I want to share some about what has happened on this South Africa trip. When the urgency of getting Kathleen immediate treatment was given to me by Dr. Groesbeck Parham, a US obgyn surgeon working in Zambia, I was reluctant to take her to South Africa. I was afraid of a number of things. SA is known as a very dangerous city, we don't know anyone there, we wouldn't know where to stay or how to get around, and personally we didn't know any medical resources there. So, fearfulness on my part.

But God is sooo Awesome and tenderly considerate. Through Dr. Parham we received a referral to a Dutch surgeon who turned out to be terrific, highly skilled, caring, and personable. We were able to see him the very day (Thursday) we arrived. He did an ultrasound in his office and showed us what the problem was: at least two fibroids in the uterus. We hadn't gotten that clear a diagnosis in the U.S. One of the two hospitals that he operates at worked through the weekend and arranged for authorization from our Blue Cross/Blue Shield in The U.S. for him to operate on Monday. 

On Thursday, upon arrival we were headed from the airport to a Protea Hotel, arrived there, and our black taxi driver said, "Look around this area. It is too dangerous for whites. You will be a prisoner in the hotel, unable to go outside." I had the name of another hotel that had been recommended, but which had been booked up only an hour earlier. So, I tried calling them again and they gave us a room. It has been the perfect place for us. They have transported me back and forth to the hospital. The staff has been delightful and helpful; God gave us the perfect place to stay during what could have been a very, very difficult time. Kathleen and I have been very comfortably accommodated here. God's Grace has made wonderful, loving provision for us. He is so Good!!

Thanks for all of your prayers. At a time like this you never know what the outcome of major surgery might be.
Fear replaced again by God's tender Love,
Benedict