Mom - the latest

This email in from my dad today:

As most of you know, Charline appears to be coming to the end of a long battle with cancer. Her liver has now been affected and is not functioning. Consequently she is suffering from various unpleasant symptoms, but fortunately without pain. She is getting weaker and more and more tired. Eventually she will just fall asleep and not wake up. This could happen within the next few days, or it could be a week or two. She is being well cared for in Sydney Adventist Hospital.

Many kind friends have donated money to make it possible for Charline's sister, Desiree, to come and spend time with her. Des is a nurse and a wonderful carer. The only problem is that she didn't have a current South African passport. We hope that this will be finalised today so that she can then get an Australian visa and come in time for the two of them to spend good sister time with each other, as well as having Des here to care for Charline at home, if at all possible. Charline would love to be amongst the surroundings she has created to make home special.

Thank you too for caring enough to keep us in your prayers. Specifically, I would like to ask you to pray right now for the opening of the way for Desiree to come in time; for my church, Fox Valley, who are walking this rough road with me; and for my children who have to suffer these moments from afar.

I am grateful that Charline is truly a beautiful child of God, resting in the absolute assurance of being saved by His grace. Her life has touched thousands, and wherever it has touched it has left beauty behind. Thank you for returning her love with love.

I will keep you informed about her condition at significant points.
Thanks again my friends and my family.
Garth Bainbridge

Although he doesn't say it, this is wearing him down tremendously. He's being the strong one, trying to bear up under the pressure, doing the organizing and planning - but he's losing his soul-mate and none of us see the part of him that's hurting so badly. Please keep him in your prayers, and thanks for remembering the rest of us too.