Mandy's Health

During the time we have been in Malawi, our health has been a concern. With very little access to healthy choices for meals and no access to proper vitamins and medicines, it has been difficult to maintain what we have learned over the past few years about diet and exercise. Healthy food choices for Americans are extremely expensive here in Malawi. Meat has doubled in price and lean meats are even more outrageous. A 3 pound chicken is about $9 and it used to cost about $3 when we first came here. A 1 pound package of lean ground beef costs about $5 which is a little more reasonable and probably the cheapest meat, but we know we shouldn't eat red meat too often. Fish and pork are way out of our budget, but we do treat ourselves occasionally. Mandy was always aware that she had to consider her cholesterol and has tried to eat as healthy as was possible here.

Vitamins and medicines have been purchased in the US during our breaks and our daughter, Sarah sends us things periodically when we run out. There are some vitamins available here, but again, the price is out of reach and we have no idea what kind of quality we would be getting.

So, we have adjusted somewhat here trying to exercise and eat fairly healthily, even though some of our Malawian friends think we are extravagant in our diets because what we eat, they can not even dream of having. So sometimes we eat well while feeling guilty that we can not share with those with much less. The guys that work for us sometimes ask for the fat that we cut off our meats.

It's been reported to our supporters and friends that Mandy had another mild heart attack in October and was evacuated to Johannesburg South Africa for treatment. She was admitted to Milpark Hospital and a wonderful cardiologist immediately performed an angioplasty in which he placed 2 stints to unclog an artery that was 99% blocked.

God has a way of turning bad into good and He does that so beautifully time and time again in our lives. We were terrified that this would mean that we would have to give up this beautiful ministry that He has blessed us with. With much prayer, we proceeded through the process of what was happening all around us. We were taken by a special medical plane to Johannesburg (about a 2 hour flight). After landing it was another 45 minutes to the hospital by ambulance. When we arrived the doctor met with Larry as Mandy was prepped for the procedure. By the time Larry was finished checking her into the hospital, the procedure was completed and she was taken to Cardiac Intensive Care.

The pain from the angioplasty was intense, but not as intense as the sense of relief, peace, love and assurance from the Holy Spirit that everything was in God's control. That sense of love from the Lord radiated through her body just as the chest pain had radiated before. God was blessing us in a HUGE way that we have never before experienced. We knew that it would be ok for us to stay in Malawi.

The doctor gave us the ok to stay in Malawi as long as we make trips for check ups with him. We have to go back in January/February and then every six months. She was ordered to rest for 6 weeks, which is difficult during this time as we have committed ourselves to delivering maize to hungry families. All of Mandy's medicines (and vitamins) and probably all of Larry's will be available to us in South Africa and since we will be going there every six months or so, we can purchase things at a reasonable price.

God is so good! How can we say it enough or even express it sufficiently!? There is no way! We are so grateful for everyone that prayed for us during this difficult time. In a way, we are wishing Satan would leave us alone but realize the more he attacks, the more opportunity there is for God to bless us. So with that in mind, we say, "BRING IT ON!" We will be ready for the blessings that follow.