In my time of crisis though I have learnt so much about giving and receiving comfort. My family and I are thankful for the many friends we have who did allow awkwardness to keep them away. Sometimes, words are not even necessary; a hug, a squeeze on the hand, convey the love and concern they have for us.
Thank you one and all who rallied around to visit, pray, to give practical help, support, cheer. Almost daily I receive telephone calls, SMS and e-mail messages of encouragement, scripture verses, prayers, tips on diet, positive thinking etc. It is true, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17
Some of the things I and my family have been priviledged to receive: lunch (brought by a dear friend who came to visit); fruits; bread, cakes, cookies and chocolates (I am cutting down but the kids love it!); reading material on cancer care, healthy diet; Orased jel for my sore gums; caps and bandannas to cover my bald head; special shampoo for my scalp, etc.
Apart from physical things, we received acts of service: offers to take me to the doctor for my appointments and to sit with me during the chemo; transport for the kids to tuition; doctor friends offered to make house calls. Today, my friend's mum who's been battling lung cancer and brain cancer called to comfort me, give me tips on coping and fighting with cancer!
More than anything, just knowing that we are being remembered and upheld in prayer daily means so much to me. We have been blessed by you and we pray and look forward to opportunity to bless you in return.
This year our church will be going to Melaka for our annual church "camp" (more like a conference as it is held in a hotel!). I won't be able to go although I was really wanting to. The theme is "Strength in Weakness", they'll be studying the second letter of the apostle Paul to the church in Corinth. I just want to leave you with an extract from 2 Corinthians 1:3-11.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. ... We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
