Well we have some news on David and he would like to tell it to you himself.
(If you get the email you are going to have to click on the blog to watch it.)
If you want to see the longer interview with David you can watch it here
As far as Julie goes, her post-delivery issues have not been noticed for many weeks and the Stratus which was stolen around Memorial Day is up and running for less than what we were initially told, $600 instead of $1,000.
Tonight, the Zilkies sleep in peace. Thanks for you prayers and especially for David. This has been huge for him and his spiritual journey.
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The Narrow Path
Showing posts with label Prayer Requests. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prayer Requests. Show all posts
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
The Boiler Room
Tonight we experienced our first "Boiler Room" at Rooftop. That is the worship night to include communion that takes place every 3-4 months. Not only that, but I was able to work with Jason in planning it and was able to contribute some of my heart and personality into the evening. It was a great privilege for sure.
In addition to that, one of my Rooftop brothers asked this week if we wanted to lay hands on David and pray for him at some point. I felt like the Boiler Room was the time and place for that. So about half way through, I went and got David from his kids room at the church and we sat down and read James 5:13-18 together. I asked him what James said to do if you were sick, and he said, "ask the elders of the church to come and pray for him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord". I asked David if he would mind if we did that, he said "No, I would like that".
I couldn't ask everyone to pray as I did not want to take away the focus of the evening. However, I know the Rooftop family loves and embraces us and our family and our recent challenges. I am thankful for each of you who want to live fully for Jesus and allow me to be encouraged and motivated by witnessing it first hand. I also pray for David, that he would see passionate followers of Jesus who love Him above all else and will obey His commands. I don't know how, but this was a big night for David. As I was praying I thought of Jacob who wrestled with God in Gen 32:22-32 for a whole night and before the dawn He bested God in the wrestling match and got his blessing. But...God touched his hip and he walked with a limp thereafter.
I believe we acted in faith by praying for David and I do believe God will heal him. Might I be wrong, maybe...but more importantly, I am praying that whatever the journey my son goes on with his God, that David may be convinced of God's blessing on him and if the price for that is a limp like Jacob, then so be it.
The Boiler Room finished up, the band and the horns did a great job. Communion was awesome as we knelt collectively at the improvised altars...it was a special night for sure. Just another short wonderful chapter for us here in St. Louis, following God's call on our life to go to a land I will show you.
In addition to that, one of my Rooftop brothers asked this week if we wanted to lay hands on David and pray for him at some point. I felt like the Boiler Room was the time and place for that. So about half way through, I went and got David from his kids room at the church and we sat down and read James 5:13-18 together. I asked him what James said to do if you were sick, and he said, "ask the elders of the church to come and pray for him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord". I asked David if he would mind if we did that, he said "No, I would like that".
I couldn't ask everyone to pray as I did not want to take away the focus of the evening. However, I know the Rooftop family loves and embraces us and our family and our recent challenges. I am thankful for each of you who want to live fully for Jesus and allow me to be encouraged and motivated by witnessing it first hand. I also pray for David, that he would see passionate followers of Jesus who love Him above all else and will obey His commands. I don't know how, but this was a big night for David. As I was praying I thought of Jacob who wrestled with God in Gen 32:22-32 for a whole night and before the dawn He bested God in the wrestling match and got his blessing. But...God touched his hip and he walked with a limp thereafter.
I believe we acted in faith by praying for David and I do believe God will heal him. Might I be wrong, maybe...but more importantly, I am praying that whatever the journey my son goes on with his God, that David may be convinced of God's blessing on him and if the price for that is a limp like Jacob, then so be it.
The Boiler Room finished up, the band and the horns did a great job. Communion was awesome as we knelt collectively at the improvised altars...it was a special night for sure. Just another short wonderful chapter for us here in St. Louis, following God's call on our life to go to a land I will show you.
Monday, June 1, 2009
A Jolt in the Night (Update on David)
Last Saturday morning at about 5am, Julie and I were jarred out of our sleep by the wailing of David (7) our oldest son. At the same time as we were abruptly waking up, Jonathan (5) is standing there silently staring at us wanting to tell us David needs help, which freaked out Julie a second time. Well, our son David who had been mentioning some slight pain in his hips for a week or so is now in terrible pain and can’t move his legs to get out of bed. This was surprising to say the least and so sad to see and hear our beloved David in the condition we found him early that morning.
As we talked with David and asked him what happened and how everything was feeling, we didn’t feel there was anything that the ER would do and we had an appointment with a pediatric orthopedic specialist first thing on Monday. I got David up, helped him walk around a little bit to try to loosen things up, gave him some Ibuprofen, and he was able to settle back down to sleep for several more hours. That morning however, I was carrying him to the bathroom, to the breakfast table, to the couch, and wherever else he needed to go so as not to inflame his hip and increase his pain once again.
Sunday we took it easy and he felt a little better and really wanted to go to church, so we did. This morning he, Jonathan and I went to the Shriner’s Hospital here in St. Louis to have David checked out. The hospital was wonderful and every step of the way we were so taken care of. Although we spent several hours between x-rays, pictures, therapy, and consulting with the Asst. Chief of Staff, the time flew by. Most importantly, we received a pretty good prognosis and information which definitely helps us as we move forward.
Although they could not diagnose exactly what the problem was, they believe it is one of two things. X-rays showed no bone damage to either the upper femur bone or hip socket. This meant that David either has a temporary infection of some kind which is inflaming his hip and in a week or two it will pass, or he has Perthes Disease (click on link for details). Not yet knowing which it is, the Dr. has taken precautions as if it were Perthes and we are to limit David’s leg activity. We need to remove any weight-bearing on the hip so he is to use crutches or a child walker for the next 5 weeks. At the same time, we need to do regular stretches and exercises to ensure that his range of motion stays constant and secure if the bone does deteriorate and thus begin to heal thereafter. The problem is that the bone could heal itself misshapen or oblong and endanger David with serious loss of motion in his leg and hip long term. The exercises ensure a smooth and rounded femur that fits smoothly and moves freely in the hip socket. It was kind of a shock to Julie when I told her David will need to use a walker and crutches, but the diagnosis could have been much worse.
Along with this little surprise, Julie continued to have some bleeding and complications in the aftermath of Selah’s birth, which also picked up in intensity this past week. Sadly, this is something that could have been discovered in the hospital, but after some post-birth challenges in the delivery room no follow up was considered or done. Julie went to the doctor today for an initial prognosis and we are going to see what our options are short of an extensive procedure which would require anesthetic on her part and complicate her caring for and nursing Selah.
The Zilkie’s are doing well and we love being here in St. Louis. However, we are “in the fight” and as Jesus said, you can expect opposition as you seek to follow after me. We humbly, yet confidently believe we are in the center of God’s will considering how He got us here to St. Louis and how well we have been received by the Rooftop family. We definitely need your prayers as we are commanded by our Lord to pray for one another and intercede on behalf of each other, believing whole-heartedly that our prayers are heard (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) and that we are actively involved in the battle each day.
In the meantime, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.” (Jesus – John 16:33)
As we talked with David and asked him what happened and how everything was feeling, we didn’t feel there was anything that the ER would do and we had an appointment with a pediatric orthopedic specialist first thing on Monday. I got David up, helped him walk around a little bit to try to loosen things up, gave him some Ibuprofen, and he was able to settle back down to sleep for several more hours. That morning however, I was carrying him to the bathroom, to the breakfast table, to the couch, and wherever else he needed to go so as not to inflame his hip and increase his pain once again.
Sunday we took it easy and he felt a little better and really wanted to go to church, so we did. This morning he, Jonathan and I went to the Shriner’s Hospital here in St. Louis to have David checked out. The hospital was wonderful and every step of the way we were so taken care of. Although we spent several hours between x-rays, pictures, therapy, and consulting with the Asst. Chief of Staff, the time flew by. Most importantly, we received a pretty good prognosis and information which definitely helps us as we move forward.
Although they could not diagnose exactly what the problem was, they believe it is one of two things. X-rays showed no bone damage to either the upper femur bone or hip socket. This meant that David either has a temporary infection of some kind which is inflaming his hip and in a week or two it will pass, or he has Perthes Disease (click on link for details). Not yet knowing which it is, the Dr. has taken precautions as if it were Perthes and we are to limit David’s leg activity. We need to remove any weight-bearing on the hip so he is to use crutches or a child walker for the next 5 weeks. At the same time, we need to do regular stretches and exercises to ensure that his range of motion stays constant and secure if the bone does deteriorate and thus begin to heal thereafter. The problem is that the bone could heal itself misshapen or oblong and endanger David with serious loss of motion in his leg and hip long term. The exercises ensure a smooth and rounded femur that fits smoothly and moves freely in the hip socket. It was kind of a shock to Julie when I told her David will need to use a walker and crutches, but the diagnosis could have been much worse.
Along with this little surprise, Julie continued to have some bleeding and complications in the aftermath of Selah’s birth, which also picked up in intensity this past week. Sadly, this is something that could have been discovered in the hospital, but after some post-birth challenges in the delivery room no follow up was considered or done. Julie went to the doctor today for an initial prognosis and we are going to see what our options are short of an extensive procedure which would require anesthetic on her part and complicate her caring for and nursing Selah.
The Zilkie’s are doing well and we love being here in St. Louis. However, we are “in the fight” and as Jesus said, you can expect opposition as you seek to follow after me. We humbly, yet confidently believe we are in the center of God’s will considering how He got us here to St. Louis and how well we have been received by the Rooftop family. We definitely need your prayers as we are commanded by our Lord to pray for one another and intercede on behalf of each other, believing whole-heartedly that our prayers are heard (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) and that we are actively involved in the battle each day.
In the meantime, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.” (Jesus – John 16:33)
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Africa
This morning a team of people, many of them members of our former ministry "The Calling" left for Zimbabwe on a two week mission trip. Josh White, Emily Buurstra, Tim & DeAnne Nichols, Chris Schmidt, and Andria Ramsey are part of this present team. Josh and Chris were part of the team that Julie and I were on two years ago. In fact, it was two years ago this week Julie and I left on our first mission trip together since getting married in 2000. I had traveled on mission trips previously, but this was our first since getting married. It was a great trip for us in that it opened our eyes up to another world. A world we are still in contact with, supporting in various ways, and praying for as it continues to crumble under the weight of corruption and abuses of power. Zimbabwe is a much different place and a much more difficult place than it was even two years ago.
Zimbabwe Team - April 2007
Just like we did on our trip, this team will host weekend retreats for the youth of the area; they will visit the orphanages and feeding centers Vital Connections continues to sustain and support. The country is so bad that no one uses its currency any more. Rather they trade in Dollars or the neighboring countries currency. Our friends there are suffering and yet I get emails stating that they are pressing on in the midst of all the injustice and difficulty they face each day. Another former member of The Calling wrote a blog of his own about how important our trips are to our dear friends in Zimbabwe even if we don't feel like we are able to so all that much. Know that each of these trips is a cup of cold water to a country dying of thirst...and that my friends is worth whatever price...
Julie's Small Group at Youth Retreat - April 2007
In America we like to fix things, plan and then watch our plans work out, expect effeciency and results, and yet in Africa it is a whole different world. Schedules rarely work, plans always have to be adjusted...it is enough to drive a Westerner crazy. And yet, God loves Africa and the people of Africa. It truly is a different world with a different set of values then ours...some better, some not so. Most importantly though, on this trip there are hundreds of fellow followers of Jesus Christ who will be encouraged, prayed for, built up in their faith, and strengthened in their endurance of life they presently live and have no power to change.
As tumultuous a place as it is, Julie and I love Africa and having visited twice now, I can see that God loves and has richly blessed Africa as a land and people. Maybe this is why they find themselves always in the cross hairs of evil and so much turmoil. If you have a moment or two, pray for this present team, pray for Zimbabwe, and please pray for Africa.
Zimbabwe Team - April 2007Just like we did on our trip, this team will host weekend retreats for the youth of the area; they will visit the orphanages and feeding centers Vital Connections continues to sustain and support. The country is so bad that no one uses its currency any more. Rather they trade in Dollars or the neighboring countries currency. Our friends there are suffering and yet I get emails stating that they are pressing on in the midst of all the injustice and difficulty they face each day. Another former member of The Calling wrote a blog of his own about how important our trips are to our dear friends in Zimbabwe even if we don't feel like we are able to so all that much. Know that each of these trips is a cup of cold water to a country dying of thirst...and that my friends is worth whatever price...
Julie's Small Group at Youth Retreat - April 2007In America we like to fix things, plan and then watch our plans work out, expect effeciency and results, and yet in Africa it is a whole different world. Schedules rarely work, plans always have to be adjusted...it is enough to drive a Westerner crazy. And yet, God loves Africa and the people of Africa. It truly is a different world with a different set of values then ours...some better, some not so. Most importantly though, on this trip there are hundreds of fellow followers of Jesus Christ who will be encouraged, prayed for, built up in their faith, and strengthened in their endurance of life they presently live and have no power to change.
As tumultuous a place as it is, Julie and I love Africa and having visited twice now, I can see that God loves and has richly blessed Africa as a land and people. Maybe this is why they find themselves always in the cross hairs of evil and so much turmoil. If you have a moment or two, pray for this present team, pray for Zimbabwe, and please pray for Africa.
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