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“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
 “And we know in all things God works for good for those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

 Shalom, Shalom! We are so extremely blessed to finally be writing this update and exalting the greatness and goodness of our amazing Heavenly Papa! It has been one week since doctors confirmed enough healing to release Gloria Grace from the hospital. Both Gloria and I (Teisa) continue to struggle with the whooping cough, but we know this sickness is defeated, so join us in proclaiming perfect healing! Dear Gloria sometimes vomits due to the coughing fits, but at least she breathes the whole time J Regardless, she is gaining weight and strength. What a treasure of God’s glory…we can’t wait to see what He has in store for our Glory girl.

In the past week, we have been rejoicing and reflecting heaps. We are left astonished by the love of God! Not surprised…not at all… Just more overwhelmed by the greater revelation of His limitless, lavish love. Equally, we are astonished by the love from His bride! We felt the global family carry this burden…loving and praying for Gloria Grace…we never felt alone for one minute. Each day, we drank in the words of life on FB/emails, often reading the words and scriptures over GG. In our weak moments, the Body of Christ lifted our arms in the battle till His victory was/is manifest. We could never thank Him and you enough…

 Another area of His miraculous glory is in His provision…and another area we are astonished by the Body of Christ. Anyone who knows us knows we never ask for ourselves (we will ask all day long for MCV, Iris, other missionaries, etc); so it was very humbling for us to communicate the financial need (no medical insurance) and prayerfully insert that one line “we need your help” in our last email. We are so incredibly blessed to say the medical bills are almost all covered. Over $20,000 has been sent in or on its way…generous, sacrificial gifts from dear people around the world…and along with our savings, all the bills should be paid. How magnificent is that…a missionary saying, “You can stop sending money!” Yeah God!!!

 Thank you again for ‘stopping for the one.’ As missionaries set apart to defend orphans and widows, we cannot help chuckle on how the one is our own biological pale African. We hope to send another newsletter out soon about the countless other amazing things He is doing here in SA- the newest ‘princess’ of MCV (not GG!), the newest church plant in Nelspruit (you will never guess where), the newest missionaries joining the SA team (very exciting) etc.

 During this challenging, but glorious time, we have been living in Romans chapter 8. Many verses spoke to us in new ways, so we leave you with another favorite-
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:35,37. Did you know the name “Nicole” means overcomer/conqueror/victorious one? It does. And the newest addition to the Nicole tribe might only be 6 weeks old, but Gloria Grace is leading us in some major Kingdom insight right now, aye!

 PS. Just to be accountable, any additional support that comes in Gloria’s name- we will use it to get some affordable health insurance here in SA and/or sow it into MCV

After a great night, our doctor finally gave Gloria the ok to come home! Of course I cried (Teisa), but many of our nurses cried too. They feel in love with our Glory girl during this past two weeks, so it was quite emotional as she left her Isolation room in ICU/High Care. Johanna was over the moon to finally see her baby sister and give her a much anticipated kissy:)

We are soooo grateful and appreciative for the overwhelming love! Your words of life and incredible prayer support has lifted our arms during this battle! We promise to post another update soon…but now we are all going to take a family nap!

Day 14 9:30pm just arrived home from hospital.Very, very, tired and discouraged. Please continue to pray with us that Gloria will be completely healed, and that they will release her Sunday!

Day 13 High Care- We had the most amazing day with Gloria- her x-ray was spotless, blood counts great, breast-feeding went wonderful; we just sent out our victory email to those who have emailed us recently…And then she stopped breathing (very briefly) AHHHHHHHH! So she will still be under observation for another day/or two (longer if it happens again). Come on Jesus- manifest your healing power for our Glory girl!

Day 12- ICU/High Care

They took Gloria off the ventilator at 7AM. She had to be in an oxygen tent for a few hours, but she was breathing so well, the tent was not needed! Her mornings x-ray also showed her lungs were completely clear! Her blood work also was amazing. They finished the antibiotics yesterday, so she is no longer on any medicine! Our doctor is going to allow me to breast-feed her tomorrow and if she can feed well and maintain her vitals during any coughing fits, she may be able to go home this weekend!!!! Glory to God- our Glory girl is healed! Lets pray together for continued clear lungs (she needs 1-2 more clear x-rays), no problems while feeding, and strong vitals to prove to the doctors what we know in Christ!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has lifted our sweet one before the Father! We are so in awe of our global family for the amazing love poured out! And to everyone who has sent us support to help us with the medical bills- we are so grateful and blessed! In just one week, over a third of what we need to pay the medical bills has come in…We are greatly encouraged and really excited to see how He continues to provide! What a glorious Daddy!!!

Day 11 ICU I (Jean) just talked to the doc early this morning. He is very pleased with how she is doing and hopes to take her off oxygen (ventilator) Thursday AM and downgrade her status to High Care. However x-rays are showing that the right lung still needs to improve. She is now completely off sedation and the ventilator is on auto-pilot. Please continue to pray with us for a supernatural speedy recovery and total healing of her body!

Day 11 in ICU (part 2- Teisa)- We just got home from our evening visit and time of prayer with local pastors/friends/missionaries…His presence was amazing as we joined faith together for Gloria’s complete healing! We took communion together rejoicing in the manifest glory being poured out on us/Gloria thru the body and blood of Jesus. Pastor Surprise and Jean then went into Gloria’s ICU room to anoint her with oil and release more of the kingdom of heaven on earth. We are believing tomorrow will be her last day in ICU- pray with us!!!

Day 10 ICU- Another good day! They have had to increase the oxygen at times, but they have continued to decrease the pressure of the ventilator to prepare her for being off it soon…maybe tomorrow or Thursday! She was awake a lot today- it is so wonderful to see her precious blue eyes again. Her blood work looked great today, so pray with us that her red/white blood cell counts remain where they need to be! She also had more tests to see if the pneumonia is gone…

If you are local- please join us for a special prayer gathering at her Neo-Natal ICU at Medi-clinic at 7PM. Pastor Surprise is home from traveling, so we are excited to gather the local elders to pray over Gloria. Join us if you can!

We also covet your prayers for the divine provision for all the medical bills…whoooeeee…. they are adding up. We do not have medical insurance:( But we know God is faithful! Our ministry covering in America has set up a special account to help at this time….they hope to do a wire transfer of any support which comes in by Friday. Please feel free to email us for any additional information on this! teisamarie@yahoo.com

Today we heard the word my heart longed for “STABLE!” Yippee!!!! We are still contending for ‘completely healed,’ but we are quite happy to finally make this coveted milestone. Gloria is now on only 30% oxygen…Other miracles include her lungs getting better numbers each time they do this special test…they hope to take her off the ventilator on Wed or Thursday! Tonight/tomorrow they will be weening her off the sedation to she how she copes with things…so please pray for Jean and I too. It is very hard to see her awake struggling against the machines…

Thank you soooo much for everyone standing with us in prayer, love , and support. We have never felt so loved and shielded…please continue to lift up our sweet angel….she must be the most prayed for little gal in all of Nelspruit right now!

Day 8 in ICU- Urgent Prayer needed! The nurses just told us Gloria is also struggling with pneumonia which is resistant to the antibiotics which doctors have tried….We need to join our faith in declaring wholeness and healing over Gloria now because this attack is absolutely not resistant to Jesus! He is victorious over this sickness! Lets specifically pray for her left lung where this morning’s x-ray showed several mucus plugs…

Gloria is more awake and opening her eyes….Although this is a good thing, it is not easy to watch her struggle with all the machines….Honestly, it was easier when she was sleeping and at peace.

Leaving for the hospital now to hopefully talk to the weekend doctor (our doctor is off this weekend). Believing Dr. Jesus for a good report!!!