Dear Tabernacle of Joy Family and Friends

Thank you for your continued prayer support for the Willoughby Family. Your prayers have given them much strength during this very difficult time.

The family met with Sis Barbara’s oncologist Wednesday evening to discuss a possible treatment option. As the treatment option proposed, radiation to the brain, will cause unpleasant side effects with no guarantee of improvement, the family with Sis Barbara’s consent decided not to proceed with any additional treatment. She has decided that she wants to spend these precious moments with her immediate family with a reasonable quality of life. Sis Barbara is not experiencing any pain. She is receiving steroid therapy. Because she has difficulty swallowing, Sis Barbara is receiving protein through a feeding tube.

Sis Barbara remains steadfast in her love of and trust in God and asks that all of you, her family and friends remain the same. As you continue to pray for the Willoughby family, pray especially that God’s presence, grace and love will be keenly felt by each one – Bishop Willoughby, Meghan, Barak and Mikayla and Sis Barbara’s parents, Alvie and Mary Denning.
 
Your Pastor and Friend
Timothy Lee Seng Keong
Tabernacle of Joy Singapore

Dear Tabernacle of Joy Family and Friends

Thank you for your continued prayers and support of the Willoughby family. Yesterday late afternoon, the Willoughby Family was told by Sis Willoughby’s physician that the cancer had spread to her nervous system (brain) and has begun to affect her senses - sight, mobility, breathing and speech.  According to the doctors, this is not a good sign. The doctors are now discussing possible treatment options.  Even with this negative report on her condition, Sis Willoughby is in high spirits and continues to exhort her family and the church staff.

Sis Willoughby understands and appreciates that many of you will want to visit and see her, but she requests that you bless her with the gift of time with her family.  The family has requested all potential visitors to contact the church office before visiting.   Please call Sis Sophia Umehara at (65) 6334 4002 or at (65) 94769719 to make an appointment before going down to the hospital.  Sis Willoughby’s speech is not clear at this time, so it is difficult for her to accept phone calls. However, all messages and words of encouragement can be sent through the Church Office and they be given to her. If you just want someone to talk to and share your thoughts, you may contact Sis Sandra Subner at (65) 97570075, (65) 63127498 (Home) or (65) 63266775 Office.

The Willoughby Family would like to express their heartfelt thanks for your prayers and words of encouragement.   Your response to Sis Willoughby’s battle has been uplifting and encouraging to the entire Willoughby Family.  Please continue to pray for the peace of God to fill the Willoughby’s hearts and minds during this difficult time.

Your Pastor and Friend
Timothy Lee Seng Keong
Tabernacle of Joy Singapore

Dear Friends
                        ‘That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men ‘

I am pleased to inform you that both Bishop and Sis Willoughby have made significant progress in their respective battles with cancer this past week. Sis Barbara Willoughby has one last radiation session tomorrow.  With the radiation to her spine coming to an end, Sis Willoughby is delighted that strength is returning to her legs enabling to her to walk with less pain and effort. She continues to hold on to her promise of complete healing.

Bro Steve Willoughby has had intensive physiotherapy as an inpatient over the past week.  The physiotherapy has helped to strengthen his legs, his left leg in particular, and to improve his mobility tremendously. 

The Willoughby family has journeyed through cancer sustained on the prayers of many around the world. This week, the Apostolic Center of Mattoon, Illinois is endeavouring to organise a global prayer during which everyone who wishes to participate in this special initiative prays for God to bring healing and strength to the Willoughbys.

Apostolic Center asks you to join with them in prayer and fasting from Monday, 6 July thru Wednesday, 8 July. You are encouraged to join them in a time of focused prayer on Thursday, 9th July, 9am – 11am.

1 Corinthians 2:5 states “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” Let us stand together and believe that the tipping point on the journey to healing and wholeness for the Willoughbys is in our prayers. 

Apostolic Center has prepared a video presentation to encourage others to join them in this prayer.
You can view it at www.apostoliccenter.org

May your week ahead overflow with His grace, mercy and love.
Resting in His Word
Sandra Subner
On behalf of Tabernacle of Joy Singapore

Dear Friends
 
Thank you for your continuous loving support for the Willoughbys. A week ago Bishop Willoughby finished a series of investigations and specialist consultations with neurosurgeons and a neurologist.  The MRI with contrast scan showed that the tumours in Bro Willoughby’s brain have reduced in size, however there is swelling on both sides of the large tumor. Swelling is a common side effect of radiation to the brain. Although the neurological tests performed on Bro Willoughby’s showed that he has strength and sensation in both legs, he has difficulty walking. The specialists believe that Bro Willoughby has gait apraxia. Gait apraxia is the inability to make walking movements with the legs. Simply put, the brain has lost some knowledge about how to perform skilled movements like walking. Bro Willoughby is now undergoing intensive physiotherapy to regain his ability to walk.
 
Sis Barbara Willoughby is gaining strength in her body everyday. She is receiving radiotherapy to her lower lumbar area every day. She will have a total of 15 sessions. She is slowly gaining strength in her legs. Following the radiotherapy, she will undergo physiotherapy for her legs.

Prayer pointers for the Willoughbys:
 

• That in the daily battle for supremacy, faith will triumph and fear will be subdued.
• That God will renew Sis Willoughby physically, emotionally and spiritually.
• That Bro Willoughby will regain the ability to walk unaided.
• That they will be reminded of God’s promises for their lives. 

I leave you with the following scriptures from Psalm 116 verses 12-14 to enter into the month of July …. “What can I offer the LORD for all he has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the LORD’s name for saving me. I will keep my promises to the LORD in the presence of all his people.” (NLT)
 
Resting in Him
Sandra Subner
On behalf of
Tabernacle of Joy Singapore
 

Dear Friends

I am pleased to inform you that Sis Barbara Willoughby was discharged from the hospital on Thursday, 18 June 2009. To be back at home with family is very comforting not only for Sis Willoughby but also her family and friends. She is continuing to have outpatient radiotherapy to her lower spinal area. She will have a total of ten radiation sessions which will hopefully allow her to gain additional strength in her legs.

Bishop Steve Willoughby will be seeking neuro-surgical specialist advice on possible surgical treatment options for his legs over the next couple of days. Please do keep this matter in prayer.

Leaning on Him
Sandra Subner
On behalf of Tabernacle of Joy Singapore