Distractions

In the churches we have been a part of, there are very few distractions to the message comparatively speaking. But when we first arrived in Burkina, there were several we just weren’t expecting.
The rain is one fine example. When the rains first started, the people were so excited to see it again after many long, hot, dusty months. The message and lessons had to be wrapped up quickly because the noise was LOUD. The roofs here are metal, and if you’ve ever been through a storm under a metal roof, you know exactly what I’m talking about. And the people were so distracted, thrilled it had finally arrived. I remember the first time it rained on a Sunday morning here. Children and adults all played in the rain. It was a fun time.
Another interesting distraction happened last Sunday in the middle of church. Just after the preaching began, our neighbors started to cut down a rather large dead tree with a chainsaw. The young man who was preaching has a quiet voice and did his best to keep up with the message. However, the noise continued almost until the end of the message.
These are just a few examples of some of the distractions we never would have thought about before coming to Burkina. But the longer we are here, the more they sound like the norm here. Dogs barking, children playing, donkeys crying, seemingly thousands of flies buzzing…. you know the usual. It’s all starting to become normal for us, too.

A Little Something Unexpected

Before last Saturday, it had been almost seven years since I received my first, and I thought my last, proposal of marriage. However, things all changed last Saturday when I went to the marche (outdoor market) near my house.
Mary Joyce and I went to buy vegetables and fruits and got much more than we bargained for. As we were heading out of the marche and toward our vehicle, a lady stopped us trying to sell us some more. We kindly told her we had already bought everything we needed. She then asked Mary if I, the fat white girl, was her daughter. (I have found there are blunt people everywhere you go). Mary and even I had a good laugh over that. We went on to explain we are friends and work together. After this, a young Burkinabe man, who had evidently missed out on that entire conversation, asked Mary if he could marry me, her daughter. It was a shocker for the both of us. We quickly explained I was already taken, and walked quickly from the marche.
When I arrived home, I told Mike competition is steep here and he better work hard to keep me. We all have had several good laughs over this one, and hope you do to.

prayer update

Dear Friends, Family, and Prayer Partners,

What a crazy week we have gone through. Just over a
week ago, we discovered there were tumors in Jeff’s
brain (Mike’s brother). We’ve gone from the
possibility of cancerous tumors, to cancer starting
elsewhere in the body, to the immediate possibility of
Jeff undergoing surgery. That’s a lot to take in one
week’s time. At this time, the tumors are not thought
to be cancerous, he does not have any other signs of
tumors any where else in his body, and the surgery has
been postponed for a time.
Earlier this morning, Jeff was released from the
hospital and allowed to go home for two weeks. The
swelling in Jeff’s brain has been caused by a weak
vein not allowing blood flow to the right side of his
brain. The doctors originally thought the tumor was
wrapped around this vein. The doctors discovered this
weak vein during his angiogram on Monday. They
attempted to put a stint in the vein to open it up.
This was not successful in placing the stint, but in
stretching the vein some to allow it to function
better. This vein could have been the cause for a
future stroke or aneurism. It could have been
something he was born with, but was discovered in
dealing with the tumors. Isn’t God good!
Now Jeff is on his way home, and will be able to stay
there for two weeks, before returning to the hospital
in St. Louis to discuss their next steps. The tumors
have to come out, but the swelling in the brain must
go down before that will become a reality. During the
time at home, he will see his eye doctor to keep an
eye on his optic nerves.
Thank you all again for your continued prayers and
your letters of encouragement. We have received an
amazing response from you and are deeply grateful.
They have been a source of great comfort to all of us
during this difficult time.

In Christ
Mike, Pam, Blake, and Aubrey Hillhouse

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Update on My Brother’s Health

As many of you know through our email updates, this past week has been a very difficult one. Wednesday, while I was I church, I received a call that my brother was sick. They found two large tumors on the brain. This news was unexpected and shocking for the whole family, especially his wife and two little boys (ages 2 and 5). Friday we were told they thought it might be cancer, but it did not originate in the brain. Our hearts sunk! After several examinations they determined there was no sign of cancer anywhere else in the body. Praise the Lord!! The doctors are now thinking the tumors in the brain are non-cancerous as well. However, the large tumor is wrapped around the part of the brain that affects our mobility. The hospital in Springfield felt it best to transfer him to St. Louis, MO. He is now undergoing more tests. The surgery should take place this week some time.

The reason for this blog is two-fold. First, I want to thank all of you who have so diligently prayed. I believe God has answered our prayers and is in the process of performing a miracle. Secondly, he is not “out of the woods” yet. There is a possibility that Jeff could come out of the surgery paralyzed. Please continue to pray for my brother and our family. I am so thankful for so many wonderful friends who have prayed for our family and encouraged us through emails and calls.

THANK YOU!!!!