|
|
Post by Natasha on Nov 2, 2005 22:56:22 GMT
Hello everyone,
I'm writing to you from the beautiful country of New Zealand, which is really everything and more I could have ever asked for - the people are some of the most wonderful I've been privileged to meet...
Yesterday (our first day in NZ) was perfect and today started out just as well until I called my Dad to tell him we had arrived safely. He then had to deliver me some devastating news...
Our dear friends moved to India recently, to serve as missionaries there. They took with them their adorable daughters, Elisabeth (age 6) and Sarah (age 4), whom Crystal and I have known and loved since they were just born.
They don't know how it happened but the girls somehow caught some type of horrible sickness and the doctor has said that the chances are the elder, Elisabeth, will die or her brain will be severely damaged.
I believe Sarah is doing a little bit better but both girls are currently in intensive care...
This has completely shattered the beautiful bliss we've been living over here and Crystal and I are completely devastated.
I would like to beg you all to pray for these darling little girls, to pray that God will work a miracle to save them. Their just two innocent little girls - they don't deserve this!
I can't tell you how much your prayers mean to me so thanks from the bottom of my heart!
Crystal and I have our first concert in NZ today and I can't sing a single note now - I don't know how I'm ever going to make it through a concert so please keep us also in your prayers.
As I promised I'm keeping notes on my trip here but I just can't share them with you right now, so I hope you'll forgive me...
Lots of love and hugs to all of you,
Your Friend,
Natasha
|
|
|
|
Post by roger on Nov 2, 2005 23:28:15 GMT
Dear Natasha,
No words can convey how sorry I am to hear the news of your frinds. Of course my thoughts and prayers are with you - and them.
Love,
Roger
|
|
|
|
Post by fusilier23 on Nov 3, 2005 3:24:03 GMT
Dear Natasha,
I was shocked to read your note, alas, I was buried deep in responding to an order to show cause today. There is never a good time for something like this to happen, but of course it would have to happen at the worst possible time.
The fact is that these Fourth World nations are dangerous places to go, my father was a naval officer who travelled through both Latin America and Southeast Asia and he remembers getting multiple shots for diseases you and I haven't even heard of (sometimes six at a time) before being allowed to go ashore, lest he bring back an unwanted and dangerous souvenir. India is particularly bad for this sort of thing due to the long-standing problems of overpopulation, poor sanitation, and a hot, sticky climate that promotes rotting and growth of bacteria. Children born in the US are simply not going to have the immune systems to deal with this.
I will pray that these girls be spared, but from the little bit you have told us, and to set a level of expectations, I'm not holding out a lot of hope for Elizabeth. No one deserves to perish from a horrible disease on an alien shore, least of all two children who have not been in this world long enough to do anything bad beyond knocking over mom's favorite vase, but, in broader perspective, other than a few criminals and tyrants, does anyone really deserve to die?
William S. Gilbert, in his one "serious" opera he did with Arthur Sullivan, "The Yeomen of the Guard" had a colonel falsely accused of treason contemplate his fate, and this kinda says it all.
"Is life a boon? If so, it must befall,
That Death, whene'er he call, must call too soon.
Though fourscore years he give,
yet one would pray to live
Another moon.
What kind of plaint have I, who perish in July?
I might have had to die, perchance, in June."
Still, even being philosophical, it's things like this that shake the faith. It is hard to accept something like this, but the whole question of suffering is a mystery.
|
|
|
|
Post by daddytom on Nov 3, 2005 4:39:57 GMT
I say hello, Natasha, with a heavy heart after reading your report. It is very hard to understand when these kind of things happen to God's people particularly the little ones.
They, as well as, yourselves will be on top of my prayer list.
I know it is hard to carry on but remember His hand is in everything and there may be some one in NZ that needs your encouragement. Let His strength carry you through.
Your friend -- Tom
|
|
|
|
Post by timj on Nov 3, 2005 4:44:47 GMT
praying.. timj
|
|
Joe
Administrator
Supporting Hayley since 2003!
Posts: 6,715 
|
Post by Joe on Nov 3, 2005 4:57:47 GMT
Dear Natasha,
How sorry I am to hear of the girls' conditions. I shall certainly keep them in my prayers.
But I hope you concert went well despite the bad news. Continue to spread God's Good Word to all the world.
Love,
Joe
|
|
|
|
Post by chrisw on Nov 3, 2005 9:18:07 GMT
Hi Natasha,
I'm very sorry to hear about your friends, and will keep them in my thoughts. Unfortunately, as someone mentioned above, their immune systems probably weren't prepared for the types of diseases they might encounter
Before I went to Iraq, I had so many jabs in one arm, they moved onto the next, and finally my butt - sitting was painful for a few days, but worth it in the end. So many people - and even doctors - just don't realise what precautions you need when going to these places, especially when living rough as most missionaries tend to do. Unfortunately, it's a sad fact of life in some cases..
I hope that you manage to sing while in New Zealand. I love NZ, and I love going back home every chance I get. Sing from your heart, with your friends in mind..
~Chris
|
|
|
|
Post by Richard on Nov 3, 2005 10:01:38 GMT
Hello Natasha.
I'm very sorry to hear the sad news about Elisabeth and Sarah. My thoughts and prayers are with them, and also with you and Crystal.
I hope there will be some better news soon.
Love to all of you,
Richard
|
|
|
|
Post by Natasha on Nov 3, 2005 20:43:32 GMT
Thanks so much for your help guys! I haven't had a new report on the girls conditions yet but I'll let you know as soon as I get one.
Our concert last night went very well despite the fact that I now have a terrible sore throat, so please continue to keep us in your prayers!
Love and Hugs to all of you,
Your Friend,
Natasha
|
|
|
|
Post by Natasha on Nov 6, 2005 4:47:22 GMT
Hello guys! I've finally been able to check my e-mail (for the first time, lol) and I thought I'd drop a note here as well. We called my Dad and he said the latest news is the Sarah is out of intensive care and will recover! :2fun: I'm so excited about that!! Elisabeth is off life support and is now breathing on her own but unfortunately they haven't been able to get any kind of response from her...  They believe her brain will be severely damaged but I think there's at least more hope for her staying alive now. Her father (Jacob) has now got it as well although he's not serious and should recover soon. So lets all keep up the prayers for Elisabeth, she was the most outgoing of the two and reminded me so much of Crystal. We know God works miracles and let's just pray he works one for her... Well, I have to log off. We have a concert pretty soon and we have to go practice and everything. I've actually had to skip two performances now because I've been so badly sick. I still sound a bit "off" but I'm back singing tonight, so please continue to pray! Lots of love and hugs to everyone,  and keep up the prayers! Your Friend,
Natasha |
|
|
|
Post by portia on Nov 6, 2005 7:03:51 GMT
As much as I sympathize and hope the girls get well soon, I'm really curious, exactly WHAT did the two girls get struck down with?
|
|
|
|
Post by Richard on Nov 6, 2005 9:50:09 GMT
Thanks for the update Natasha.
I'm pleased to hear that Sarah is getting better, and I'm praying for a miracle for Elisabeth.
I'm sorry to hear you haven't been well, but I'm glad you're on the road to recovery. Hope the rest of your tour goes well.
Best Wishes from London,
Richard
|
|
|
|
Post by fusilier23 on Nov 6, 2005 10:36:07 GMT
Praise the Lord that Sarah will recover. I can only hope and pray that Elizabeth will also. Whatever this condition is it should never bother them again.
|
|
denis
Junior Member 
Posts: 94
|
Post by denis on Nov 6, 2005 20:28:56 GMT
Hello Natasha and Crystal,
How very sad for your friends and yourselves.
My wife and myself are going to our local hospital chaple on Tuesday.
We willl ight candels and pray for you all..
Denis
|
|
Joe
Administrator
Supporting Hayley since 2003!
Posts: 6,715
|
Post by Joe on Nov 7, 2005 4:12:08 GMT
Hi Natasha,
I was pleased to learn that little Sarah is out of intensive care. I pray that Elisabeth will continue to grow a little stronger each day. Too bad that their father also became ill...hoping he gets well soon. And Tashi, I hope your throat is much better!
Take care,
your friend,
Joe
|
|
