Project North Africa

I got this email today from Mark Coffey:

Ethan has lost a four inch section of his bone from the knee to the ankle. It blew out a round section. They will have to cut the bone. His leg would be about 2 inches shorter. The family has not made a decision and they do not have to make a decision yet. They will have to transfer muscle and artery from other parts of the body. His leg would be two inches shorter but they would do things to try and grow it. He will probably never be able to pick up his toes. He will have to pick up foot higher or sling leg when he walks. They have to consider that he will go through all of this and maybe still have to amputate it.

His life is no longer in danger. He is stable right now and not in critical condition. He is groggy from the drugs etc. I and others have talked to Ethan. They have two hard decisions to make or choose from. Sometimes what they do will not work and you have taken muscles from abdomen and back. So the solution could end up causing other trouble and still lose the leg. The surgeon will come and talk tonight. This will be a plastic surgeon is coming. He is more detailed and will be able to help them know more about what might be best. Another problem that can be caused is getting staff infections.

I still ask you to be praying for the Howeth’s financial situation and I will be keeping you posted on what you need to know to help them. Tony talked to Ethan this morning about the fact that he might lose his leg. It hit him hard as to the reality of it. Ethan is on a roller coaster as is all the family. Seth needs prayer as well. He seems to be doing well but is really hurting. Seeing Ethan really hurts him obviously.

Why don’t you find Ethan on facebook by searching Ethan Howeth and sending him a word of encouragement. Let him know he has thousands of friends around the world who are praying for him.

Ethan is the son of Tony, a preacher friend of mine. Ethan was shot with a .308 deer rifle in the lower left leg. He has been in critical condition though he is much more stable now. He has now received more than 8 units of blood.

Last night the doctor said that blood flow is still good. There are 3 arteries that serve the leg. Ethan only has two arteries from birth. So he only has two arteries one is bad and is good. Blood flow keeps the antibiotics to the tissue and fights infection.

They are waiting to see the doctor to see the results of the angiogram. This is an xray of the vascular system in his leg.

His leg is still super serious and we do not know if they will be able to save it or not.

Please pray for Ethan and his family. I’ll keep you updated.

It’s sometimes difficult to recognize a real hero. Heros never brag about being heros. In Christ’s upside down (turns us rightside up) definition of heros it’s the last who will be first and the smallest who will be greatest. That can make it, therefore, difficult to distinguish who will be great in heaven.

Other times it’s obvious like it was for me tonight. An older gentleman emailed me out of the blue and told me he was coming to my country. He called earlier this week and I helped him get a hotel in the capital and invited him to come up here and speak tonight since he said he speaks Arabic. I met him at the hotel today before our Bible study and it became apprent to me that I was in the presence of someone who deserved much honor but expects none.

Richard grew up in Nebraska. It wasn’t long after the second World War was over that a missionary with the North African Misison came to speak at his church. As Richard was going out the door that day this missionary pointed at him and said, “What will you do with your life for God?” Richard responded, “I was thinking about being a missionary to Latin America.” “Why don’t you go to the Muslims?” was the argument from the young missionary. From there God set his path toward North Africa.

In 1958 Richard arrived single and 27 years old to North Africa. He learned French and Arabic. He lived 10 years in Alg@ria before being kicked out “for making too many converts”. From there he moved to M@rocco where he started a church in the capital. He has now spent the last 20 years ministering in France and coming in and out of North Africa to minister at least twice per year.

He is retired now and at 77 still traveling around by himself in North Africa to come and preach in our little Wednesday night Bible study. He taught tonight against the modern use tounges and the Charasmatic movement and did a great job. We were all blown away by his dedication. He is consumed with a passion for Jesus’ glory in Muslim countries. Most 77 year old checked out 20 years ago and went somewhere to hybernate until they die. He’s still going strong!

Tomorrow he’ll be teaching about the Holy Spirit to all of us for 3 hours in Arabic. Did I mention he’s 77?!