Dad at Rehab

I'm very excited to post the newest news about my dad. He has awakened from his coma, but still has a significant amount of brain damage. Our computer has been "in the shop" for over a month, so we've had very little chance to post any updates. This last Friday my friend Janelle and I went to visit mom and dad in Philadelphia at Moss Rehab (a brain rehab) where dad has been for the last 2 weeks. My mom has been living there with him in a special suite for family members. We praise the Lord that she is so close to him and just has to walk down the hall to see him. They spend all day every day together as she accompanies him to all of his rehabs. He has 5 each day (M-F), 2 on Saturday and 1 on Sunday. They include occupational (life skills), physical (walking) and speech therapy (talking and eating). Thank you so much for praying for us. The recovery road is VERY slow, and we're trusting the Lord for whatever amount of recovery He chooses for dad. Please pray especially that he can learn to walk, talk and eat. These are the three major things that would make it much easier to bring him to live at home and not to go to a nursing home. I wanted to share some pictures so you could see how well he's doing.

Dad continues to progress!

Friends,
Finally, a much overdue update on Becky's Dad. Our last update asked prayer for Dad as his heart rate was erratic, and he needed a surgery to replace his pacemaker. The surgery went very well, and soon after he was alert and responding to us again. This was a great relief! Thank you so much for your prayers concerning this! The latest development and answer to prayer is that the family has decided on a brain injury rehab facility, and Dad has been accepted there. It is called Moss Rehab, and it is close to Philadelphia in Elkins Park. Moss is a well-known, successful facility, so we are thankful and excited about Dad being moved there. He is still in Camp Hill near us, but will move on Monday, 4/16. Also, God has provided a suite for Mom to rent right there at the hospital for a low nightly rate. Though it has not been easy lately, we praise the Lord for His continual assurance that He is there and working consistently on our behalf and, more importantly, for His glory.
So please continue to pray for Dad and Mom. Pray for Dad to respond well to the different therapies. He has a long way to go in almost every physical function you can imagine. Pray for us as a family to trust God for the outcome, whatever it may be. Dad will be in rehab at least for the next 4 to 6 weeks, so also pray for patience and perseverance for Becky's Mom. It has been a long haul. And please pray that we will all not forget to be a testimony for God's glory as we go through this time. We have encountered many that do not know Christ, and it is our desire to minister to them, as God allows.
Finally, this verse encouraged me recently. As Moses first confronted Pharoah and found his response to be that of oppressing Israel even more, Moses was confused and questioned God. In God's response to Moses He said, "But I will harden Pharaoh's heart that I may multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt." We don't understand God's ways all the time, but most assuredly He has a glorious purpose. His glory will be seen!

Thank you again for your support!
Travis

A Crucial Prayer Request

We have been so uplifted by your prayers for us during this time with my dad. He has had a fairly good week as far as his responses toward us. The Lord is answering our prayers concerning a couple of specific areas we have asked you to pray about.
1. Dad is no longer on dialysis. His kidneys are functioning at 24% and his creatnine level has dropped significantly. Praise the Lord! We are so thankful that He has met Dad's needs in the area of his kidneys.
2. He has been responding to the medical staff. This was a huge matter of prayer for us to help determine where Dad will be placed next. This is still not completely a settled matter, but his responses have definitely increased by the power of God! =)
We are depending highly on your prayers on our behalf, and so we bring you another crucial prayer request. Over the last week or so, Dad's heart rate has been very erratic, due to a malfunctioning of his pacemaker. It has not been functioning well at all and is having a very difficult time picking up the needed electrial signals that keep the heart beating well. The cardiologists are very concerned and say that this is a crucial thing for Dad's heart. It cannot be left alone, and the problem will not resolve itself. Our only option also puts him in a very crucial position. Dad needs a new pacemaker, but going into surgery is very dangerous because of the recent coma he is just starting to come out of. We need prayer for wisdom as we choose the doctor that will perform the surgery. We also ask you to pray for his safety through the surgery. His heart is very unstable at this time, and he could very easily have another cardiac arrest. Thank you so much for your prayers for my dad and our family. The Lord has been so good to us and we are trusting Him.