June 3, 2009

As many of you know from our recent newsletters, Bill postponed a minor surgery last month because a 6 cm mass was found in his lower left lung. During pre-op checkups, it was found that Bill’s blood levels were not in the proper range to perform surgery (or a biopsy) because of his prior anti-coagulation therapy. He was admitted to the hospital earlier this week to rectify that situation.

Further tests revealed that Bill also had brief traces of pneumonia present in his left lung around the mass. The medical staff has been able to bring his blood levels closer to an acceptable level for a biopsy through an aggressive regimen of antibiotics and drug treatment. The pneumonia does not appear to have spread beyond the left lower quadrant of the lung.

Bill is weak and, at this point, humbly requests no phone calls or visits be made as this poses a strain on his body in speaking with visitors. Harriett is faithfully caring for him as she so wonderfully has done through all of their years together as a missionary couple. He and Harriett want everyone to know that your prayers are felt as the Lord ministers to them - and that the Great Physician’s bedside manner is gracious and gentle!

Your prayers and support have been especially meaningful to them through the years. It is even more precious now. Bill and Harriett want to remind their supporters that they are rejoicing together in a Psalm that speaks of the greatness of our Lord in the deep trials of life:”…I will know that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise - in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

I am under vows to you, O God; I will present my thank offerings to you. For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” Ps 56:9-13

Should you want to send a card, please use our address below and we will deliver them to Harriett:

In Touch Mission International
ATTN: Bill Bathman
PO Box 7575
Tempe, Arizona 85281
Or email a word of encouragement to:itmi@intouchmission.org

From all of us at ITMI,Thank you for your love in Christ!

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June 5, 2009 (am)

Spent time with Bill this morning. Biopsy was canceled yesterday - a little disappointed, since this was the 3rd attempt. Read Psalm 103 to him and prayed together. What a sweet time to see Bill mist up when telling me of some of the folks he has been privileged to lead to Christ! Harriett is going strong - and advocating on behalf of Bill to the nursing staff. Today, our prayer is that Bill’s blood levels may be in the range which will allow the medical staff to perform the biopsy. More updates to follow. JB

June 5, 2009 (pm)

Came in to find that Bill had his biopsy! Harriett was with him and Bill was awake and aware of his surroundings. He told me that this was the worst pain he had felt since being admitted. The surgery doctor made an incision in his back to get to the mass which was close to the wall of the lung and not more centralized in the lung cavity.

His appetite came back which was a great sign. Bill had gone 2 days without food in anticipation of the biopsy procedure. He was looking forward to a juicy hamburger, but settled for a tasty chicken pot pie. Harriett was quite pleased with the nursing staff that was attending Bill that day and showed a marvelous ability to connect with the younger nurses. Harriett has used these gifts to help ITMI facilitate medical projects in different countries - and one can only hope that today younger nurses might catch a vision to use their gifts for the Kingdom of God.

Left after a time of sweet communion and prayer. JB

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June 6, 2009 (am)

Found a much stronger Bill this morning anticipating a release from the hospital. Bill was in a jocular mood with the staff that came in almost one after another after another! Much laughter between generations. It’s apparent that the nursing staff likes coming into the room to visit.

Bill does have a very serious cough that keeps on going once he starts. But there is improvement. Harriett noticed that, after the biopsy, the blood in his sputum was not as prominent.

We all had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Martinez later in the morning - the hospitalist with the authority to release. The beauty of his accent, along with his Latin mannerisms, were a delight to enjoy. His bedside manner was gracious and it was evident that he was genuinely concerned for Bill’s well-being.

Dr. Martinez did, however, display a hesitation in releasing Bill due to some issues that are present in the lung that did not appear on the X-ray yesterday. Without going into great detail, there is a fluid-like substance that is building exterior to the lung which may cause a collapse. This would put Bill into respiratory distress and precipitate other organs to go into alarm state. A domino effect of catastrophic failure could occur if not controlled and observed for a longer period of time. The answer to going home today was “no”.

However, this was not to be a total loss or disappointment. While we spent a good 30 minutes with this caring doctor, listening to his concerns for Bill’s recovery and hearing in layman’s terms what was going on in Bill’s body, we found out that Dr. Martinez was a Christian who was absolutely unashamed of the Gospel of Christ as he shared with us his vision of ministering to mind, body and soul. He has a ministry, with two offices here locally, that help folks battle against diabetes. Of course, when we knew we had a doctor who was also united to us by the blood of Christ, we bowed our heads together and gave thanks to our precious Lord.

Please continue to pray for Bill as he will now undergo an extraction of the fluid that is pressing upon his left lung to determine if it is blood or another substance filling up the space between the rib cage and the lung. Please also pray for Harriett as she continues to advocate for Bill, take care of his needs in her tender way, and ministers to his spirit through prayer, Bible reading, and loving conversation. The art of bedside nursing is in danger of being lost in our generation, but Harriett has been a wonderful example to the nurses assigned to Bill’s case.

Pray for me - as I move on your behalf - to minister to these precious, faithful servants of our Lord Jesus Christ. “God moves in us, both to will and to do, His good pleasure.” JB

June 6, 2009 (pm)

Number of issues coming to the surface. Moved Bill to a pressurized room - with masks, etc as a precaution. No visitors, but the One Who is All-Present and Ever-Faithful.

Bill and Harriett sense God’s presence and are content in His will. “For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” JB

June 8th, 2009

Harriett has been busy with helping Bill and the details on Bill’s condition are not as frequent. However, we did receive this short update from one of our Board members.”

Regarding Bill’s condition: the pulmonary specialist said that they could have the results of the lumbar biopsy later today, but it might be inconclusive. If that is the case, they would have to repeat the procedure! Nothing definite on that yet and you know how it goes with test results. His voice sounded stronger today and he said he did feel some better. PTL! Think they are eager to get back home. I know they appreciate all of the prayers.”

Continue to pray for Bill and Harriett and the doctors as they all continue to become tools in the Master’s hands. From all of us at ITMI, we thank you greatly for your prayers and support. Blessings, Steve Evers

June 10, 2009

Dear friends,

I want you to know that I’m taking things one day at a time. The Lord has been gracious to me and His kindnesses are evident every day. The nursing staff and doctors here at Banner Baywood are some of the most caring people I’ve ever run across. Of course, I’ve got the best nurse of all in my sweet wife Harriett whom God has especially fitted out to put up with a fella like me - and for almost 58 years! How I praise God for my faithful wife!

Got to spend some precious moments on the phone with my children and am reminded that God has given me a heritage in them and their children. My “quiver is full” and “my cup runneth over.” The Lord has done it all. How can that ever compare with what I’ve done or gained in this world? What a blessing it is to have faithful children and grandchildren.

We are waiting on test results that will come in over the next couple of days. Harriett and I both say, “Thank you.” Your prayers and support have sustained us through the many trials and triumphs in our journey in this life. This is simply one more trial and we know it was God who worked in you to desire and do good toward us.

Thank you, dear friends.

Thank you for your faithful service to our precious Savior by serving others.

God bless.

Yours together in His grip,

Bill and Harriett

June 12, 2009

What a sweet day today is - I get to leave the hospital and come home!

I had an MRI yesterday and a PET scan this morning, so I’ve got more test results to wait for. But the joy of coming home overshadows everything else. I want to sleep in my own bed and take a shower in my own bathroom. I want to be in familiar surroundings with the one I love.

Harriett and I found out the results of the biopsy a couple of days ago - carcinoma of the lung. No decisions as to the appropriate treatment have been made yet, but I have peace with God knowing that I am reconciled to Him through the blood of the cross.
Jesus has been, is, and always will be my Savior and King. I am ready to come home to Him. Rejoice with us in that!

In the mean time, He has given me a blessed opportunity to remain -for how long only He knows - and I will take these moments of opportunity to keep sharing His grace to others in the time allotted.

All of my days have been written in His book before I ever walked in one of them (Ps 139:16), so I am unafraid and unashamed to speak the truth in love, to speak the truth as it is in Jesus, to speak the truth pure and simple. I have learned in my years as a missionary that too many men cower in the face of truth while pretending to be fans of it.

“An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.” Prov 29:27

My friends and loved ones, never be afraid of the truth even if it kills you. It may be for your ultimate good. He Who is the Truth, with a capital “T”, can resurrect you like Lazarus if you belong to Him.

Yours together in His grip,

Bill and Harriett

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June 16, 2009

A New Day

I was exhausted after getting home from the hospital on Friday and spent the whole weekend resting with Harriett. How good it is to be together and rest in the shade of His love! No greater shade tree exists than the Tree of Life - the tree that stood in the center of the hill we call Calvary. We think about this often and say to all of you again, “Thank you, dear friends. We can truly sense that you are surrounding His throne with your prayers because we feel God’s love being poured out on us in abundance!”

My thoughts have turned to completing the sequel to Going Through. I’m trying to gain the momentum and strength to put the final pieces together, but I have often been hindered over the past several months. The Lord has not forgotten me though. He has given me help in a way that I could not have imagined over a year ago when Harriett and I were in South Africa. He has graciously given me another helper to come alongside us who, along with his family, is living by faith as we did in the early days.

We stepped out in faith almost 60 years ago as Harriett and I answered God’s call upon our lives. Our faith has always rested in Him because He is the God of His word. What God starts He always finishes - because He sees it through to the very end. (Php 1:6) So we believe that we will finish in faith because He is working in us to bring glory to Himself.

But that doesn’t mean we are idle. We have an obligation, as the apostle Paul would say, to be ever faithful, true to our word, finishing the things we start. We are “working out our salvation with fear and trembling” (Php 2:12) which means: with deep reverence and humility, we are seeking to honor God in every moment even when no one is looking - for a salvation that is so freely given, yet thoroughly undeserved.

As I run this final lap of the race set before me, I must say once more that if there has been any good that has come from my ministry to you through the years, it is all because of Him. I cannot blame Him for any failures or missteps along the way. I take full responsibility for those because I have learned to say with the publican, “God be merciful to me - a sinner.” (Lk 18:13)

God isn’t in the business of saving those who justify themselves. We must get to the place where we can say with no hint of hypocrisy or deceipt, “Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” (1Tim 1:15) Only when we come to the end of ourselves, can we ever be born anew.Then, a new day will dawn.

Yours together in His grip,

Bill and Harriett

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June 20, 2009

Where cancer abounds

Yesterday, Harriett and I visited my oncologist. This was a week after coming home from the hospital and we were a bit anxious to hear the report on tests that were run just prior to my leaving. The good news is that the mass in my lung has not metastasized at this point! For that, we are thankful to the Lord.

The 6cm mass, however, has grown to about 8cm in little more than a month. Strangely, I began to ponder the contrast the apostle Paul set up between Adam and Jesus in Romans 5. Paul argues that where sin abounds (in the person of Adam - the fallen head of the human race), grace super-abounds (in Jesus - the new and unfallen head of the human race). That is where my hope rests: not in me, but in Christ Jesus, my Lord. I can say now, “Where cancer abounds, grace doth much more abound!”

I also want to say, on the eve of Father’s Day, to my children and grandchildren: How blessed I am to have been your dad and grandpa. God has blessed me through you! I have had the distinct privilege of saying a thousand times and more, “I love you!” - three of the most powerful words in the world. But I am not the first to say it, nor will I be the last. That honor and privilege belongs to God alone Who said to a world of sinners “I love you” by sending us His Son to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. (1Jn 4:9-10)

So “fight the good fight” and stay true to the course laid out before you by our champion Jesus who ran it first…and WON! I have more to say, but will keep it for our private moments together.

To my faithful friends: thank you for your precious comments and prayers. Your words mean so much to Harriett and me - and what I have said to my own I say to you as well: Never give up. Never compromise. Never shake hands with the devil. That’s what it means to me to “fight the good fight” and “stay true to the course.” Thanks a million for your love to us through the years! We love you. (1Jn 4:19)

Yours together in His grip,

Bill and Harriett

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June 23, 2009

“chemo-light”

Dear praying friends,

Last Friday (6/19) we had about a 30-minute visit with our oncologist, Dr. Mendonca. She gave us a full report on the PET/CT scan taken the last day Bill was in hospital. Like most things today, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is that the cancer has not metastasized (spread) to other parts of the body. We thank the Lord for that and give Him the praise for your intercession.

The CT scan (the 3rd one during this illness) indicated that the lung mass has enlarged from approximately 6cm to 7.8cm in just over one month. We discussed various options with Dr. Mendonca. Surgery is not indicated due to his heart / lung condition.

She mentioned chemo-therapy and Bill responded, “Doctor, why would I want to begin a chemical regimen where an improbable cure would be worse than the disease?” She understood and said, “Oh, it wouldn’t be like the stronger doses that we give to younger men 50 or 60 or even 70 years old. It would be much milder and simply retard the growth of the mass.” Bill immediately dubbed it “chemo-light” and we all laughed.

We, of course, are certain that God is perfectly ably to shrink the mass or do away with it altogether if that is His will. And His will is what we’re most interested in.

Today, Bill had more blood work at the lab and they took 2 more x-rays of his chest. We’ll have the results of those on Wednesday when we have another appointment with Dr. Mendonca. Please keep us in your prayers.

Lovingly in Christ,

Harriett