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The latest photo of Yours Trulys! Andrea is looking good in spite of her Grave's Disease diagnosis.

Richard & Andrea Carver

July 2008 Newsletter:

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July 21st, 2008

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Well, it truly has been a while since you heard from us! I am sure you are wondering what the latest news is, especially in regards to Andrea’s health.

To try to briefly summarise the last six weeks... we have all returned to Australia while Andrea’s health problems are investigated. Indications were that Andrea would have to stay in Australia for 2-3 months while the problem was investigated, and we are thankful that God opened the door for us all to return to Australia as a family. Originally, Andrea was going to take Timothy and leave me and Laura alone in PNG, but I really don’t think we could survive without a mother for that long!

We arrived here in early June, and it was so funny to see Timothy (4 years old) experience culture shock as we drove from the airport. He couldn’t refrain from comments such as “Look, nobody’s walking!”, “Where are all the people?”, “Everybody has a house”.

Probably one of the funniest comments he made was down in Lismore town. To make sense of Tim’s comment, you must understand what betel-nut is. Betel-nut is a nut that is chewed in Papua New Guinea; a disgusting habit similar in concept to chewing tobacco; and is spat out literally everywhere. The bright-red residue is splattered all over roads, walls and fences. Well, while we were down in Lismore town, there were some roadworks, and the workers had spray-painted on the tar with neon-red spray paint. Timothy pointed downwards, and exclaimed “Look, Grandpa, betel-nut!” Finally, he had found something that associated with Papua New Guinea!

Laura with Grandpa at sunset on the pier.

Andrea has now been to the specialist, and he has confirmed Andrea’s diagnosis of Grave’s Disease (hyperthyroidism). Andrea has been placed on thyroid-inhibiting tablets, and is being monitored to ascertain whether it is having the desired effect of reducing her thyroid levels. It is probable that she will be on the medication for life.

It has been amazing how God has helped us. The specialist took a special interest in Andrea, and at the end of the consultations told his Receptionist not to charge us for his services! Andreas’s visits have been totally cost-free! This is very unusual for medical professionals, and we thank Dr. LePre for his kindness to us. May God bless him.

Dr. LePre also expressed surprise that Andrea was not more worse off than she is. He mentioned that a person with thyroid levels elevated as much as Andrea’s were should be exhibiting much more ‘thyro-toxic’ symptoms. He told her that “you don’t appear like a toxic person to me”. This is the second time we’ve heard this comment; our doctor in PNG also expressed surprise that Andrea’s symptoms were not much worse, considering her thyroid levels.

Andrea attributes this solely to God enabling her to “bear it”, especially during the two months in Papua New Guinea where we were unable to leave or seek further medical help (while Andrea’s Passport and Visa was being renewed). We thank God for this.

Tim and I try the toboggan at Coffs Harbour, Australia

Another thing that persuaded me to come down to Australia with Andrea was a pitiful plea for help from Dad. Both his computers were BSOD, and totally unable to function. If you don’t know what BSOD means, here is a Japanese Haiku Poem which explains. Haiku Poems must have a strict 5, 7, 5 syllable structure. It was rumoured that Microsoft Japan replaced all the bland Windows error messages with Haiku Poems, and that this was an actual error message in the Japanese Windows XP version, but this rumour turned out to be false... Anyway, it goes like this:

    Windows XP crashed
    I am the Blue Screen of Death
    No one hears your screams.

Ahem... er... Back to the point, Dad’s computers had died the death, and he was despairing as the above indicates one tends to do upon seeing a terminal BSOD. So for the last six weeks (yes, it has taken that long to sort it all out), I have been reviving his computers so he can at least get some work done! After such a major overhaul, they should last for a few more years now without problems...

I have booked to return to PNG in mid-August, as there are two Ministers Seminars which I have to teach at. Andrea and the children will stay in Australia to continue her treatment until September 8th, when they will return to PNG to rejoin me.

Laura and Timothy with a llama during our visit to Australia

I ask for your thoughts and prayers for the weeks that we are separated, and that God would continue to help and heal Andrea.

I must say a special thank you to all those who sent financial contributions to enable Andrea to come back to Australia, as it would not have been possible without your help. We do so much appreciate your help as we labour together as labourers and joint-heirs with Jesus our King.

May God bless you all,

- Richard & Andrea Carver, Laura & Timothy

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