April 29th, 2010
Dear St. George’s Family,
Rhonda and I were graced with a good sleep last night. We curled up together in the tiny hospital bed and fell asleep remembering better days while trusting in the unshakable goodness of our loving Father.
Yesterday was a difficult day. We met with the surgeon who brought less than good news. He laid out the course for the next few weeks:
We are scheduled for a biopsy on Friday. This procedure is performed by ‘burring’ a whole in the top of Rhonda’s head, inserting a blunt needle into her brain and removing samples of the deep tumor.
The samples are then sent to pathology for examination. They are looking to determine whether the tumor is benign or malignant, primary or secondary, and slow or fast growing. All of these factors will shape the treatment from then on. We are not expecting the biopsy results until early next week.
We are grateful for the time between now and the biopsy and the days waiting for the results. This can only be a good thing, with so many of you praying. Rhonda, Matthew and I are praying and believing God for a miraculous recovery – for Rhonda’s comfort, and for His greater glory.
At the same time we are very sad. The surgeon repeatedly told us that this is a very bad case and he is quite concerned. The type of tumor is not as concerning as the location. It is near the centre of Rhonda’s brain thereby preventing simple surgical removal.
Please continue to pray for my wife. Pray for Matthew and pray for me. Rhonda looked across the small hospital bed to me last night and said, “I belong to Jesus. Nothing bad can happen to me; no matter what.” We share this deep trust in our Saviour and repose upon His care.
Your prayers, emails, Facebooks and text messages are dearer to us than words can tell. Thank you for your love and care for my family. We loved seeing those of you who visited yesterday. We have been blessed by visits from local friends and family, emails from across the continent and around the world, prayer phone calls from dear colleagues and partners in the gospel and many offers to take help out with life’s details.
I awoke this morning singing,
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you he has said,
to you that for refuge to Jesus has fled?
“Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed!
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of doubt shall not thee overflow;
for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell shall endeavour to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.”
John Rippon, 1787
Keeping you all in my prayers. Amazing hope in the song you received this morning. God bless.
HI Ray-David,
Just passing on another viewer email comment. Rhonda is stilled very loved by so many viewers of 100HS…and now she’s very prayed for! (I trust you got my other note below your previous post). God bless you guys…Ann and I love you both.
Ron
Dear Christian Friends,
I just heard David Mainse speak the need for prayer for Rhonda…
I prayed in agreement that God raise her up to health and strength to God’s glory,
and shall continue to bring her to the Lord in prayer…
I have been so blessed by her words and the Spirit of Christ in her whenever she was on the program.
My father had successful brain tumour removal at 77yrs. even tho he had had several heart attacks.
It was benign.
May God encourage, strengthen, and comfort her husband(Rae David) and son(Matthew?) as only He can!
God bless your ministry,
Mrs. Esther Lindberg
My wife, Marina, and I will continue to pray for Rhonda and you until we hear the good report we are expecting. God bless all of you.
I am praying with you, for your family. You have a silent army at your side.
I am praying for you Rhonda. I know you are in the best hands. He is our strength and comfort. God bless you all.
Love Diane
Hey Rhonda:
I perceived you to have a no nonsense style when you were on TV. I see you haven’t changed a bit when you said “I belong to Jesus. Nothing bad can happen to me; no matter what.” What Faith you have. You are a rock! Val and I will be praying for you and your wonderful family.
I am praying for your family. Love in Christ.
Hi Rhonda:
We will be praying for you and your family.You are under his loving care and nothing is impossible for god . We are praying for a miracle.
thank you Jesus
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.
Hi Rhonda
You are a strong woman. I know you will learn everything you can about your situation. I also know you are a strong woman of God and you will put your trust in Him.
Our entire family is praying for you, Ray-David and Matthew. May God give you a peace and strength as you put you faith in Jesus.
Give Casey a hug and kiss as well.
Love Dan and Debbie, Daryl, Deanna and Luc
Hi Rhonda,
Cheryl & I wanted you to know that you are the main focus of our prayers. I am honored to be among the many people who love you and trust that HE is in control.
The Maskell family extends it’s love and best wishes for days ahead.
Hi Rhonda, Ray David & Matthew:
Ray David what wonderful words for Jesus to give you in this hour, I am so sorry Rhonda that you have to go through this trial, I am praying & believing along with all the people praying for your total and complete recovery. I always enjoyed your show.
Thank you Jesus for a miracle.
God Bless you
Hello Rhonda, Ray David & Matthew!
We are trusting God for a miracle! HE is still on the throne….”I’m the Lord God who healeth thee” Amen!!
You are in our thoughts and prayers,
Love & prayers,
David & Norma-Jean
Thank you all for holding my wife in your prayers.
We have been mightily blessed and deeply encouraged by your messages.
Dear Rhonda, Ray David and Matt;
You are very much in our prayers. We love you and bless you.
Jesus is the greatt physician,
Love Heather and Claus
Dear Rhonda, Ray David and Matthew,
Just want you to know the Open Gate Church family in Victoria is praying for you.
His merices are new every morning,
Great is your faithfulness, Oh Lord.
Great is your faithfulness.
May you know the renewing power of His great love for you.
In Jesus,
Sharon
Ray-David+, Rhonda & Matthew,
You are in our prayers. Your faith in our Lord, as you lean on Him and not your own understanding, is a great witness to all. May our Lord Bless you,and bring His healing to all of you as you Glorify Him.
Our God IS a God of miracles!
In Him
John & Zandra
Hi there Ray David,
I met you the week after Easter. My wife and I were visiting from Calgary. I have just heard of Rhonda’s situtation. We will be adding her to our prayer chain at St. Augustine’s Calgary and I will keep the three of you in my prayers.
I was so touched by the sermon you gave that Sunday on John 6th. In the midst of this time of trial may you all know that Jesus is the bread of life and you will not hunger.
With love in Jesus,
Jonathan Gibson
Calgary, Alberta
Ray David, Rhonda, and Matthew,
The Donison household is praying for you as well as the St George’s Ottawa family.
May you know the Lord’s peace and healing in all of this. May you have a keen sense of the Lord’s presence.
“Some trust in chariots, some in horses. But our trust is in the name of the Lord” Ps 20:7
With love and prayers,
Paul+
PLease know that I will be intercedeing on your behalf. My wife Karen is in the hospital as I write this note. She had a mass removed 2 days ago and thank the Lord it was not malignant. We are living in North Carolina now but have wonderful memories of 100 Huntley Strret. My Pastor was Rev. Winston Nunes. He was a man of prayer and so am I. Please now that you are covered in His Wings!!!
Blessings, Dave and Karen Boyer
Rhonda, Ray-David, and Matthew,
I’m overseas, but I’ve got the whole crew here in Patmos praying for you… Trusting God for the miracle, we know He can do…
This promise from Isaiah was (is) so precious…
But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you;
I will give men in exchange for you,
and people in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
Isaiah 43:1-5a
God’s Good Grace be with You guys,
Michael
Dear Rhonda, David and Matthew,
From God’s little sanctuary here in Belle River, Ontario we lift you up in our prayers and pray fervently for Rhonda’s complete recovery. May God bless all of you as you have been a blessing to others.
In Jesus’ might name we pray, Amen.
Phillip Rutledge
St. Aidan’s at Rivers Bend
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” – Heb. 6:19
Dear Rhonda:
I pray that God will give you strength, peace and courage to face this journey. I pray in the precious name of Jesus for complete recovery and healing for you.
You blessed so many lives through your ministry when you were on 100 Huntley Street, and now I pray that all of us who were on the receiving end of your ministry will now hold you up in our prayers daily for a miracle in your body.
You are loved.
June Peckford Bradley
Dear Rhonda,
May your life continue to be a source of love and life without ceasing.
May the light of God burn out (curse) the root of this cancer that it may wither and die.
If you are open to alternative cancer treatment then there are 9 testimonies of holding brain cancer in check at:
http://www.polymvasurvivors.com/testimonial_braincancer.html. PolyMVA is the name of this treatment and several Ontario practitioners are familiar with it. I have seen it do good things for two woman and heard of others.
Blessings and peace,
George <
Dear Rhonda, Ray-David and Matthew,
When one member of the body suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
You are upheld in prayer by all the people at Good Shepherd (Vancouver). And we are praying Psalm 23 for you and with you all the way.
Together in Christ,
+Stephen & Nona