NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET - PLEASE KEEP PRAYING!

There are shout of joy and praise going up to our Father from around the world because of the report I sent out yesterday saying there are no signs of cancer on the head of the pancreas and that on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, the surgeon won't have to remove the whole pancreas, but only cut off the tail which has a tumor on it. I have received an abundance of short emails praising God. As I was reading through them I got a sense that some may be tempted to think that all is well now and stop praying. However, we are not out of the woods yet.

After the surgery to remove the tumor at the tail end of the pancreas, the tumor will be tested for cancer. If it is cancerous, then I will probably have to undergo chemotherapy treatments in case it has begun to spread. Even if the tumor at the tail end shows no signs of cancer, I will still need to do follow-up P.E.T. Scans in the months/years ahead to make sure the "atypical" cells at the head of the pancreas do not turn cancerous.

Some are still asking how to financially help with the medical expenses. Without us ever asking a single person to help financially, God has moved the hearts of so many to give toward our medical expenses. It is the responsible thing for me to inform you that I have discussed with David Culp, an elder from the Westover Hills Church of Christ in Austin, Texas (who is currently with me here in Singapore) that if the giving exceeds our current medical expenses, then the remainder will be set aside into a medical fund for my future expenses since these funds are being donated for my medical expenses.

In Asia, the Bedok Church of Christ in Singapore has agreed to be a collecting church. They have requested that all cheques be payable to "Church of Christ- Bedok" and put "for Robert Reagan" behind the check. The Bedok address is: Bedok Church of Christ 1260 Bedok Reservoir Road,Singapore 479222Republic of Singapore

In the U.S.A., the Westover Hills Church of Christ in Austin, TX has agreed to be a collecting church. Make checks out to Westover Hills Church of Christ and attach a note to the check that says "for Robert Reagan medical expenses." The Westover Hills address is:Westover Hills Church of Christ8332 Mesa DriveAustin, TX 78759(512) 345-6386

God has used this situation to stir hearts to prayer. Whatever the outcome of the operation and the tumor testing, may God give me the faith to trust "Thy will be done." It would appear that God is beginning the grant my request for 30 more years of service in His Kingdom. (By the way, my son Branson asked, "Daddy, why didn't you ask for 40 years? : ) I told him I didn't want to be greedy.)

So, please keep praying! Maybe this "not totally out of the woods yet" feeling will keep me thankful to God each day for the precious gift of life.