Organic church in Jose’s hospital room

For those of you who are not aware of the extraordinary story of Jose and his mother, Rosaura, you can read it here.

Jose has been in hospital for two weeks now and he and Rosaura miss church–so last night we took church to them. It was a precious time. We ate and shared and prayed with Jose and Rosaura. A new friend had brought his guitar and we worshipped together.

Rosaura shared with us how, just a few weeks ago, if she hadn’t met with Jesus, she would have dealt with the current situation by getting high. She is now completely set free and is fearless in sharing with others what the Lord has done for her. Just a few days ago, she had us praying with one of the other patients–a young girl with inoperable cancer–and her mother.

Another of the young men shared how his life has been transformed by meeting Jose–how his life used to wracked with fears and anxieties, but now he wakes up every day spontaneously praising Jesus. He and Rosaura agreed: liberty is the best description of what Jesus has done for them.

Jose is not out of the woods yet. I’ve delayed a report on his situation because there is, as yet, no definitive diagnosis. For those of you who are praying for him, here is a medical update. The tumor was about 85% removed. Pathology shows that most of it was a benign tumor that can be treated with medication, but there were also some undifferentiated cells present that may represent something more sinister. The doctor was not happy with the initial pathology diagnosis and has sent the biopsy off for a second opinion.

Jose’s pituitary was destroyed by the tumor and it has left him with a host of hormonal complications.  For example, he no longer produces the hormone that regulates his fluid balance. During the year before his diagnosis, because the tumor destroyed the part of his brain that tells you when you have eaten enough, he gained over 100 lbs. Jose now has to measure everything he eats and drinks and has to take hormones to compensate for the absent pituitary.

Please continue to pray with us. Jose will be discharged in the next day or so. He and Rosaura have to work together as a team as he tries to live within the necessary food and fluid restrictions. (Jose is a 16 year old teenager!) And obviously we continue to seek the Lord for his complete healing.