Elijah's Cave

July 16th, 2009

Dear Friends and Family,

It was two weeks ago today when Jim hit a wall. It is incredible to see all that has happened since then. I will try and summrize it for you.

Jim, Jacqueline and myself are in Colorado, receiving the best professional care. Jim has been seen by two doctors, had a sleep test, and had two sessions with his counsellor. We feel very assured that we are on the right path to recovery. The one doctor's parting words were very encouraging: "I will see you in three weeks. Call me though if you are not sleeping." He was very sure that Jim's insomnia would be cured. And for two nights now, Jim has had an almost full night's sleep! We are so unaccustomed to this and I keep waking up because I am so not used to having Jim next to me in the bed!! For over a year now, we would go to bed together, but if ever I roused during the night, I would find him gone and he would be downstairs reading or otherwise trying to occupy his time of wakefulness.

This dry valley is indeed turning into a "place of springs" (psalm 84, which is the passage the Lord gave Jim while in Lebanon recently.) We are so overwhelmed by the Lord's care and provision for us through loving saints in the body. We have had all expenses covered, the counselling costs, accommodation, even just other living expenses. We can hardly contain this feeling of being loved and cared for. It is an extremely humble place to be. God is delighting in leading us to green pastures, making us to lie down beside still waters, and restoring our souls.

We have also been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and concern through over a hundred emails, expressing prayer, comfort and concern. All this is truly part of God's healing ministry to us.

A dear friend in France came to our house to minister to us the night before Jim left for the States. This is someone whom God has used to bring great insight and comfort to us of late. As soon as he heard what was happening, he took us to the story of Elijah, and showed us how this was where Jim was at. After Elijah had spent himself in service to the Lord, and had come to the end of his own strength, God Himself met with him and ministered to his needs. First feeding him under a juniper tree, and then taking him to a cave where he was able od's voice and renew his strength for the road ahead. He said that our cave will be in Colorado and that God will be speaking to us there, restoring and healing our bodies, souls and spirits. He also said we were entering the pivotal turning point in our lives.

This morning Jim read these thoughts in Psalm 95: we are to spend time in worship before Him and make sure we do not harden our hearts, but stay open to His voice.

We would value your prayers for Jim's complete recovery from stress burnout. Right now even "good stress" causes him to have palpitations and what is like a panic attack. We would also like you to pray that our hearts would remain teachable, and that we would be willing to be honest and vulnerable with those who are offering us help and gauidance through this, and that we would hear from God all that He wants to be telling us.

We love you all and are so thankful for the body of Christ!
Jim and Daphne