The Rogers' Family Neighborhood

“God loves us, and we have the opportunity to love others as He loves us, not in the big things but in the small things with great love.”  Mother Teresa

Every Sunday morning for the last six months, I have walked a path around the medical facility before I get my lab work done and where I have infusions on Tuesdays. As I began my walk this morning, I noticed that my eyes started to well up with tears, and I did not hold them back; I let them fall. I am grateful for a faithful God who meets me right where I am. Today, after a sleepless night, which seems to be more of a struggle lately, I began giving thanks . . .

Abba, I thank you . . .

* that in my weakness, You are strong.

* for unspeakable joy regardless of my circumstances.

* for giving me eyes to see beyond what is, and the faith to hope for what is to come.

* for deep peace that reassures my heart, transcends my understanding, and guards my heart and mind in Jesus.

* for timely encouragement, prayers, and visits from friends and family near and far.

* for your daily provision.

* for healing that you have done and continue to do in my body as every cancer cell is eliminated. 

* in advance by faith for a clear pathology report from surgery and recovery with no complications. 

* for your promise that you will never leave or forsake me and that your presence will be WITH me every moment of every day as we walk this path together . . . 

 Praise will continue to be on my lips as I celebrate God’s goodness and faithfulness in my life as I prepare to cross the finish line of this leg of the treatment journey on Tuesday (Aug. 27) and then prepare for the surgery that is ahead.

I received this song this week in a message—it arrived at just the right time to give me the encouragement my heart needed. We look to a new week with our eyes fixed on Jesus claiming HIS victory over every area of our lives!

SONG: Seed Of Faith by Charity Gayle

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee . . .who passing through the valley of weeping, make it a place of flowing springs.” (Psalm 84:5,6)

Our hearts are still rejoicing and celebrating the clear PET scan results that came back and the evidence that the cancer has responded to the chemotherapy treatments. This past week, I was not able to receive the scheduled weekly treatment because my Bilirubin count was off and the oncologist wanted to give my body an extra week to recover. We are praying that my labs this weekend will be okay and that I will be able to resume treatment on Tuesday. There are just three weeks of treatment left! I had an appointment with my surgeon last week, and she reviewed the PET scans and showed us the comparisons between the one taken in March & the one just taken in late July. It truly is incredible to see! We had time at this appointment to get a clear picture of the next steps, which are becoming more of a reality. I will be scheduled for surgery which will most likely be mid to late September. Thank you for your faithful prayers and standing with us through this journey. To God be the glory, great things He has done AND is doing!

Prayer Requests

• Please pray for no more delays in treatment – strength, and health to complete the final three weeks of treatment. (8/13, 8/20, 8/27)
• Pray for God’s timing and the orchestrating of all the details around the surgery date.
• Join us in praying for continued strength and recovery from chemo and protection from any additional sickness as I prepare for the surgery ahead. 

Since January, I have been reading through an original copy of Streams in the Desert daily as part of my early morning rhythm with Jesus. Deep work is happening in my heart as I walk this unknown path with Jesus. Today’s reading (Aug. 9) resonated deeply with my heart, and I want to share it with you. 

“Comfort does not come to the light-hearted and merry. We must go down into the “depths” if we would experience this most precious of God’s gifts – comfort, and thus be prepared to be co-workers together with Him.

When night – needful night – gathers over the garden of our souls, when the leaves close up, and the flowers no longer hold any sunlight within their folded petals, there shall never be wanting, even in the thickest darkness, drops of heavenly dew – dew which falls only when the sun has gone.

“I have been through the valley of weeping,

The valley of sorrow and pain;

But the “God of all comfort was with me,

At hand to uphold and sustain.

As the earth needs the clouds and sunshine,

Our souls need both sorrow and joy;

So He places us oft in the furnace,

The dross from the gold to destroy.

When he leads through some valley of trouble,

His omnipotent hand we trace;

For the trials and sorrows He sends us,

Are part of His lessons in grace.

Oft we run from the purging and pruning,

Forgetting the Gardner knows

That the deeper the cutting and trimming,

The richer the cluster that grows.

Well He knows that affliction is needed;

He has a wise purpose in view,

And in the dark valley, He whispers,

“Soon, You’ll understand what I do.”

As we travel through life’s shadowed valley

Fresh springs of His love ever rise;

And we learn that our sorrows and losses,

Are blessings just sent in disguise.

So we’ll follow wherever He leads us,

Let the path be dreary or bright;

For we’ve proved that our God can give comfort;

Our God can give songs in the night.”

Author unknown

“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” – C.S. Lewis

Some of Kenya’s most bumpy and windy roads have taken us to the most breathtaking views of the valley. These are best seen from a “Turnout” or “Viewpoint” where you park temporarily, stretch your legs, and take in the scenery. Life has moments like that. We experienced an important “Viewpoint” on this uphill health journey this week. I had a chance to stop and look back at where I came from and then take a longer look at the beautiful view. This came because of a phone call I received from my surgeon with some good news that we have been praying for! 

She received my PET scan results and told me that as she looked over the scan, she could not help but smile and had to call. My scan is clear, and the cancer that was present back in March has “resolved” and responded to the chemotherapy treatments! Our hearts are celebrating this great news, and we are taking time at this “turnout” to take in the view of answered prayer and God’s healing work in my body. The journey continues tomorrow with the 9th of 12 weekly infusions and a likely surgery in September, but the news we received this week gives me even more resolve to continue to walk with my Good Shepherd toward the beauty of all He may have in store.

Words cannot express how grateful we are for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and love for us as we walk this unknown path with Jesus. 

Thank you!

“All my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God!”

Bethel Music and Jenn Johnson

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way.”  Psalm 46:1,2

Sunday mornings have become a favorite time of the week for me. I look forward to an early morning walk before visiting the hospital lab for weekly blood work. I stopped several times this morning to take in the breathtaking beauty of the rising sun. I could not help but smile as I received the gift of a painted sky, knowing how well my loving Creator knows me!

The words from the beautiful hymn, In The Garden seem to describe my walk this morning; “He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own – and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.” The greatest gift today is the gift of HIS presence with me and the peace that fills my heart as I put my hope in Him. 

We are so grateful for your prayers and concern. Prayer is powerful, and we see God’s miracles daily. I had a PET scan last Friday and should hear the results by August 1st. We will then know more about how the cancer has responded to the treatments. I am grateful for the peace I have in the waiting. There are days that I have moments of feeling the weight of the unknown, but when those clouds come, I look for His fingerprints and am reminded how God is at work. I continue to trust Him with each day . . . one day at a time.

Prayer Requests:

• Pray for wisdom and clarity for the medical team as they look at the PET scan results and recommend the next steps for treatment. Surgery is a likely possibility.
• Pray for discernment and wisdom to know if and when a second opinion is needed.
• Pray for renewed strength and energy as I navigate fatigue each day.

” When we walk faithfully before God, we walk secure in the knowledge that He is with us. We know that the reality of His presence doesn’t depend on place or time or how we are feeling; no matter what, He is here. It’s when we refuse to believe this that our problems begin; we stop walking and go rushing about, trying to find him. Once we are founded on the reality of His presence, we will know the experience the Psalmist describes: “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way” (Psalm 46:2).

Oswald Chambers – My Utmost for His Highest

“The Lord is my strength and my (impenetrable) shield; my heart trusts (with unwavering confidence) in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song, I shall thank Him and praise Him.” (Psalm 28:7 AMP)

I am leaving soon for my chair and treatment number 5 of this 12-week cycle, and yes, I am counting down the days! Thank you for your continued and faithful prayers. I know that I am being carried right now.

This past week, I’ve had a few hard days and a few difficult nights sleeping. I know that I am in a battle, both physical and spiritual. Fatigue has been the hardest to navigate. Even as I struggle to adjust to new daily rhythms and limitations, I feel increasingly aware of the importance and power of the ministry of presence. I think deeply about this present moment and the new things I am experiencing. As I walk in the early morning and evening to keep my health as strong as possible, I meet new neighbors around my home or discover new pathways like I did this week at the infusion facility (Photo). The medical staff at Kaiser in the lab & oncology building are becoming familiar friends as I see them weekly. Yet, not being able to attend ELI staff meetings and join Don when we update churches and missions committees on the wonderful things God is doing through the ministry has been hard. Yet, I still have a unique joy and peace on this path, which is hard to describe – even in the midst of the unknown and the loss of what was.

As I walk this sacred journey with Jesus, His Word remains a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path! Psalm 28:7 has been my declaration this week. “You, Lord, are my strength and impenetrable shield; my heart trusts with unwavering confidence in YOU, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song, I will THANK YOU and PRAISE YOU!”

This quote about being truly present is a favorite of mine from Henri Nouwen’s journal during his six-month stay on the mission field in Bolivia and Peru:

“More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be a part of some impressive project is so strong that soon, my time is taken up in meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.” (Gracias: A Latin American Journal, 1983 by Henri Nouwen)

We are so grateful for your prayers and God’s caring presence every day and especially today during these hours during the infusion. This past week has been a better one in terms of energy and good sleep.
Thank you again for all of your thoughts and care!

Here Again 

Lyrics:

“Can’t go back to the beginning – Can’t control what tomorrow will bring – But I know here in the middle – Is a place where You promise to be. I’m not enough unless You come – Will you meet me here again? ‘Cause all I want is all You are – Will you meet me here again?
As I walk now through the valley – Let Your love rise above every fear – Like the sun shaping the shadow – In my weakness, Your glory appears.
Not for a minute was I forsaken – The Lord is in this place – Come Holy Spirit, dry bones awaken – The Lord is in this place. I’m not enough unless You come – Will you meet me here again? – Cause all I want is all You are – Will You meet me here again?”

by Elevation Worship

It makes me smile to think that after almost 30 years of life and ministry together and walking many paths in Africa, Jesus would have Don and me on this new and unexpected path together. Don is the greatest gift and reflects the Father’s love for me daily through his faithful love and care. 

Prayer Requests:

• There are nine more treatments in this cycle—every Tuesday is infusion day. Continue to pray for no allergic reactions and for the chemo to be effective with no side effects. (We are seeing answers to this prayer!)
• Early July PET scan – praying and believing for a full and complete response to the chemo and a clear scan. I LOVE being “UNREMARKABLE” when it comes to hearing scan results! 
• Wisdom and Guidance surrounding all things surgery. Please pray that Don and I will have peace as the medical team discusses the next steps. A full mastectomy with left axillary and supraclavicular lymph node dissection has been discussed. 
• We are praying for God to open a window of time for Don to be in Kenya after I finish Chemo and before surgery.

My heart is filled with gratitude for your faithful prayers, words of encouragement, and love for our family as we walk this journey together.

Because He Lives,

Amy

“You are my hiding place; You, LORD, protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7 (AMP)

This Psalm has been on my heart the last few days, from early morning until I sleep at night, I am experiencing that sweet hiding place with my Good Shepherd. In my weakness, I am strong in His strength …and this song has been the declaration of my heart this week –

“You are my hiding place

You always fill my heart with

Songs of deliverance

Whenever I am afraid

I will trust in You

I will trust in You

Let the weak say I am strong

In the Strength of the Lord

I will trust in you.”

I went with Don to the infusion center today, fully expecting to receive my second dose of this new cycle of chemo today. However – there came an unexpected delay. I have been enjoying long walks almost every day to help keep my body and mind as strong as possible. I did not know that the blister on my toe, which has a small infection, would become a speed bump on this treatment road. The oncologist happened to be nearby today and came in to take a look at my foot. Chemo and infection of any kind evidently do not mix, and with my white blood cell count being a bit on the low side – the decision was made to take extra care and put me on five days of antibiotics – postponing the infusion till next week. I will check in with the doctor again on Friday with an update on how my toe is. I am praying and believing that my foot will heal this week – and I will be ready to receive that second weekly infusion next Tuesday (2nd of 12). Praying and believing for no more delays!

Thank you for your faithful prayers, love, and encouragement and for standing with us on this journey. There are some hard times, but as I rise each day, I choose to stand in awe of God’s goodness and embrace the truth that He knows my deepest needs, thoughts, cares, and fears. He knows what refreshes my soul and sees that I have what I need daily. I feel hemmed in by His presence and am so grateful for the beautiful ways His love is poured out through you as you pray and stand with me and our family.

Today, my heart sings a song of deliverance as I continue to TRUST in the ONE who holds my life in His hands.

Amy

“Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is dark.” – Rabindranath Tagore

Thank you, friends, for your faithful prayers. I (Amy) have been enjoying walks daily and am so grateful for the strength the I have right now. Since the last treatment, I have not needed any of the anti-nausea meds and have felt pretty strong overall. I don’t have much appetite, but continue to be strategic in what I eat, ensuring I get the nutrition I need.

Tomorrow (5/28) at 8 am, I begin what feels like a marathon of a new chemo that I will be receiving every week for the next 12 weeks. Please pray for no allergic reaction and that my body will tolerate this new round. With this particular chemotherapy, neuropathy has been known to be a side effect for some. I am doing what I can to help prevent this, but treasure your prayers that I will not have any issues with that.

When our two boys, Joshua and Nathaniel, were younger, we had many long car rides on the roads of Kenya. Traveling by car from Eldoret, where we live, to Nairobi (the capital and main airport) would usually take the entire day as we counted the endless number of potholes we tried to avoid. “Are we almost there?” seemed to be an echo from the back seat. “How much longer do we have?” During my recent appointment with the oncologist this week, I felt compelled to ask her the same question – “How much longer do we have to go – are we almost there?”

This upcoming Tuesday (5/14) will be the last infusion of this current chemo prescription and treatment cycle. Two weeks later, on 5/28, I will begin receiving a different chemo drug (every Tuesday) for 12 consecutive weeks. My specific prayer requests are for no adverse reactions, delays, or side effects to the new drug and for continued protection over my body and effectiveness of the treatments.

There are days that the journey seems extra long, and the unknowns ahead can be overwhelming. I am reminded once again that this path is a one-day-at-a-time journey that stirs in me an unwavering trust in my Good Shepherd, who is leading the way with His loving care. I love David’s words in Psalm 23:1, where he declares, “The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.” After this last treatment, it has taken me a bit longer to recover, and I have experienced a few more of the side effects. When I pause to reflect at the end of each day, however long they may have felt, I see the fingerprints of God, my Good Shepherd. His presence with me reminds me daily of the beautiful ways He knows exactly what I need and what refreshes my soul even better than I do.

We still have a ways to go on this journey, but I am so grateful we have a GOOD Shepherd who knows the way ahead and can provide all we need—one day at a time.

In His arms,

Amy