Greetings in Jesus.

​We want to thank you for your prayers.  

We have decided to keep family, friends and prayer partners updated through our normal eUpdate list.  We are very grateful for the many who have expressed their blessings and prayers and we are trusting in our Lord that He is preparing to teach us many lessons in the next months.  

This next phase of the cancer treatment is going to take several weeks to get everything organized.   Today we met with the IR doctor (Interventional Radiology).  They were very clear in their explanations and of course talked about several outcomes and ways the treatment may progress.  However, for the most part we felt that that the IR doctor was very encouraging and felt that things would progress positively.  The next steps and time frames are:

• Getting approvals for the Y90 treatments from insurance. This can take 1 to 3 weeks, but we hope it will be the shorter time frame. 
• Once insurance approves, they will do a procedure to map the blood vessels of the cancer and through that process will be able to calculate the dose of the radiation needed.  This is an outpatient procedure.
• About two weeks after the mapping procedure, they would do the actual procedure to implant the Y90 / Radioactive pellets into the cancer.  Also an outpatient procedure. 
• The following two weeks after the implantation, they would expect that there is some limited side effects the most common being tiredness, so they usually suggest a schedule that takes that into account.
• One month after the treatment, there would be an appointment to check on general wellness and to talk about any issues that have come up because of the treatment and this will include blood tests checking on liver functions and other indicators. 
• Then, at three months after the one month appointment, there would be another CT Scan to analyze how the radiation is affecting the cancer.   We are projecting out that this would bring us to about the end of June, when we would be getting some idea of how effective the treatment has been and rework options going forward from there.

During the three months while the treatment is in the liver, the doctor said that there is not normally any limitations.  He also indicated that the treatment can be repeated and most likely will be in Eric's case.

We are waiting on reworking plans and schedules related to ministry in Mexico and we will plan to remain in Indy until the treatment is done and we are sure there is no significant side effects. 

Again, we are grateful to so many who have expressed their blessings and are keeping us bathed in prayer.  

Love always,

Eric & Dee

As 2021 came in with hopes and challenges, so does it end.
2021 saw, the first year anniversary with our newest IMPACTO church,
​El Ancla (The Anchor Church), has grown to reach close to 70 at Sunday worship.  Amazing! For a church that began online during the pandemic. They jumped over many hurdles including shepherding members from virtual meetings to in-person church and after a few more months opening Ancla Kids, the children’s area. We enjoyed being present for the 9 baptisms at the Anniversary service.

La Viña Church, which is our home church when in Mexico, was the IMPACTO'S first church plant in Queretaro. It has been a joy for us to experience as we see them maturing into a unified team with clear goals and purposes for the upcoming year. Challenges persists for them as they want to reach a new goal for multiplying and growing during this still difficult time.

December and January permitted us to join with these church leaders in their yearly evaluations and planning retreats. God is moving in big ways and he allows us to share in these special times as mentors.

We also want to let you know that New International continues to grow and reach more and more communities around the world. We are so proud to be a part of this professional mission group. Tell you more about that in the next update!

​We praise God for you all, who have made our ministry possible!

COMING EVENTS:
-Jan. 12 / Appointment with Radiology to set up treatments for Eric's tumor.
-First few Days of February / We are projecting that the operation will be done to implant the radiation treatment in the tumor.
-Mid-February / We hope to return to Mexico.
-March 6-12 / Regional Director's meetings in Fort Myers at the offices of New International.
-April 12 / We would return to INDY for an appointment with the Liver Specialist.

Prayer Request:
-We ask that you keep us in your prayers as Eric begins treatment.  The Specialist has indicated that the radiation treatment could shrink and even "disappear" the cancer completely.  We are praying for just that!   
-We also ask that you be praying that we can keep this challenge in perspective and that we will have the energy and focus to continue ministering effectively.