2007 July » Jarretts Ministry

We are long overdue in sending an update; in this case, no news IS good news. Marty improves and gains strength every day. We’ve had an excellent report from the doctor, and, just as importantly, Marty looks and feels better. She’s resumed most of her normal activities [including cooking for 33 family members] although the numbness in her fingers interferes with a few things. She still requires a 25 microgram pain patch every other day.
This letter will provide a brief summary of our adventure with impressions from both of us. I’ll report our fall schedule as well as plans for Tenwek. I also want to bring you up to date on the orphan projects.
In early December, 2006, Marty began complaining of pain in her right side. I was shocked to feel her liver was greatly enlarged. Tests showed the liver was more than twice its normal size because it contained many large cancer growthsâ€”more than could be counted. The cancer had started from a tiny spot in her breastâ€”no larger than a garbanzo bean. From the viewpoint of a medical doctor, I doubted that she had more than six months to live. However, I was very careful not to show any emotion to Marty that would express my deep concern. In fact, not until today did I reveal my true feelings to her when she asked me point blank if I though back in December that she was going to die. God is still in the business of doing miracles.
A biopsy showed the cancer to be invasive ductal carcinoma, poorly differentiated, Grade 3. With liver metastases the tumor was stage 4. Estrogen receptors were positive. Translated into layman’s terms: an aggressive, advanced breast cancer that might be responsive to hormonal treatment.
Marty underwent eight intravenous chemotherapy sessions at two-week intervals with combined Adriamycin and Cytoxin for two months followed by Taxol for two months. After these treatments, she began taking a Femara tablet every day; this is a newer anti-estrogen hormonal treatment. We were able to track the progress of her therapy with radiological studies as well as a blood test, CA2729â€”an antigen specifically associated with her cancer. Before treatment, the level was over 5,000; the normal range is 0 â€“ 38. At the end of the intravenous treatment, the level was down to 134. A month after beginning the Femara, it dropped to 62. In May, Marty had a brief surgery to remove the small cancer from the breast where her problems started. The CA2729 level is now 21.9â€”right in the middle of the normal range! Praise God for this miracle.
Now, after chemotherapy and surgery, all visible cancer has disappeared. Medically, I would say that the cancer is â€œcontrolledâ€ or â€œin remissionâ€â€”although it’s very tempting, I won’t use the word â€œcuredâ€ yet. It’s also tempting to credit this outstanding success to advances in modern medical treatment; on the contrary, we give all the glory to God, Who is the ultimate Healer and Giver of wisdom.

Marty’s testimony:
Back in December when Paul came to the waiting room after viewing my scans with the radiologist, he told me I was very sick. The tests showed my liver was full of cancer tumors. I had only one thought â€“ â€œWhat is the purpose for my life?â€ The answer God has shown me over the years is this: â€œTo enjoy God and glorify Him forever.â€ In the midst of my stunned emotions, all I could say was â€œMay Your will be done, Lord. Please give me Your grace to endure whatever plans You have for me.â€
Later that week as I was reading in the first chapter of Philippians, I came across a promise from God in verses 18-26. I was well aware of the earlier part of the passage [vs. 21-23] but the last part really caught my attention for the first time [vs. 24-26]. â€œI will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.â€
I sensed God giving me assurance that He planned to heal me at this time as He was not finished yet with my service for Him. I shared this with our children amidst many tears of joy from all of us.
Through the next five months of intense pain, God kept reminding me of a special truth: He loves me and is with me every moment. I sensed His Hands and Heart at work through the outpouring of love all around me â€“ E-mails and cards of encouragement from all over the world and gifts, meals, flowers, music, and special blankets from caring people showing me the love of God.
God’s people all over the world have prayed for me, and I thank Him for His healing touch on my body. One of my doctors called my response to treatment â€œmiraculousâ€ when he saw my test results showing a liver free of tumors. Another doctor said he sees good results from this treatment but not usually like the success of mine. To God be the glory.
One of the most meaningful passages of scripture God lead me to was 1Peter 4:12-13,16. Verse 13 stood out to me as a reminder of God’s purpose for my life â€“ to bring Him glory. â€œDear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.â€ As God promises, I can be glad with exceeding joy as He is glorified through my suffering and testimony.
Finally, I want to testify how faithful the Lord has been to prepare me for this trial. I remember sharing with our Tenwek church family last year the importance of praise. During that Sunday focusing on prayer, I mentioned that praise focuses our hearts and minds on the character of God. Many days during my months of treatment when I felt like dying, all I could do was praise God because of His character â€“ knowing His faithfulness, sovereignty, and unchangeable nature. I also remember sharing Psalm 22:3 which tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. â€œYet You are enthroned as the Holy One; You are the Praise of Israel.â€ Because of that precious truth, I could praise God and sense His presence with me even during the dark moments.
I had also spent the previous year reading through â€œ31 Days of Praiseâ€ which filled me with so many uplifting truths and treasured scriptures to recall as God lead me through this challenge. God has a special way of preparing and enabling us to go through stormsâ€”always with Him at our side. I praise God for who He is and for what He is doing in my life. Now I can also praise Him most mornings that I wake up feeling good! Thank you, Lord! May He be glorified in my life and yours as we live for Him. I thank the Lord for all your faithful prayers. There is power in prayer as it goes before the very throne of God. Revelation 5:8 makes the importance of prayer vividly clear: â€œwhen he [Jesus, the Lamb of God] had taken it [the scroll], the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.â€ Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

Many have asked how we are doing with finances. Through God’s provision and the loving support of so many friends, all of our needs have been met. We still have funds in our account that will allow us to plan a return to Kenya. We have been overwhelmed with your generosity and love.
Ministry support can be sent to World Medical Mission, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. Be sure to include our account #2355 on the check.
Since my retirement from private practice in 2000, I haven’t worked in American medicine other than volunteering at local clinics for low-income and homeless people. Since I’ve earned no significant income during that interval, I decided to apply for early retirement benefits from Social Security; my 62nd birthday is August 17. That should certainly help with some of our expenses at home. Until further notice, personal support may still be sent: Checks payable to and send to: Christian Foundation of Indiana, 8445 Keystone Crossing Blvd, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Indicate for Jarretts personal support on a separate piece of paper.
Marty and I are hoping to return as a family to Tenwek in mid-January pending Marty’s PET\CAT scan and doctor’s appointment on October 23rd. Rachel would go with us. Amy will graduate in December and might accompany us before looking for a position in missions using her athletic training degree. Laura will come home from Japan in October but hopes to return there in January, as she now has a 3-year visa. Alicia may also go back to Japan in November for long-term ministry; she returns from a short-term mission there July 31st.
We have a trip to South Carolina at the end of August and perhaps a brief trip to Williamsburg with the Jon Jarrett grandkids. After Labor Day, I plan on going to Kenya for a month by myself. I really will covet your prayers as I leave Marty for a month, although she is very supportive of my going at this time.
Even before Marty became ill, we knew that we would be living in a different house at Tenwek sometime after we returned. When the severity of Marty’s illness became known, the other missionaries had a difficult and sad, funeral-like house-cleaning; therefore many of our belongings have been re-distributed. Whereas this was necessary and understandable, it leaves many questions about our ability to minister in all of the same ways as in the past. For example, it will be much more difficult to entertain a large number of short-term guests if we have a very small apartment-size kitchen with none of the usual cooking supplies. The housing committee will soon meet to determine where we’ll live. Please pray for wisdom and God’s leading.
Many of Marty’s teaching materials for children were given out to local churches. We know the Lord had special plans for the use of those materials where needed. If possible, I would like to survey the situation and determine what kind of things we’ll need to replace when we return. Please pray that we’ll find the materials that God wants us to use.
This spring and summer we’ve had visits from five Tenwek missionary families or individuals. Along with the various monthly letters and personal correspondence, we feel like we’re not totally disconnected from Tenwek. It’s never been out of our hearts even though out of sight.
The hospital is suffering from the loss of several staff personnel for a variety of reasons. This translates into a lot of work for those who remain. The OB dept. hasn’t had an American missionary doctor since December other than a two-week visit by Dr. Brian Myers. Since some of the long-term doctors have left or are on furlough, each of the departments except surgery is undermanned. I’m certain our over-worked national staff would appreciate some assistance.
Kenyan Presidential and Parliamentary elections will be held in December. Election years typically are characterized by social upheaval and violence, which has increased for other reasons as well. It has been increasingly difficult for missionaries to get work permits in a timely manner. In September I hope to renew my work permit, re-entry permits for the family, and alien registration to ease our workload of paperwork upon our return in January. I already have my 2007 medical license. Please pray for success in these endeavors if that is God’s plan for us.
Reports on our orphan projects have been encouraging. All of our recent money transfers have been successful. We sent enough support to cover almost all of school fees for the second term. Our missionary friends, Chuck and Amy Bemm, are helping to make up the difference. They now support a large number of orphans in school as well with assistance from their supporters. There are some outstanding medical bills for some of the children, and the final installment of school fees will be due in September. Please pray for God’s provision.
Another ministry change involves our Bible distribution ministry. Previously, we’ve been able to mail used Bibles through the USPS at $1.00 per pound. They have discontinued this surface-mail rate and are sending only airmail at $3.95 per pound. We must reassess these cost figures, but it appears that it may be cheaper to buy Bibles in Kenya in the local language. Pray for wisdom for us in making decisions regarding that important ministry. It’s so important that Christians have God’s Word to read for themselves.
Each of the four children’s homes had good reports. It is a time of year when the maturing of the corn crop is anxiously awaited; the Bemms bought some rice to help tide the orphans over until the maize is ready. I’m very eager to visit each of the homes. I think I’ll be able to hire a driver and/or my old car. We had to let our faithful Pajero go when we learned of Marty’s illness, but it was purchased by a local driver whom we know.
All orphan support can be sent to:
Check mailed to and payable to: Outreach Christian Fellowship
PO Box 7637
Tyler TX 75711
Tel: 903-592-2358
It is important to identify the donations on a separate piece of paper for the account of Paul Jarrett. Specific project donations, if desired, may also be designated. Do not write anything in the memo line of the check. All accumulated money will be transferred by wire at the beginning of each month. OCF will charge only a 5% handling fee.

Just after my return in October, we’ll drive back to North Carolina for the Prescription for Renewal meeting of World Medical Mission. Each year we attend to encourage others to try foreign medical mission trips.
I have two speaking engagements during October giving my abortion-related testimony to pro-life groups. One is in Los Angeles and the other in Indianapolis. There is always spiritual warfare in conjunction with these talks as well as during my solo trips abroad; please pray for the protection of my family during these times.
In November, my father plans to take Marty, Rachel, and me on a Hawaiian cruise. This has always been Marty’s dream vacation, but we doubted it would ever happen. Although Dad at age 89 is now requiring oxygen to walk more than a short distance, he still plans to travel as long as he is able. [He's received hospital treatment on several continents â€“ I wonder if I inherited the travel bug.]
Many of you have asked about my book; I’m not ready to take orders yet (>: but hope to submit it for publication very soon. The proofreaders have weighed in, and I’m reviewing it as a â€œcoldâ€ document not having read it for more than two months. Now even I’m finding errors that I skipped past while working on it previously.
Simply saying â€œthank youâ€ for your prayers and support during the past 8 months hardly seems adequate. I am certain you know how important we believe your prayers are and have been on our behalf. We have been â€œoverwhelmedâ€ with your love, prayers, and support. We have witnessed a truly miraculous resurrection of health in Marty’s body. We have witnessed again and again God’s answers to your prayers. We thank you, and we thank God for you.

Serving Jesus with you,

Paul and Marty, for the Jarretts in Indiana and Japan

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Tue 3 Jul 2007

Orphan Contributions

Posted by paulejr under Uncategorized
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At this time, please send all support for the orphans to our new ministry partner, Outreach Christian Fellowship.
Check mailed to and payable to: Outreach Christian Fellowship
PO Box 7637
Tyler TX 75711
Tel: 903-592-2358
Donors are to mark on a separate piece of paper that the donations are for the account of Paul Jarrett. Although they use my name on the account designation, none of these funds marked with my name go to me; these funds will be sent to the Tenwek Education Fund. You may also include the â€œsub-designationsâ€ of specific projects in the instructions. We will sort those out when we send the wire transfers, probably on a monthly basis. Outreach Christian Fellowship will take 5% for administrative fees, which is reasonable since they have a full-time employee handling these and other funds; you should receive a receipt suitable for tax purposes in a timely manner.
You can visit their website at: http://www.outreachcf.org/ For those of you who visit our website at http://jarrettsministry.org for our updates, please do not leave comments on the website as personal messages. Our website gets hit daily with spam messages, usually from pornographic sources. I must delete all messages every few days to keep the website functioning but am unable to read all the messages; therefore, your kind messages are being deleted unread along with the unkind messages, which far outnumber yours.
You can send personal messages to our e-mail address at pauljar@gmail.com I have a spam filter on this account that automatically deletes the 100 or more spam messages that it receives daily.

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Jarretts Ministry

Archive for July, 2007

Correction on the amount of rice We were off by a ton

Change in Contribution Information from the Jarretts

Did you receive the Marty Jarrett update sent out yesterday

Jarretts Prayer Letter July 2007

Orphan Contributions

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