January Curtis Medical Update

Dear Friends & Faithful supporters,

God has been changing our plans of late to come into line with his plans for us. We know that this is best, and we ask for your prayers that His will be done.

Volcanic activity?

Many have written to inquire about the volcanic activity that is currently wreaking havoc in Goma on the eastern border of Congo. This is happening approximately 2000 Kilometers east of where we live and minister. There are no known volcanic sources near us where we live, deep in the Congo river basin. Thank you for your many letters of concern.

Exciting news:

We want to share with you all the exciting news of the highly anticipated arrival of our first-born child this coming July. This is a long awaited answer to prayer for Darla and I, and we would covet your prayers as we prepare for this exciting addition to our family.

News of concern:

On January 1st, Darla had what the Doctors are calling a mild seizure. In all actuality, it was a much more scary experience for me than for her, as she does not remember a thing. Praise the Lord we were both sitting at the breakfast table when it happened, and I was able to carry her into the bedroom. Our missionary doctor in Kinshasa was quite concerned at what might have caused the seizure. Darla had no fever, symptoms of malaria, meningitis, or other diseases that are known to cause seizures, and there is no other way in Congo of testing for other possible causes. His recommendation to us was to get Darla "on the next flight" to the States or South Africa for testing, because if she would have another seizure Kinshasa clinics are not equipped to handle them, and the life of our baby could be at stake.

I worked hard the next few days at wrapping up loose ends and delegating key men in the church to handle the open ministry slots for the duration of time that we would need to be gone. Praise the Lord that we have two very Godly key men that are leading the church in our absence. The Lord worked everything out for us to purchase our tickets, visas, and make other arrangements before we were to leave.

So where are we?

We flew to South Africa the second week in January. Things have finally slowed down enough to where I can actually write and tell everyone what has been happening. Darla has gone through the series of tests that they can do for her here in South Africa, and the Doctors have ruled out all of the major "scary" things that could have caused her seizure. Yet, now that it is all said and done, they still do not know the exact reason for why it happened.

This is where we must just rest in the Lord's goodness, and thank him that He is in control. The doctors here have counseled us on what to do in the event of a second attack, and have said that they will not put Darla on medication unless it should happen again, in which case it would be necessary for the baby's sake.

We were able to have a proper pre-natal check-up in South Africa as well, and our baby is growing normally. While we watched the sonogram, the little guy was wiggling all over the place :)

We are spending the last few days of our stay here with Darla's folks just across the border in Botswana. They will be driving us back down to the Johannesburg Airport to fly out next week.

What's next:

We would covet your prayers for these next few months, and the decisions that we must make. The Doctors in Kinshasa, as well as South Africa have advised us not to have our baby in the country due to the high infant mortality rate among "first-births" there. We need much wisdom in planning on how this will all work, as here-to-fore we were planning on having the baby in a clinic in Kinshasa.

Again, God is in control, and we are seeking to rest in His goodness. Thank you so much for your prayers, and for your many letters of encouragement during this time. We will update you all very soon as to how the ministry is going in our news letter.

Because of Him,

Seth & Darla Curtis

"A missionary journey is the distance
traveled to reach the next soul with
the Gospel."
Roland Smith