the cure for cancer

For any of you that haven’t heard, I (Aaron) have been undergoing a series of clinical tests after discovering a lump in front of my right ear. After one inconclusive MRI and two inconclusive biopsies, our specialist decided to remove the lump so that it could be tested directly. The doctor called us on Wednesday to let us know that the lump indicates that (as suspected) I have Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. A number of you have asked questions regarding the impact of this news on our timeline of planting The Line in Chicago in Jan 2009, so I’d like to clarify things here a bit.

First, I want to thank you for your prayers for healing in my body and for peace in our hearts. Kayla and I have had much experience being held tightly in the arms of Jesus through difficult times, and I can tell you that this situation is no different. Although we know that the months ahead will most likely hold extremely unpleasant circumstances (chemotherapy and radiation treatment are not the most enjoyable of diet plans), the stillness of heart and nearness to God’s presence that the scriptures promise God’s children us are certainly ours in this time.

In addition, our calling and desire to plant in Chicago has not wavered an instant from the moment we heard that Hodgkin’s Disease was a possibility to now. God drew our hearts to Chicago, guided us in making a timeline, and let us begin a massive recruiting effort for this work, all the while knowing that I would face cancer this year. We may not know exactly what He is doing, but we can rest assured that in His sovereignty He is planning something wonderful. As such, we are continuing with plans to re-locate and plant in January 2009, while keeping them submitted to God. I’ve spent this past week praying and planning with many loved ones, friends, and our elder board at Harambee (who neatly fall into both of those last categories), and we are all in happy agreement that this is the way we should proceed.

Finally, we ask that you would please join with us in praise of God the mighty healer who has blessed us with this opportunity to make His name known through our suffering so that the world might be healed in Christ. His ways are not our ways. He is goodness and joy and light in a person, and nothing happens without His permission. How much more wonderful is the cure for cancers in the spirit of man than the cure for cancers in his body.

Solo Dei Gloria
Aaron and Kayla