Please pray for our IS partner in the Emerald Hills project, Rick Starr. Here is his e-mail from today:
Where do I begin….The news was not what we wanted to hear today. But we are still thanking God and I am still standing on Mark 5:46, “do not be afraid, only believe.” In my prayer time this morning I also added, “help me overcome my unbelief.”
The neurologist appointment today said that he was going to have 3 other doctors that he works with at Baptist East look at the MRI’s. He told us in his opinion that it is a “glioma tumor” and that it would have to be removed. But since it is in the inner temporal lobe of my brain, which controls speech, that I would have to go to a specialist to have it removed. A surgeon that would operate while I am awake! (Doesn’t that sound like fun!) That way they would be able to tell what parts of my brain control my speech. Very important to have my speech since I am a preacher and teacher, I need that ability. He wants me to go to Cincinnati, Ohio for the surgery. He is suppose to call me tomorrow after the other doctors read the MRI’s and gets their opinion.
He then said he wants me to meet with the neurologist and neurosurgeon from Cincinnati this week if he can get me an appointment. They would then set the date for the surgery if they agree with the diagnosis. It might be needful for me to go into the hospital a few days before the surgery so they could run some more test. Surgery recovery in the hospital would take 4 to 6 days and then 8 to 12 weeks at home. (sounds like some good reading time to me) Then after that radiation and possibility of chemotherapy.
All this was a more than I was prepared to hear! I am still having a hard time trying to put my mind around it all. I have truly come to believe that it is a spiritual attack of the enemy in the physical realm. There is so much to be done at Emerald Hills and Spencer Christian. I have not seen the dream that God gave me fulfilled with the Retreat Center and God continues to bless Spencer Christian weekly with new decisions and growth. I know we must fight this battle with faith. Please continue to come along side our family and friends as we fight this spiritual battle for the Lord.
There are so many of you that I want to call and talk to personally but I just do not have the words right now. Please forgive me for not calling personally. I do love each and every one of you and thank you for standing with us in faith and prayer. I know you did not want to hear this way, but I needed to get the message out and this was the quickest and easiest way that I could think of so that the message did not get confused. Once again, thank for your prayers to this point and we ask that you continue to pray. I AM A PREACHER…I AM A TEACHER…that is my Spiritual Gift and I ask that you pray that I will continue to be able to honor God by using those gifts for His glory.
Serving God With You…
Rick L. Starr
23 Carter Ct.
Taylorsville, KY 40071
502.477.1591
"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2 NIV