The desert has enjoyed a nice easy transition from Winter through Spring. Likewise, the inexorable movement and shift of time has brought growth and change in our own lives as well. The change from Winter to Spring here comes subtly and is often missed in the slowly advancing march of time from one day to the next. One day we turn around, and suddenly we have rounded a new corner and our outlook and circumstances have drastically changed before we’ve really noticed. But that is the surprise of life and the adventure we are on with God! There is always something new right around the corner!

There is a time for everything,
And a season for every activity under the heavens
Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV

NewSong: Desert Lighthouse

Sunday services are slowly plugging along with a very small core of people. We continue to trust the Lord to shift attitudes and ideas of what church can be in small community as we continue to step out in faith as God directs. We finished our study through the Gospel of Luke and have jumped right into the book of Acts. It has been exciting and inspiring to see the growing and changing ministry of Jesus and his disciples. Such rich heritage we have as believers!

Wednesday Wanderings continue to be a refreshing time of gathering in worship, discipleship, and encouraging ministry. Our studies and discussions are lively, and we are blessed by this great community and group of believers from several churches who want to grow together as we meet mid-week.

Both Catherine and I continue to minister one-on-one to our community. Catherine’s health has been more problematic lately (more details later in the family section), but she continues to minister with hope and love to the ladies that gather around her as much as she is able. I’m still meeting with a group of men every month and one-on-one with others regularly. We continue to sow seeds wherever we go, and we appreciate your prayers and support to make it all possible! If you are interested in connecting with us individually too, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Family News

I know it doesn’t come as a surprise to many of you that we have contended for many years with and for Catherine’s health. While we have rarely shared widely or publicly about the ups and downs over the years, it has been a difficult and challenging journey. Most of the time it has been a series of dead ends with no answers or vague, non-specific, or untreatable diagnoses. And for those that have been treatable, most of the treatments we’ve tried haven’t been effective. So, Catherine’s health continues to be a daily struggle, and we crave your help and your prayers, that would join us in praying for wisdom, guidance, answers, and healing.

Last week Catherine had a series of MRIs and we finally got a comprehensive, complete picture of her spine and nervous system. Some of what it showed we were aware of already, but it also showed us several significant new issues that may be at the root of many of Catherine’s current health challenges. We knew about scoliosis, some bone spurs, a few bulging disks, and compressed nerve canals all leading to constant neck and back pain and neuropathy in the extremities.

The most significant discovery was the presence of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and some lesions on her spinal cord. The CSF leak is the cause of constant chronic migraines, neck and shoulder pain, dizziness, nausea, changes in vision, and changes in cognition. The neurologist thinks the lesions may be a byproduct of the CSF leak for now. He recommends we get a myelogram (spinal CT with contrast) to locate the leak, and then we get a referral to a neurosurgeon at the Mayo Clinic or a specialist in California to treat the leak (which may include surgery with the risk of paralysis).

Needless to say, it’s been a challenging week wrestling with all this information and trying to come to grips with what comes next. Here are some things you can pray about with us. Catherine’s care needs have increased as her health has deteriorated and she has become mostly bedridden (80-90% of the time). She needs assistance bathing regularly and occasional help dressing. Her appetite is low and we struggle to get enough healthy nutrition in her diet. She has become more forgetful and has more days with cloudy or confused thinking than in the past. Also, the pain has only intensified as we keep having to jump through more hoops to get the diagnosis and treatment she needs.

All of these updates only include the new discoveries and not the small fiber neuropathy or gastrointestinal issues we are having to put on hold to deal with the CSF leak. Pray for wisdom for us and the doctors as we continue this journey to healing by God’s grace. Still, Catherine’s positive perspective, perseverance, and trust in the Lord through suffering is amazing and humbling to see. We just trust the Lord in all things.

---

We are so thankful for your love, support, prayers, and friendship. We are grateful to partner together with you in the upside-down kingdom work God is doing in our midst!

Please join us as we pray for

• wisdom for the next steps in ministry as we grow and learn
• healing for Catherine, period, whatever way God chooses to send it
• strength, wisdom, and resources for increasing medical needs and care

We’d love to hear how we can pray for you too!

We are still raising monthly support. If you would like to partner financially, here are some ways you can join us:

• Donate tax-deductable online by pressing the “Donate” button below or clicking here.
• Send tax-deductable donations by check. Make payable to Equipnet, write Equip3543 in the memo line, and mail to Equipnet, PO Box 860 Alamo, CA 94507

We love what God is doing in and through you as we partner together in this ministry! 

Be Blessed!
Jason and Catherine Anderson