This week has seemed pretty long, but as it is Saturday, a new week awaits us tomorrow morning. The Lord's Day is always a fresh start, another time to focus our eyes on Christ. As for this past week, with Samuel developing a cold, and his hospitalization since Thursday, the family dynamic has changed a bit. This week, Daddy got to get a little better picture of all that Mommy gets done around the house. We will be very glad to have her home again soon (and Samuel too). Mommy's are highly under-appreciated for sure, but even more I realize that as we are almost never apart, I just miss my wife. The kids have been great, and we are happy that nobody else is sick now.
Samuel's condition as of this writing is improving. He was diagnosed with bronchiolitis Thursday morning, and admitted to Pen Bay Medical Center for observation. Over the last few days, his oxygen saturation level and chest retractions(sign of difficulty breathing) have been the primary concern. Friday night, he had less retractions, but this morning (Saturday) they are back.
The morning struggle with retractions may be an issue that comes and goes at different times of day. Often upon waking, babies will have a harder time breathing until they awaken fully and clear out some of the settled mucous in their lungs. What all this means is that Samuel may come home today, and he may not. We should find out soon, as the Doctor will be making rounds this morning. We have only needed to use oxygen a few times in his hospital stay, which is a good sign. Though he is struggling, his body is still getting the oxygen it needs on its own. This is a virus, and it should go away in time on its own.
We have just 15 days left before our scheduled departure from Maine. So, at this point it is wait-and-see as to our travel plans. We will have to keep Samuel out of public venues for a while so that he can fully recover and build up his immune system. That means that we won't be able to visit with anyone that is the least bit sick (in the middle of cold season) but we will do whatever is needed to protect him. Sara will not be coming to church or prayer meetings until we leave Maine, most likely. This is hard, as we especially love visiting and fellowship times. We will make those decisions and cross those bridges when we get there. It is all in God's very capable hands.
For now, we continue to pray for discernment, for healing, and for the Lord's will in all things. We learned a long time ago that sometimes God closes a door, and then opens a window. Sometimes the Lord closes the door for a time, and we just have to wait for Him to open it again. It all comes down to knowing for sure that God wants us to continue this work He has sent us out to do. We will wait on His leading to see when and where we go from here. For now, no travel plans have changed. We have a few meetings scheduled and ministry opportunities(Lord willing) that I can do without Sara and Samuel. Here are some of our plans.
Tonight, I am scheduled to lead the services at Knox County Jail. This will be my last opportunity to lead the Saturday service, and I have only two more Fridays that I would be able to get to the jail. In the last month, I have only been there twice due to sickness. I really enjoy sharing with the men and women at KCJ, and pray that the Holy Spirit works through the teams that go in so faithfully. Many brothers and sisters are there for the long term, and it has been a privilege to labor with them, even if only for a short time. Thanks to Kevan for prompting me to get involved in this wonderful and very necessary ministry. God is blessing that work, and we are blessed to be a small part.
This week coming, we will be at First Baptist Church of Waldoboro for Wednesday evening Club 56. We were asked to come and tell about our family life and ministry. The audience is 5th and 6th graders, so we plan to have a question and answer session where the kids can answer the who,where, what, why, and how of life traveling the country, meeting new friends, different cultures and churches, and even regional dialects. The kids have a lot to say, and have learned so much about the country, but more about God's provision, in the last 15 months. Their education has been so much more than books could ever teach, and we praise the Lord for giving us these opportunities and experiences.
I was informed last night about a brainstorming session to be held Wednesday. Some folks at FBCW are considering a good old fashioned tent revival at First Baptist Church of Waldoboro this summer. It would be great to see this kind of thing happen in Maine. Often, the "old methods" are thrown out in favor of the newer, cooler outreaches. I am not against the new, but see a great value in the tent meetings.
We see Christians coming together more often during this type of event, and we are brought back to the simple truths of the Gospel that are so vital to remember. We are drawn to think of the lost world around us, our families, neighbors, coworkers, and others that need to hear the good news of salvation from sin and eternal life in Jesus Christ.
We ought to be faithfully witnessing always, and the revival meetings are an extension of the personal testimony. This type of meeting, though, in the public venue, reaches some that we don't see or know personally. I am just bursting with ideas and logistical thoughts of all that needs to be done to make this a time of rejuvenation for Christians and reaching the community with the wonderful words of life in Jesus our Savior. I hope Christians from other area churches lend a hand to unite in the Gospel effort and make known throughout the land the name that is above every name, Jesus Christ our King!!!!!
There are other times of fellowship with friends and family on the schedule for the next 2 weeks, packing and planning to be done, but I am so happy to see people thinking about how to reach the lost for Christ. That is one of the major focuses of our lives, to make the Lord known and to fulfill the commission that we were given in Jesus' last words on earth.
The public revival meeting can never replace the effectual and fervent prayer and witness of His people everywhere we go, but is a GREAT addition to the Gospel arsenal! Paul, Peter, James, Philip, and Jesus Himself all used public venues to proclaim the need for salvation, to preach the justice of God, and share the love and forgiveness that only God can offer that will pay sin's penalty. I pray that the desire for souls to be saved continues to grow in us all and that we act in accordance with that desire. God be praised for His glorious Gospel! Let us continue to be faithful fishers of men (and women and children) until the nets are full!
I will wrap up for now, as my heart races and my mind wanders. I will update when Samuel does come home. Thank you all for the prayers and encouragement, the scriptures shared, and the love of Christ shown to us in these times of trials and hardship. We feel very blessed to have so much family in the Lord. Praise God for His protection and strength day by day. We know that all things work together for good, for those who love God, and are called according to His purpose.
Until the nets are full,
Mark Cowperthwaite
