Update 22 Feb - One Day till Surgery
Link: Tae Kami Medical Fund.
Its a day before her operation. Yes - the surgeon has confirmed everything from the cheekbones to the upper teeth is coming out in a 12 - 18 hour operation. We are planning for a slow family day and most likely the last time she will talk normally for a while. She says she is anticipating her "muteness" but can only wait and ask for your prayers through this time.
If I could describe what we have seen over the past 2 weeks... the only explanation is your prayers are reaching us like we would never have anticipated. We have been visited by people from the Tongan community several groups of people each afternoon and evening simply because they have been moved by Tae's interviews and faith on radio. Everyday someone from another Tongan radio show calls in and asks to speak to Tae. We have received emails, phonecalls and cards from all over the globe. Friends of friends, distant relatives, some anonymous offering encouragement and many saying they have been challenged by her faith. Tae continues to share that God has a purpose for her with her cancer and when she can she insists on singing her anthem "His Eyes are on the Sparrow" with visitors and even on radio through the phone! The response is amazing... and humbling.
The publicity was something we were reluctant with but it has taken a life of its own and after having so many people sharing how their lives and faith has been challenged by Tae's we have let her speak when she feels she wants to respond. Yesterday a TV programme shot several hours of footage for a 8-10 minute piece on "Attitude". She will be on possibly the next Womens Weekly magazine (NZ only) and several radio shows. We have been informed that prayer and church groups in several countries will be fasting and praying for Tae today and tomorrow. Many may never meet her but..... wow.
Funding: We needed $26000 as a deposit for tomorrow. That amount has
been received in less then 12 days with several fundraising activities
going on to meet further costs. Trevor and Litia Simpson, Frank and
Eleni Koloi and Rev. Nau Ahosivi (Australia) are the team coordinating
various activities in NZ and Australia. Others have also stepped forward
to assist. We hear there are other activities going on in England
(Elenoa) and Tonga. And even more so, our own home church in Tonga and
the Methodist and SUTT in NZ (The Methodists) have stepped up to the
plate and had an offering last Sunday on $1 / person them - this is
unprecedented in our traditional church and has opened doors for a more
compassionate church!
We have also been moved by several Tongan and NZ Businesses making
contributions. Finally, the medical team have generously waived or reduced their fees
bringing overall costs of the operation down but we are warned to
prepare for the costs on followup. Thank you all for taking this burden
away. We hope that this will move towards the development of a
foundation that will deal with "cancer kids" or special cases from Tonga
or the Pacific in future.
What to pray for?
1. Tae's Operation - that everything will go 100% well. That we will see
full recovery of her functions (voice, mouth, smell, taste, swallowing,
tears etc). The medical team and all those involved.
2. Cancer - good news yesterday - lymph nodes in neck are clear and chest xrays show no spreading. Please pray that tomorrows surgery can clear the rest of it without further radiotherapy.
3. That she will have the strength, patience, endurance to take the discomfort and pain of therapy and reconstruction over the next 9-12 months.
4. For us...parents and family here and around the world. That we can just trust through this whole period and share a little of the faith she bubbles over with.
5. For everyone who has stepped up to pray, support and share a word that being involved in this journey will have blessed you you as well.
Whatever happens over the next few days we have a quiet assurance .... she has been entrusted to us and her purpose / future is in God's hands. For 13 years we have been blessed and privileged to be part of her life and God alone will decide if this blessing will continue. The last few days have taught us that all we can do is leave it to Trust Him.
We love you all - 'ofa atu and blessings.
Dear Tae,
You are definitely an inspiration to kids all over the world! We continue to hold you in our hearts and prayers! I will do all I can in California to support your wellness!
'Ofa Lahi Atu,
Auntie Kava Tulua
Posted by: Kava Tulua | February 23, 2006 at 07:11 AM