Dear
Friends in Christ, |
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The
Lord has been so good to us this new year.
A few days after returning from Houston with
Shelby from her last round (the third round)
of chemo, her energy level and blood count
were as the doctors said, "dangerously
low". The doctors here in San Antonio
suggested doing a blood transfusion, and
after getting the go ahead from the doctors
in Houston, Shelby was given 2 units of blood.
At first we were hesitant and nervous about
doing this, but after seeing her immediate
energy boost we were encouraged. Shelby has
been able to keep her energy up since then.
We were also able to hold a blood drive,
which will be credited to her next blood
transfusion. Thank you to the 22 people who
donated blood! |
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During
her time back at home dear friends of our
family, Richard and Kelly Welch gave Shelby
a puppy. The puppy is half lab and half hound.
Bosco, as Shelby named her pup, has been
the joy of each day for her. Shelby has also
excitedly claimed she beat Holly, and had
the first grandbaby! During this time we
also were excited to receive a visit from
Kenneth’s brother, Jim and his wife
Bonnie, from Ocala, FL. Shelby is very close
to her Uncle Jimmy and spent quite a bit
of time with him when we lived in Florida
helping with caterings. Jim teaches culinary
arts and he and Bonnie have been in the restaurant
business over the years. Shelby enjoyed their
time together. Jim & Bonnie had never
been out to Texas to visit but we finally
managed to get them here. |
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Shelby
is once again in Houston going through her
fourth round of chemo. The newest x-rays
show that the bone does appear to be growing
back and the tumor is shrinking very slowly.
We were able to see the x-rays from November,
and comparing them to these recent ones we
could see the bone growth, praise the Lord.
We were told from the beginning that the
leiomyosarcoma patients do not respond well
to chemo, so a slow response is to be expected.
Our prayer request for Shelby now is that
she will be able to keep her weight up. Even
the thought of food nauseates her at times,
so this is a huge struggle for her. We are
also praying that the mouth sores caused
by the chemo would be at a minimal as well
as the general aches, pains and nausea. |
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We
need to update everyone on our financial
condition pertaining to Shelby’s medical
bills. To be quite honest its been unbelievable.
We have been able to pay all bills on time
and in full! Vision Forum Ministries has
been a blessing beyond explanation to our
family! Our local churches, our Florida church,
and vast numbers of people, some of whom
we don’t even know, have rallied to
help our family during this time. Many have
prayed about our Florida home selling and
that seems to be a real possibility soon. |
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In
the mean time we have continued investigating
our options through MD Anderson and some
incredible headway has been made there. Through
tireless investigation Debbi met someone
in the pharmaceutical department of MD Anderson
that is aware of grants and money available
through donations to the hospital by pharmaceutical
companies and private parties. These monies
are not government funds in any way and are
being made available to us. We are very cautious
about this and only time will tell but Shelby’s
last chemo treatment (her fourth) has been
taken care of through this program. I say
this so carefully because we have been confused
or have misunderstood quite a bit of the
process in the hospital world. |
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We
feel compelled to tell everyone this because
we know some of you have given sacrificially.
At this date we are cautious, but feel Shelby’s
medical bills are taken care of for the time
being. Of course this could change but we
feel it is proper to let everyone know of
these latest events. ALSO, what an incredible
praise report of the provision of our Loving
Heavenly Father! |
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To
help us be above reproach it should be known
that the monies received for Shelby have
all gone into a special medical fund account.
The Treasurer of Only a Servant Ministries,
Inc. (not a Kennedy family member) monitors
the account for checks and balances sake. |
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We
are so amazed at the Lord’s goodness
and provision for us. Thank you all for your
continuous prayers, e-mails, and expressions
of love in Shelby’s behalf. We wait
with you for a miracle, because we know as
you do that our God is an awesome God!! |
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Absolutely
only because of Christ, |
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Ken,
Debbi and family |
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A "Sweet" Field
Report |
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The
first month of 2005 has kept us on the move.
To usher in the New Year, my sister and her
husband, Sheryl and David Park, came down
to spend a few days. We enjoyed visiting
and giving them their first tour of Nava. |
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We
then packed up and made a trip to San Diego,
California, to see our older children. It
had been some time since the whole family
had been together. We did some sightseeing,
cheering at basketball games and playing
with our grandbaby, Haley. |
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Returning
to San Antonio, Texas, we attended a missionary
convention at Destiny Church. It was once again
inspiring to fellowship with missionaries from
around the world and to lift our vision a bit
higher. A big thanks goes to Pastor David Bell,
the Destiny Church staff, and the many workers
who so graciously hosted the occasion. |
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Our friends
her in Nava met us with warm greetings. Immediately
we proceeded to lay the floor to a one-room
shelter for a needy family. Joel Wean, from
San Antonio, came down to help in the construction.
If this sounds like something you and your
family might be interested in doing, please
contact us to schedule your missionary trip
to Nava. |
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May God bless
all of you who so faithfully participate in
this work through your prayers and financial
support. Please pray that the meeting of practical
needs will generate a great hunger for the
things of God. |
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The Sweet
family |
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