CRUSHED GRAPES MINISTRY |
Frank B. Smith, Director, PO Box 3009, Vista, CA. 92085-3009 |
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September 23, 2003 Dear friends and loved ones, I am presently at Jim and Patty Huber's home at Green Oak Ranch in Vista, California recuperating from surgery. Here's what happened: I arrived in Taiwan August 11 after a very busy three weeks. I was tired, but excited about seeing Mike and his family, preaching in the Chinese congregation, and traveling with the family. For about three days I was enjoying the grandchildren, getting over jet lag and then on Thursday August 14 while eating pot stickers at a sidewalk café I felt like something ripped deep in my stomach. We had a wonderful house church meeting that night, but I knew I was very sick. On Friday I rode on the back of Mike's scooter to a local doctor. He was a children's doctor, but specialized in stomach stuff. He poked, prodded and assured me (through Mike) that it was definitely not my appendix. I left with a packet of antacids and some other pills (?) and a determination not to let food poisoning or a stomach infection ruin the trip. That evening the two Pastors from the Chinese congregation and their wives came over for dinner and a time to get acquainted. It was a sweet time of fellowship and prayer and pain. One of them was a genuine foot therapist - the ones who deal with internal organs through the soles of the feet. When he worked on me and got his knuckle deep into my arch, I thought he would break my foot in half. Sunday the 17th, I preached - not very loud or very long, but that's typical. Mike and Nico hosted a potluck dinner that evening. Again it was wonderful fellowship, but I was sick. Monday afternoon we left on the six-day trip, starting in the mountains. Tuesday we drove to Taroko Gorge and stayed two nights in Japanese style accommodations - that means you sleep on a mat on the floor with a little pad. Thursday we headed down the East Coast of Taiwan to the Oasis, a Missionary retreat center in the south. We made one short stop to swim in the ocean. On Friday we loaded up with snorkeling stuff from the Oasis and headed for the beach. I struggled to get out to sea with flippers on and no proper shoes. When I got out there, I did one swim across the area and pulled up at a buoy which had a boat tethered to it. I hugged the buoy, sat on the rope, and cried out to God. I was trembling and couldn't catch my breath. I wondered if it was another heart attack, or just what was going on. After several minutes the intensity passed and I swam back to shore and a chair. I'm certain that was my closest brush with death. Saturday we returned home, Sunday Church, two more dinners at the house, and on Wednesday I returned to California on the most miserable, uncomfortable flight I have ever taken. I crashed Wednesday night, called my doctor on Thursday who was on vacation, but got an appointment for Friday with his young associate. I was glad to wait until Friday as that gave me an opportunity for the men at the Promise Keepers breakfast Friday morning to pray over me and anoint me. Doctors are wonderful servants of God, but our first response should be to call the elders of the church. It was now two weeks since the tearing in my gut. This time when the doctor poked and prodded he suspected appendicitis, and ordered x-rays, blood tests, and a CT Scan as soon as possible. Because it was Labor Day weekend, the CT Scan wasn't done until Tuesday. Betty came down and stayed with me over the weekend, took the next week off work and also nursed me every weekend since. I thank God for what He has done in our relationship. Once the doctor saw the CT Scan, I was immediately put in the hospital and scheduled for surgery ASAP. On Thursday September 4, they removed a huge gangrenous mass that had eaten some of my colon, a little of my small intestine, and gobbled up the appendix in the process. The incision was huge so they could clean up the mess throughout the stomach cavity. After eight days the tubes were removed and I went back to the Huber's. Friday September 19 we went to my regular doctor to get the staples removed. I told him I was discouraged because I could still hardly talk, I feel awful, and that now two weeks after surgery I still feel so weak and hurt. This dear friend and Christian brother got very serious and said, "Frank, you should have died. With a surgery like you had, it could take months before you feel strong again." In my strange ways, this somehow comforted me, and I began to feel better right away. I am getting stronger every day and am looking forward to getting back into the action with Jesus. This has been a most profound time with Him and I trust that the suffering and testing has helped conform me closer to His image. I am, however, looking forward to a different venue of lifestyle. Someone said, "Every day before surgery was a miracle." That's true, but it also means that every day from now on is also a miracle. In Him we live and move and have our being. I can use some help. For years God has not allowed me to speak about finances even though I live from His hand through tithes and offerings of His people as He moves them to support Crushed Grapes Ministry. He has usually forbidden me to speak about needs with anyone but Him. Now, however, He said I could mention the medical expenses - I must pay the 20% not covered by Medicare, and also to encourage anyone who would like to help with the ongoing ministry of Crushed Grapes. If God should move you this way, I will be most grateful. To all of you who have so faithfully responded to the Lord these past years, I thank you and praise God for you. Your names and generosity have been often recounted before the Lord. Well, enough. It's tough to sit at this computer and I want to get on with healing and serving. I hope and pray we can do some exploits in the Kingdom together in these exciting and closing moments of this age. Take courage, it's all in His hands. P.S. We've scheduled a Southern California gathering at Green Oak Ranch, Saturday October 4, at 10:30 AM. I hope to head for Nebraska soon after. Love in Christ, Frank Smith  Ps: Hungersite.com is an advertising website that feeds the hungry. Every “hit” sends a meal to a hungry person in a third world country. Check it out and if you feel it’s worthwhile, put it on your favorite sites. It is an easy and convenient way to help the hungry and a good reminder to pray. |