CHOOTIEPATAL

This is our friend Chootiepatal. For those of you who haven't read our monthly update letter; one of the newest things going on in our lives is a very hard situation that has come before us. We ask that you stand with us in bringing this before Papa. About a week ago, our friend and also Johnson's cousin, was riding a motorcycle at night a few miles away and ran into a water buffalo at full speed. The water buffalo stabbed him with his horns right into Chootipatal's arm. He was rushed by ambulance to the closest hospital which is about 2 hours away. We went out to visit Chootie twice. The first time, Cody had a talk with the doctor and they were unsure they would be able to save his arm. He basically has a large hole in his arm with ligaments, muscles and tissue all damaged. Cody explained to the doctor how in America, he would've been rushed into surgery upon arrival and been able to repair the muscles and nerves to have feeling again. Needless to say, after 5 days of being in the hospital, upon Cody's second visit a few days ago, the doctors had done nothing to Chootie's arm. Cody and I "talked" about it and decided that Cody would take Chootie in a hired van to the capital city Colombo. Cody, Chootie, and one of his cousins arrived to Colombo 2 nights ago and was admitted into the private hospital there. They have been testing him for infection and will begin surgery tonight. I will keep you posted on any updates on our blog. Please be praying for Chootiepatal for the healing of his arm and also through this experience, so much more healing with his "heart." Please pray that Cody will lean on Papa's strength and be a continued blessing to Chootie to show him Papa's love. Please also pray for our protection, as Cody is 8 hours away from home and not sure when he will come back home.