The Results
As we sat in the waiting room outside the MRI doors, we chatted with another woman. She was waiting for her son, who was having his first MRI. My brain wondered, how many MRIs had Esperanza had in the last 11 years? Moving into the MRI room, I slipped into my seat next to Esperanza, holding her leg. The blaring MRI machine started to do its thing, and I began to count. One. Two. Three. Ten. Twenty. I soon realized Esperanza had had about 50 MRIs. Can you imagine that? 50 times going under that massive, ear-piercing machine.
Tears flooded my sight, remembering how often I either sat in the waiting room or sat next to Esperanza listening to the snarl of the MRI machine while her hand gripped mine in fear. Or worse. No parent should have to lock their arms around a child, holding them down while she screams. Forced to feel the plunge of a six-inch needle, injected for sedation because this little princess of ours was terrified of a machine meant to help her.
Is it even humane to make a parent watch their child have a drill crunch through the bone of their skull to relieve pressure and search for a solution to an uninvited tumor, even one time in your life, let alone four times? So many intense memories.
Well, the journey to no MRIs has not yet come upon us. On Tuesday, the results came back, and the tumor in Esperanza’s head is stable; however, to our disappointment, it has not yet shrunk. The Oncologist, however, seemed very optimistic that her next MRI in 3-months would show us that it was shrinking. And to be honest, we have all had so much peace because we have prayed for the last 11-years that this tumor would shrivel up and die. And that is precisely what Proton Therapy does. So we live in a place of peace in the waiting.
During this visit with the oncologist, Esperanza, Bruce (who was on the phone from Peru), and I were also given the thumbs-up to travel. This came with excitement as we’ve been praying as a family about what our family’s 2026 plans will look like (Bruce, as I write this, is currently in Peru until March 4th, helping a ministry called Reimagine).
As our family has been praying, multiple opportunities have come to light. However, one opportunity that has been finalized now that we’ve been given clearance to travel is that we ALL will be heading to Peru from July 19th to August 17th to help Reimagine (click here). This trip will be two-fold. The kids and I will assist the incredible Reimagine team in welcoming new groups, we will help with kids’ programs, do whatever needs to be done with the orphanage that opens up next week, and whatever else is needed (would you like to join us?). Bruce, on the other hand, will capture video B-roll footage of the teams serving for the different testimonials he is currently capturing while he’s in Peru. We are all very excited about this opportunity and a couple of other ones that have not yet been finalized.
Will you continue to join us in prayer for Esperanza? We want this tumor gone in Jesus name!! Over the last 11-years we have lived completely by faith and time and time again, Esperanza has received the care she has needed. No matter where the Lord has led us. However, we have found that almost every time we have gone on outreach, we’ve gotten some kind of major health scare right before we have gone on an outreach! Therefore, your prayers that her May MRI will come back with a raving report will be most welcome! And that the rest of our family will stay healthy and safe.
We would also love for prayer over my husband while he’s in Peru and for our upcoming trips. This last year, we lost a few of our major partners, so we began to ask the Lord whether we should start working a “normal” job. And yet through multiple confirmations, we have heard the Lord clearly tell us to continue to give away our talents and trust Him for the income. Yes, there are times that we feel completely stretched and have no clue how we will pay our monthly expenses, and yet He has always come through, and we have not only never gone without, but we are not in debt besides our mortgage. He is faithful, and we know we can trust Him completely!
Thank you for joining us in your prayers!!
Praise Reports
The tumor in Esperanza’s head is stable. And her fatigue has started to subside.
Bruce has captured so many testimonials in Peru.
Kara and the kids have been doing really well while Bruce has been in Peru. They’ve also had opportunities to serve at the local Ronald McDonald House as well as prepare with other children for a local outreach event in March.
Prayer Requests
Healing over Esperanza.
Healing for Bruce’s hip and foot.
Favor over Bruce and his equipment while he captures testimonials in Peru.
Monthly partners (Click Here).
Our house will be full of Airbnb guests while we are gone.
A vehicle.
