Compassion for Adrian

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life, and peace they will add to you.

"Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  So you will find favour and good repute in the light of God and man. 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.  It will be healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones." Proverbs 3:1-8

I'm not sure when Adrian first started coming to the Bible studies in my home at the end of 1989.  He was faithful and curious and passionate for the Lord.  He sometimes would meet me in the city and take me to new places, showing off the amazing Sydney from his perspective.

He was a perfect gentleman and so fit...a tri-athlete.  He was one of twelve children and pretty much estranged from a family that seemed normally dysfunctional.  It was easy to see he was a bit lonely and one of the elders had a daughter Adrian had fallen head over heels for.  She, however, never seemed to notice him and his heart broke a thousand times.

There was a huge, unexpected hurricane that whipped through a large part of greater Sydney in about 1991 and one of our pastors lived right in the direct path and their neighbourhood was devastated.  Adrian piled me into the car and drove through all kinds of "flotsam and jetsam" to get us there first to help them clear things up.

Such a big heart, so sensitive for others.  I moved to New Zealand and then back to Sydney.  Adrian always wrote to me and he resettled in Brisbane living with an old uncle, who seemed to be a bit batty but let Adrian live in a little room in the back of his house.  Adrian and his three or four Chihuahua.

He had a stroke one afternoon.  He fell against a door jam and split his head open and nearly died.  After his recovery, he returned to this little room where he slept on the floor.  Then in 1996, there was an horrific flood and pretty much everything Adrian had (but his dogs) was lost.

He lived in a shelter for a long while, always craving his independence and always over exercising to prove that his body would recover fully.  He moved in with some kind people who gave him a bed and a bit of love.  In the middle of one night, Adrian awoke screaming.  It seemed he was in some mysterious pain.

Ambulance attendants thought he was faking and were not gentle with him as they carted him to the hospital.  He lay on a gurney for hours waiting to be helped.  But no real help came and they sent him back.  Two days later the pain was so bad he called his pastor, who came and called the ambulance and went with Adrian to the hospital. 

At the pastor's instance, they treated Adrian with dignity this time and when someone finally actually examined him discovered he had multiple broken bones...crush fractures actually. 

Weeks later in the hospital still, the diagnosis came back that he had multiple myelomas and many of his ribs had been broken and a couple vertebra were now more like dust.  They put him in a halo brace, the circlet screwed into his skull and the girdle of the brace screwed into his hips.  It was the only way he could stand.

And stand he did....he wanted to get fit almost immediately but the pain was too much even for his spirit.  He was probably in the hospital for a month that first time.  When they released him, it was with pockets full of prescriptions for medications like morphine -- the largest dose allowable and he took them for over two years. 

He was in and out of the hospital during these years until he got a new doctor who told him he was no longer allowed to take any morphine.  He forgot to tell Adrian of the realities of cold-turkey withdrawal.  But he fought it all and exercised or walked, slowly or vigorous, one foot sliding in front of another sometimes ... just to not give up.

During this time he would send me texts and photographs he would take on his little walks with his last remaining dog, little Toby.  Pictures of flowers or a park bench, a tire swing, a pretty tree in blossom, his little dog marching so proudly in front of Adrian.

He would call me and talk for hours, most times in horrible pain that would make me cry my heart out when he closed the call.  Sometimes the pain was so bad it made him angry and cross at everything and I would listen and when the call ended, I would cry and pray and wonder why someone so kind was hurting so much.

He found a place to live, again at the back of someone's home and moved all he had managed to accumulate or build in the moments he was able to move through sheer determination.

I would speak with him about how through it all he was never alone and recite Scripture to him when things were tough.  He loved the passage in Proverbs above, and it was something he had memorised and loved saying with me.  I marvelled that he could be so brave through all the pain. 

On his walks he would often sit on one of those park benches he photographed for me and send me the most amazing moments of his personal worship thoughts.  His love of the Lord has never wavered.  Well, a couple of times he could not think of anything but the pain.

He has had more treatments and mistreatments than anyone I've ever known.  And he is back again in hospital, growing weaker.  They spoke with him last time he was in about taking time to go to a special palliative care facility, where he could even have regular visits from his dog...and it scared him so, he checked himself out of the hospital by arguing about things and insisted he had to go.

He was rushed back to hospital last Friday and to the big and well equipped Royal Brisbane Hospital (not the small regional, understaffed and under-prepared facilities near his home).  He is now receiving carefully monitored pain treatment and they have begun a series of new MRI tests. 

Will you please pray for Adrian and for Shane, who has been keeping me informed along this journey of how Adrian is doing, and for Stuart, who is a pastor, we are hoping will return from a trip away to be with Adrian. 

If you know anyone who is near the Brisbane Royal Hospital, who could take just a couple of hours to go by and hold Adrian's hand, I know the Lord would use them mightily as a gift in Adrian's struggle. 

Or perhaps you could even send him a card or some flowers...God knows how happy it may make him feel and he is not really on the computer much anymore or even texting.  (his name is Adrian Stokes).  Thank you.

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, who prays for you each morning, Darlene

(( Please remember to send me prayer updates. ))

PS:  My statement of faith is on the blog:  Especially His Love .  Either click the link or cut and paste this link in your Web browser (http://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com.au/ )

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST?

• •             UPDATE - Adrian –On Friday, Adrian was again rushed to the big hospital, suffering intense pain.  They have admitted him.  He called me Saturday night and talked for a good while before he fell asleep.  He tries to be so brave, but he is starting to be very tired.  Pray for him, that he will stay in the hospital this time long enough to gain some strength and please pray for the care of his dog, Toby. Social services have again promised assistance, nursing care and help with finding new accommodation.  No word when/ if they will fix his teeth or on his terrible stomach pain or let him know if the cancer treatments are working. 
• •             Thank our Father for Shane and Carol, his wife (who flew out to do missionary work on Friday as well that she will be safe!).  Pray they will have Jesus' heart for Adrian and continued strength and the time to help him.  Pray Stewart McClelland, (a retired pastor) will be there with Adrian soon.
• •             Donald Trump - the President of the USA.  If ever there was a time to pray for an individual, it is now!  No matter whom you voted for or wanted as President, it is our responsibility as Christians. to remember God has a plan through this man.  Pray someone helps him understand the true meaning of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and that he will have someone to regularly disciple him.  So much depends on it.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS?

• ·        London Bridge Bombings - please pray for those who have lost loved ones and those feeling fear.  Pray for the safety of the peace officers and soldiers trying to restore order in chaos.
• ·        Fin will have his hip surgery within 60 days and has some things to do to prepare for this.  Pray for his patience and his resolved to do what the doctors have advised him.  Pray also for Deborah, his friend that her work slows down enough that she can watch over Fin a bit more.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• •             Hans has completed nine months of therapy and returned home.  Pray he finds gainful employment, Christian companions and leaders wherever he is.
• •             David R - is thanking and praising God for what the doctors are seeing as unexpected and not possible with the recovery of sight in his one eye and the concern for signs of dementia disappearing at his last check-ups.  Surely the hand of the Lord is not short in any of our lives and still works in ways we cannot understand for our good and His glory!
• •             Adrian (Patti's 5-1/2-year-old grandson) with serious behaviour problems (regularly removed from Preschool classes for safety of other children).  Pray for parents, teachers, doctors and Adrian. Prayers are being answered! He has had two weeks of GOOD behaviour at school! The school personnel and doctors have done a fantastic job of setting him up for success next year in first grade (instead of Kindergarten) with medication and one-on-one aides for all his activities.
• •             Careena S - with MS and Lyme's Disease is feeling more steady and generally better for the last few weeks.  The Lord has given her a small miracle in answer to your prayers!  How wonderful our Lord!  She manages a household with husband and five children and two very cute little dogs. 
• •             Meldapilu - hip and knee replacement from accident in October healed well.  Recovering now from a second operation for her knee.  She is slowly getting back to normal and is thankful she will be able to walk!
• •             Doris (my "second mom")- 98-years young, growing stronger every day and sharing the Gospel with vigour! Will finally get into dentist to start getting three new partials - Has lost weight due to not being able to chew well (now on Ensure for nourishment).  Just enjoyed a "Senior Prom" in her assisted living facility and thoroughly enjoyed it!
• •             CK (78 years old stroke survivor) able to drive again! Started on a new medicine and seems to be doing much better mentally!
• •             Patti (daughter of Doris) asthma now controlled - may be seasonal; getting along well with CPAP therapy for sleep apnea! .
• •             BG - his headaches have been diagnosed as a type of mini-strokes.  He needs our prayers to strengthen him and keep him calm.  
• •             Steve/ Fion -  Pray for his wisdom, creativity, strength, more funding for his university.
• •             Raven - continues to strengthen after her long ordeal with cancer.  New cancer meds have given her a more normal life.  Pray she will be found cancer-free.
• •             Praise the Lord and pray for the many individuals in Russia, US, Australia, UK, Poland, Germany, France, Portugal, American Samoa, Romania, Ukraine, Estonia, Singapore, China, India and Alaska who are regularly reading the WeakDay Devotion on-line.  The blog seems to be gathering an audience in unexpected and mysterious geographic locations.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

• •             Claudio - diagnosed with liver cancer.  Please pray for him and his health carers to be compassionate and wise.  Pray for Elea, his wife, as she holds his hand through this --that she has strength and hope.
• •             My brother, Tim - Weather is improving and it is so much easier for him to breathe right now with his COPD (cardio-obstructive pulmonary disease).  Pray for his strength, wisdom and health.  Pray also for Barb, his wife, who supports and cares for him. 
• •             Liriel - chronically ill and often in pain.  Pray for her comfort and that she can find some joy in each day.
• •             L. Mel - not sleeping and worried about a physical problem.  Please pray for her to rest and seek the peace of the Lord.
• •             John (stroke survivor) reached a recovery plateau.  Trying to release some responsibilities of managing his big farm and has agreed to talk to a specialist about "keeping the farm in the family and the family on the farm" His sleep apnea is well controlled with his CPAP machine. Recently started insulin to replace meds that weren't effective any more. Still needs to take a more active personal role in his health.
• •             Julia (Patti's daughter) battling depression from lingering concussion symptoms. Still in need of TIME to get proper rest and therapy.  Very difficult with full-time teaching job and five children (one is Adrian in prayer list above), even with husband's help. Pray she rededicates her life to the Lord Jesus Christ - she is trying to do all herself, not relying on Him anymore...
• •             Aunt Donna - (Doris' sister, age 84) has dementia. Please pray for her daughters for guidance in her care. Daughters report she is worse when stressed, but sometimes on phone calls she seems completely lucid and normal!

PRAYERS SPECIFICALLY FOR SALVATION

• •             Continue to pray for the special person you identified in your assignment until they fall into His arms.  Then you can pick another to pray for!
• •             Robin Hopcroft - her brother asks we pray for her safety, that she learns of and understands the saving grace of Jesus and that her life becomes filled with the life-changing love of the Lord.
• •             Pray for RS who I had the delightful privilege of sharing the Gospel with.  Please pray for her that she keeps considering what we discussed.
• •             Bobby and George - that they will begin to consider Christ. 
• •             Karen - who I spoke with recently about the Lord, that in her confusion and the chaos of her job, she will search for His peace.
• •             Jenny - Recently lost her husband and needs comfort, strength and true answers in the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ as so much still needs sorting out. 
• •             Adam - his life is filled with confusion and need.  Pray someone comes alongside him to help him see how much the Lord loves him.
• •             Scott (in the USA) recently single father who must now care for his children alone; and that this situation will help his heart melt in awareness of the Lord's love for him.
• •             Bible study in Jo's home.  Pray for wisdom of Jo and openness in the women who meet together, especially Angie and Liz.
• •             Toron - (19-year-old) Pray for him to find direction and encouragement and most of all to come to the Lord. 
• •             Lennie - PS ex-son-in-law and father to PS' 11-year-old granddaughter.  Please pray for his salvation. Patti invited granddaughter and him to lunch at a nearby restaurant while they were visiting over Spring Break.  It was the first time since the divorce nine years ago that I got to talk face-to-face with him -- a step in the right direction - he has no friends!
• •             Sarah - that God continues to work in His mysterious ways in her life and captures her heart. She returned home long enough to get her belongings and brought a cousin with her for "protection".  Now living with an uncle and cousin, changed churches, and still holding down a part-time job at a fast food restaurant. No contact with parents or brother, yet.
• •             DB's father - (84 years) pray his heart opens to Christ.  He is an avowed – and boastfully proud – atheist. 
• •             Chester (Adrian's friend) with pancreatic cancer that someone will come share Christ with him soon.

IF YOU ARE A PRAYER WARRIOR - TAKE A LOOK HERE:

• ·        Elaine and Jim -in Hong Kong have begun an online church with a special prayer room that is open 24/7.  A small army of dedicated prayer warriors is waiting to pray with you.  Please pray for them and go here to learn more:  Https://www.thelittlechurchworld.org/prayer-room   

FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

• ·        Audley and Beverly (stroke survivor) No word yet about situation after Medicaid stopped providing much-needed home care for her.  Pray for wisdom as Audley cares for his beloved wife.  Pray God continues to multiply the effectiveness of his radio ministry in Florida.
• ·        Doug McIntosh - an invaluable contributor to my love of Bible study has multiple myelomas.  Please pray for him (he continues to teach), his family and the church he has worked so faithfully in, Cornerstone, in Lilburn Georgia.
• ·        St Marks Anglican Church Northbridge - and the many who serve there, especially the pastors:  Simon Flinders, Adam Street, Pat O'Keeffe, Kathy Notley and their families.
• ·        Jenny S - a Bible teacher and expositor who serves in many ways -- for strength, wisdom, protection and the right handling of God's Word.
• ·        Jo and Steve - for their NZ ministries and for reconciliation with one of Jo's sisters. 
• ·        Stu and Jo and their grown children, Laura and Jason - the entire family is involved in full-time ministry in NZ and were just on a mission.  Keep them strong, healthy and resolute. 
• ·        Please pray for JB, that our loving Father provides him ample opportunity to continue his ministry in Sydney.
• ·        Buddy and Susan Smith (in Queensland) and Kevin and Sandy Currell (in Melbourne) need your prayers for their ministries.
• ·        The Catholic Church and the Pope, who need our prayers that he will always put Jesus first in all his decisions.

Ambassadors for Christ: 

• •             Isaias and Judith - in the Philippines - a land growing increasingly chaotic and dangerous.  Pray our Father continues to keep them strong and safe and that they find balance for their lives and health.  Need extra prayer this month as they are prepare for a general assembly of their denomination in Manila.  This means their home will host more than a dozen additional people. 
• •             Judith is slowly recovering from her back problems.  Please pray for her faithfulness with her physical therapy. 
• •             Isaias must rest and prepare for his part in leading the meetings. 
• •             Edna Losbanes - wife of Staff Evangelist, Isachar Losbanes, is recovering from a stroke 29 December, now able to get around using a walker. 
• •             o      These wonderful individuals give so much to so many for so little.  Please, take a moment to learn more about their tireless ministry:  Go to:  http://www.afciworld.org  Look for "Nations" then click:   "Philippines".

ONGOING WORK RELATED

• •             Deepak - has worked tirelessly for years to develop his business and needs people to pay what they owe him so he can have more time with his young daughter.   
• •             Sergio - his projects have ended and he is looking for work again.  He is in Mexico City where work for graphic designers is rare.  I've just recommended him to one of my contacts.
• •             Paul - Had a promising interview last week.  He has not had paying work since 2010.  I know the Lord is watching over him because of your prayers.  Most of all, pray his heart melts enough for the Truth to touch him where it hurts. 

PRAY FOR THE WORLD

• •             That the Lord's hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who read these devotions.  That His mighty works will be worked out in each life for His purposes and glory in surprising and wonderful ways!
• •             For Christ-centred, Bible-based revival in the USA and religious freedom for Christians wherever they may be.
• •             Pray for the growing number of displaced people from wars and famine.  These refugees need compassion.

ONGOING PRAYER

• •             Linda and Ian, Rob and his daughter, DB, PS, Reg, JD, Annette and Lyle, Carla and Paul, Jeff and Rachael and their wonderful families.  Grateful thanks for their practical support and encouragement over many years.