has no wrinkles or even age spots. Her heart, however, gave out while we were 20 miles from home on the 15th of this month and a transplant was determined to be her only hope for extended life! I previously asked for prayer regarding the situation and here are the results:

1. I asked: Pray that the district manager will be favorable to the replacement of the engine under the extended warranty … (free of charge) * It seems as though my extended warranty only covers certain specific causes for engine failure as determined by the computer code that the engine sends. My vehicle was sending a code that was NOT one of those causes. So … there was no coverage. However, as a result of the Lord’s intervention (I’m convinced He was involved) negotiations yielded an offer of splitting the cost and then the dealer agreed to taking 10% off the labor costs. Net result is that the new engine will cost me ONLY $2600.00. It’s not free but I’m so thankful to God that it is not full price!
2. I asked: Pray that if the dealership cannot provide an appropriate loaner vehicle (they are limited in number and most of them require a can opener for me to get in and out of … and some of them are even electric … UGH!) that KIA will provide for rental costs under the warranty. * It required waiting for 9 days of relying on wonderful friends and a 2 day rental, but eventually a loaner was freed up two days ago (a 2024 KIA Soul). I’ve thought at times that Soul is a strange name for a vehicle model. Is it the immaterial part of a KIA that has died? There is some wonky theology in that thought! It’s much smaller than the Sorento but the same color. It’s odd to walk into the garage and see the much smaller footprint. We call it “Baby Soul”.
3. I asked: Pray regarding the loss of rideshare income. A repair time of less than two weeks would be wonderful and enable me to get back on the road. * The engine was ordered yesterday and it arrived today. They have promised a repair time of less than a week … but it’s been 12 days already in the shop. We are confident that our Lord is aware of the situation and so we wait on Him.

Please add to your prayers the special appeal being made to our missionary support team for help in covering the cost involved in the repairs. We are so blessed to have a support team that has been with us for many years!

Now for developments on the health front.

I am very much encouraged at this point in time. The melanoma tumor has been significantly reduced in size in response to the immunotherapy infusions. We met with the surgeon this week and surgical removal is set for July 10. I’ll continue receiving bi-weekly infusions for the remainder of the year but this development is certainly cause for thanks and praise!

My thyroid is still wacko, however. Low energy and involuntary naps has been par for the course for a couple of months now. Weight gain is also a result and I’m pushing 300 lbs. That’s not good. The medical team is working with the medication and there has been slight improvement so we are hopeful!

Physical Therapy has been a positive experience with steady progress. My biggest issue now is addressing lack of core strength and balance. The therapist wants me to be able to stand on one leg without falling over. It ain’t happening. I’m like a falling stork! I’m able to walk a straight line now without meandering like a drunk. That’s a good thing! My challenge is in pivoting and changing directions. There is an exercise that my therapist wants me to do but it requires getting down on the floor. I have resisted that ever since having my knees replaced a few years ago. Pain and weakness have convinced me that if I ever got on the floor I’d have to call, “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” However, I tried last night with an exercise mat and lots of handy pillows in the bedroom. Under my girlfriend’s watchful eye I drifted down for what I hoped would be a smooth landing and got to within a few inches of the landing strip and then had a hard landing. Being as how my rear end served as my landing gear, there was no lasting damage. I did the exercise and then, accompanied by my girlfriend’s giggles I spent 20 minutes trying to get back up off the floor! Needless to say, I won’t be getting down on the floor again unless we can get an engine hoist in the bedroom …. hmmmm maybe I can work that into the car repair project!

All in all, things are looking in a up and we are SO THANKFUL to the LORD for his faithfulness.