A response to a bomb.

My morning began with the news of a bombing in the Arrivals Hall of Domodedovo airport in Moscow.  I quickly searched the Internet for news, and there was plenty already – over 30 dead, over 130 wounded.  The death toll rose through the day, and chances are it won’t be final for another couple of days.

I’ve been there.  In that very Arrival Hall.  By myself on several occasions, with my family and mission team members on others. 

My heart broke.  I love this country, these people.

I heard about the bombing right before our weekly staff call, with US, Ukrainian, and Russian staff members all together.  We confirmed news between countries, and immediately spent time in prayer for those affected.

And then we continued with our meeting – planning, praying, preparing.  We needed to.  There is much work to be done in the fields of Eastern Europe.

Some will ask, “What will become of YouthReach International’s mission efforts in Russia now?”  “Will you still go?”  “Is it safe?”

My answer is we have been called to go.  Until the Lord releases us from that calling we will go.  And we haven’t heard anything from Him saying otherwise.

Honestly, it’s probably the safest time to fly right now.  There will be more security in international airports around the world as a result of this barbaric act.

But speaking from the heart, this is exactly why we must go.  “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

Satan wants us to not go.  He wants to tell the orphans that no one cares.  That because we’re afraid of their country we won’t visit them.  That we don’t trust enough in our God to put ourselves in His hands and travel to share His love.

We must go.       Period.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

The kids need us.  They need to know that our God is bigger than any terrorist.  That our God gives us peace that passes understanding.  That our God is the Father to the fatherless, defender of widows, King of kings, and Lord of lords.   

It is time for our faith and our feet to walk together.  To go where called.  To care for orphans in their distress.  To bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the lost, broken, and hurting.

Lord, guide our feet, our faith, and our hearts.  We pray for your compassion and mercy on those affected directly by the bombing, the country of Russia, and those involved with this horrific act.  May your love and grace be known to all of these, and may they turn to you.  Give us strength, peace, and confidence to bring your hope to the hopeless and hurting.

We must go.  We will go.

Who’s with me?

A word from Traci herself: Blessed beyond measure!

Dearest family and friends,

 

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of the fullness of God.”  Eph. 3:17-19. 

 

My heart and mind are overflowing with how GREAT our God is!  He has carried us through and has surrounded us since the beginning of this journey with the body of Christ around the world.  So many of you have had similar experiences and some of you are still going through the valley, but yet you still find time to love and encourage my family and me.  I am so grateful to God for each one of you.  Thank you for the non-stop prayers, letters, cards, e-mails, gifts, time, food, friendship, hugs and the amazing basket full of blessings that were given to me the day after my last chemo!  I truly feel as if I am being held by the God of the Universe as I read each and every letter that was sent for me.  You all have been the hands and feet of Jesus and I am forever grateful.  I wish that I could sit with each one of you and tell you exactly what you mean to me.  I pray I will get that chance with many of you, but for those of you who I may not get to meet with face to face, please, know I have you in my heart always. 

 

I would like to say an extra special “thank you” to Dawn Wolff who printed off all of the e-mails and put them together in a beautiful basket for me.  Dawn’s own mother is in her last days on earth.  Dawn and her family are surrounding their mom and ministering to her at this time and yet, Dawn made the time to minister to me as well.  Please, pray for this dear family.  They are one of the most loving families I have ever met. 

 

I am so grateful for my amazing husband who has kept everyone up to date on each step of this journey.  Thank you for taking the time to read the updates and pray for each and every need.  Our God hears and is faithful to answer.  Thank you for your continued prayers about whether or not radiation is needed.  Once again, we are praying for a clear direction. 

 

With a grateful heart,

 

Traci

 

 

 

Rob Browne Director of Russian Operations   rob@youthreach.org
678-935-0220 x103 Direct 404-518-5646 Cell 678-935-9674 Fax	http://www.youthreach.org           1911 Grayson Hwy, Ste 8-344           Grayson, GA 30017

 

 

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Chemo is finished!

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds"  It also won’t keep Traci from receiving her 6^th of 6 chemotherapy treatments!

Wow, what a day yesterday was!  60 minutes to get to the hospital that is 20 minutes away.  190 minutes to get back home and no we were not walking.  Icy roads, crazy southern drivers, and a city still pretty much paralyzed from Snowmageddon 2011 made it tough but chemotherapy treatments for my dear wife are over now.  The side effects and follow up lab work remain over the next three weeks but the drip is now a thing of the past.  Thank you God!

 

It was, as all trips to “The Chair” have been, a bittersweet thing though.  Saying goodbye to a staff that hugs us when we arrive and leave was hard.  Saying goodbye to fellow patients on journeys of their own was also hard.  They rejoiced with us while still aware of or not knowing at all how long their respective journeys will last. 

 

We also had two consultations yesterday with doctors who basically reminded us that the issue of radiation is still up in the air.  That is hard to hear on one hand but is what we have been told and expected on the other.  Our desire to “get it all over with” causes our heart to run out in front of our head sometimes.  In three weeks they and our radiation oncologist will have reviewed the results of the Oncotype DX test and we can make a decision then.  To fret about it or press now for a decision to be made is simply counterproductive.  Weather the effects of this last treatment, report to the lab as normal for blood work and in three weeks we will deal with that issue.  So…we wait.

 

And now we present our day in pictures…

 

The drip.  The chair.  The end!

 

The Hero and her sidekick leaving the treatment
room for the last time.

 

Traci receives from Christy, the world’s most wonderful oncolology professional,
the “Purple Heart Award” for completing her chemotherapy treatment.

 

Our fan club as we pulled into Traci’s parent’s garage at about 7 p.m. last night.

 

The sparkling apple cider had been on ice for days.  Finally, at 8 p.m.
last night we cracked it open! 

 

We do ask for your prayers for Traci over the next few days.  We’re moving back to Monroe today, planning for a birthday party on Saturday and trying to reboot school, work and home life over the next few days.  Much assistance from above will be needed for that. 

 

So, that is where we stand right now.  Traci looks forward to no more drips, steroids, hair loss or chemo side effects.  S l o w l y, normal is creeping its way back.

 

Until next time, we are humbled by your love and care and grateful for your friendship and prayer,

Rob

 

P.S.  Yes, that rhymed and I did not even mean for it too.  Wow!

 

Rob Browne Director of Russian Operations   rob@youthreach.org
678-935-0220 x103 Direct 404-518-5646 Cell 678-935-9674 Fax	http://www.youthreach.org           1911 Grayson Hwy, Ste 8-344           Grayson, GA 30017

 

 

The Dog Sled Is Loaded. To Chemo We Go!

Dear friends and family the world over,

 

Though Atlanta is still largely shut down due to the snow and ice, we’re headed to chemo even though we can’t get confirmation the hospital is open.  They called us yesterday to say they are not open and to reschedule our appointment for 12.45 today.  We’ve not heard from them today and though their phone system is kicking everything to voice mail we are assuming they are open but understandably swamped.

 

All that to say we will be at our appointment at 12.45.  We’re even allowing 70 minutes to make the 20 minute journey there from Traci’s parent’s house. 

 

A blessing in the delay has been my getting well enough now to accompany her.  To not have been there for the last of these treatments would have been a direct test to my attitude for sure.  Unfortunately, our children will not be with us.  Sickness and being unsure of what is ahead today kinda demands they hang close to the grandparents instead.

 

Pray that we get there, the dogs survive the trail ahead, the rations hold out, and that this is indeed the day of Traci’s last chemotherapy treatment on our journey with cancer.

Thanks again to you all,

Rob and Traci

 

Rob Browne Director of Russian Operations   rob@youthreach.org
678-935-0220 x103 Direct 404-518-5646 Cell 678-935-9674 Fax	http://www.youthreach.org           1911 Grayson Hwy, Ste 8-344           Grayson, GA 30017

 

 

No Chemo Today

Our oncologist’s office is closed today so we will try again tomorrow weather permitting.  Atlanta is indeed iced in! 

 

Traci’s desire to have it done today or tomorrow lies in the fact that she wants to be ready to host Nate’s 9^th birthday party this coming Saturday. We had to cancel it last Saturday due to Benjamin and me being sick.  The kid will be 10 before we get to it at this rate.  Overstatement of the day now completed.

 

She has a great attitude though.  She obviously has chosen to control what she can (her attitude in this case) and entrust the rest to God.  Not a bad way for me to approach the day either come to think of it.

 

Blessings to you all and thank you for the prayers and encouraging words,

Rob

 

Rob Browne Director of Russian Operations   rob@youthreach.org
678-935-0220 x103 Direct 404-518-5646 Cell 678-935-9674 Fax	http://www.youthreach.org           1911 Grayson Hwy, Ste 8-344           Grayson, GA 30017