Prayer Request

*Update #2: Good news! (excerpts from Diane's email)
Charly has gone 24 hours without a fever, for the 1st time in over 10 days! No more infection has been found since last night; but he has been left with skin only on the back of his calf on the leg where the infection started. Bottom line: He is still in danger of losing his leg. He is still in danger of losing his life! But his chances of surviving this with his leg are much better than they were yesterday!

We are praising God fervently!!

Please continue to pray for Charly's health: physical and emotional. He has a very long road to recovery ahead of him with some tough decisions to make (or accept: possible medical discharge). The tentative timeline: 1-2 weeks of continually cleaning out all new tissue that grows. Begin skin grafts. Five days of complete bed rest to heal. One to two months of rehab and home for at least month.

Diane's mom is still hoping to be able to fly to see him. Please continue to pray for wisdom and discernment for her. We love this family so much, and know that God is and continuing to bless them even through this difficult time. Thank you for your sweet prayers!

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*Update: Charly is now in stable condition! His family is currently trying to make the difficult decision whether or not to travel to be with him.

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My best friend (since 2nd grade) Diane emailed us a few days ago with a urgent prayer request. Her step brother Charly, who is stationed in Korea with the Army, was rushed to a hospital in Seoul with an extreme infection in his leg. What started as a minor injury, rapidly progressed into what the doctors originally called cellulitis. Only days later, he was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, what those of us not in the medical field know as "flesh-eating bacteria." And only days later, he has had no less than 10 surgeries to remove leg skin and tissue infected with this bacteria. What started on the lower portion of his leg, has spread down to his foot and up to his upper thigh. The doctors are consulting with specialists in Hawaii but believe it best to have him remain in Seoul and receive his care there, where they are desperately trying to save his leg.

Diane's mother and her husband are frantically trying to decide whether to travel to Korea or not. The contacted the Red Cross, who originally seemed to be willing to help them; only to find out today that the Red Cross doesn't give assistance unless the ill individual is dying. While the doctors have deemed it life-threatening, he is not dying! (which is a blessing in and of itself!) Jobs have to be considered. Financial aspects have to be considered. But most importantly, what's best for this young man has to be considered!

So, please pray for Charly, who is only 20 years old and half way around the world with a life-threatening illness. Please pray for the doctors, for their wisdom and discernment. Please pray for Charly's family, for peace, clarity of mind, deciding whether or not to travel to Korea, and safe travel if they decide to go be with him.

Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."