Dear Friends

In Every Season

Two weeks ago, I talked about staying in the fight. As you are aware, both Bishop and Sis Willoughby have their own battles with cancer. Over the past 72 hours, both their respective battles have become more difficult.

Sis Barbara Willoughby remains hospitalised. The cause of the fever that she was experiencing was caused by an infection in her blood. She has had five days of IV antibiotics and at present she is on oral antibiotics. In addition to the antibiotics, she has been receiving medication to correct her sodium deficiency and for pain control. SisWilloughby is now experiencing episodes of confusion which causes her to have incoherent speech and problems with her memory. The specialists are trying to determine the cause of this unexpected turn in her condition.

Bro Willoughby had a MRI with contrast performed on Friday, 12 June 2009.  The purpose of this scan was to determine why he is experiencing more weakness in his left leg and a loss of balance which is making it more difficult for him to walk. The scan appears to show that there is some bleeding in the brain. Arrangements are been made for another nuclear MRI sometime this week.

Some of you may be wondering why the reports on the Willoughbys seem to be constantly changing.  One week they are making progress, the following week there seems to be little or no progress or a worsening of their conditions. Cancer is an illness with unpredictable patterns which of course frustrates its sufferers, family members and friends. This is a very difficult time for the Willoughbys. They have prayed. You have prayed. We have prayed and yet we are not seeing at this time what we have prayed. We have prayed for miracles, complete healing, complete victory over cancer. We have also prayed for God’s Will to be done in both their lives. I don’t have any answers or explanations for what is happening right now. What I can do is pray. 

I couldn’t help but reflect deeply on the words of a worship chorus that states ‘This is my prayer in the battle, When triumph is still on its way, I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ, So firm on his promise I’ll stand ….  All of my life, in every season, You are still God.’ Bro and Sis Willoughby made a commitment many years ago to worship Him in all seasons, good or bad, sweet or bitter.  This one thing I do know  - God will receive all the glory, all the praise from these trials.

Please continue to support the Willoughbys and their children in prayer and in worship at this time.

Abiding in Him
Sandra Subner
On behalf of Tabernacle of Joy Singapore

Dear Church,
 
Jeremy is requesting for prayers for his close friends - Pastor Ian, the Australian gentleman who visited ACC with his wife Lorriane.
 
Apparently, Lorriane’s condition has become rather serious as highlighted by Pastor Ian’s email as stated below.
 
Ian says " Unfortunately, since returning home, Lorraine’s health situation has become clear. She went for her regular check-up last week, and then because of shortness of breath and extreme pain in her back, I took her to Emergency at Bega hospital Tuesday morning.

Much love and many blessings,
Ian

Jeremy believes in the power of a praying church for Sis Lorraine’s condition.

God bless
Mei Cheng

Dear Friends

Thank you for your continuous prayer support for Bishop and Sis Willoughby. Sis Barbara Willoughby is still hospitalised as she has had a fever on and off. She also has very low white blood cell counts.  Her doctor is giving her injections in order to boost both her white and red blood cell counts. Once the counts start to increase and she has no fever, she will be discharged.

Please do join us in praying that Sis Willoughby will be discharged soon. Tomorrow, Thursday, 11 June 2009, Bro Willoughby will undergo a specialised MRI scan of his brain which hopefully will allow the specialists to understand what is causing the continued weakness in his leg.

We serve a faithful and mighty God, a God of impossibilities.

Abiding in Him
Sandra Subner
On behalf of Tabernacle of Joy Singapore

Dear Friends
 
A short update on Sis Barbara Willoughby…
 
Although still hospitalised, Sis Willoughby is feeling much better today.
She is able to take small amounts of food. She thanks all of you for your love and support.
 
We continue to hold fast to the promises of God.
 
Abiding in Him
Sandra Subner
On behalf of Tabernacle of Joy Singapore

Dear Friends

I start this note this evening by saying thank you for staying in the fight with us. Cancer is a battle that is fought on many fronts – physical, emotional and spiritual. It is an illness which seeks constantly to disable faith and render the strong helpless. It is an illness which is often not fought alone ensnaring family and friends in the battle.  The battles that Bishop Steve Willoughby and Barbara Willoughby fight are not lonesome ones but ones shared by their family, their church family and those of you who have become acquainted with them through ministry over the years. Knowing that you are not fighting the battle alone helps to stay in the fight. Thank you for standing alongside the Willoughbys in their fight.

On Wednesday, 3 June 2009, Sis Willoughby resumed her full body chemotherapy and had a second dose of chemotherapy injected into her spinal column. She reported that she was experiencing less pain in her legs. Last night, Sis Willoughby was beset with nausea and severe pain in her head which could not be alleviated by the pain killers that had been prescribed to her. She was re-admitted to a hospital early Friday morning, 5 June 2009. A MRI of the brain did not detect anything that would be causing her pain. One test did show that her sodium level was low. Measures were started late afternoon to try to reverse this. When visited in the evening, Sis Willoughby was fast asleep and resting comfortably. If she continues to have considerable reduction in her pain score, the oncologist will consider discharging her tomorrow, Saturday, 6 June.

Earlier today, Bishop Willoughby had a full body CT scan as part of his follow-up review. The scan report was clear. As Bro Willoughby continues to experience significant weakness in his left leg due to the swelling in his brain, a specialised MRI will be carried out next Thursday, 11 June 2009.

Prayer pointers at this point in time are:

• That the pain that Sis Willoughby has been experiencing will cease.
• That restoration of wholeness and strength will come upon Sis Willoughby’s body.
• That Bro Willoughby’s left leg will be restored to its normal functioning.
• That God will grant wisdom and understanding to the oncologist, Dr Khoo Kei Siong treating both Bishop and Sis Willoughby.
• For a hedge of protection around Meghan, Barak and Mikayla Willoughby.
• For great peace and great strength to be upon Pastor Timothy Lee and Tabernacle of Joy.

May you have a blessed and impactful weekend!

Staying in the fight
Sandra Subner
On behalf of Tabernacle of Joy Singapore

Be still and know that I am God ….  Psalm  46:10