We decided last week that after three months of Ethan's stomach condition (or whatever he has, it's still unclear), it was time to get him to Singapore. To recap, back in mid July after having trace amounts of blood in his stools (okay, sorry for the graphic pictures here, but I just wanted to let you know the details), he tested positive for the parasite entamoeba histolytica. We put him on medication, which seemed to take care of the parasite, but the trace amounts of blood continued, sometimes increasing. At the same time, he seemed to be getting increasingly fussier, especially after feeding. We could also feel and hear his stomach gurgling quite a bit. Poor little guy. He was not a happy camper.
We put him on another round of medication and it still didn't stop completely. Kim went off of milk to see if he may have had a lactose intolerance. Ethan seemed to be responding, but last week the amount of blood in his diapers increased for a couple of days. We're not talking about a lot of blood, but enough to be very visible. There are lots of other details, but this is the basic gist. Our doctor friend here in Indonesia has been saying she's done all she can do; he really needs to be checked out by a specialist.
So we've been plunged yet again this year into making travel arrangements for medical reasons. This time, just Kim and Ethan are traveling. Ethan has an appointment with a pediatric gastroenterologist this Friday morning - which is Thursday night for everyone back in the US. We hope to know more after that appointment. We're praying that whatever is causing this will be very clear. We're fairly confident that whatever he has is not really serious, but does need to be taken care of.
Once again, we've had some great support by friends here in Indoland. The picture above is Ethan with Miske, Agus' wife.
Agus and Miske came over the other day to pray for Ethan and for Kim and Ethan's journey over the next week.
Some of the staff members at the learning center came over to pray yesterday morning.
Wahyu and his wife Santi, she's the administrative assistant and assistant teacher at the center. Tri and Yusak are two of the main teachers.We are truly blessed to be working alongside of such godly and caring Indonesian friends. As you pray for us, pray also for Agus and Miske, Yusak and Tri, and Santi, that love for Him will spread through the love they show and message they proclaim.
