Becca's Place

This is from my friend, Donna Smith, a missionary teacher in Papua/New Guinea. Please remember to pray for her and her family.
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Hi there, friends-who-pray,
Here is an update about my mom, Anne Smith. Mom successfully had surgery to remove a section of her bowl, including a colon cancer the size of a ping-pong ball, her appendix, and other bits. She recovered in the hospital for less than a week, and is now eating normal food, though resting more than usual. The bleeding ulcers are being treated with medication. She found out that she has a third thing wrong with her digestive system: celiac disease, the inability of the intestine to handle gluten (a protein in wheat and other grains). Eating gluten has damaged her intestine so she can't absorb nutrients normally--hence the anaemia. A gluten free diet and lots of time (months or years) will repair the damage. Mom returns to Australia in a few months for a check up.

Mom and Dad leave Australia on Sunday, overnight in Port Moresby and fly SIL to Ukarumpa on Monday morning. I'm relieved at the outcome--though Mom is bummed at the thought of a gluten free life!--and we all are so thankful for the successful outcome of the surgery and for all your prayers. God has been merciful to us.

love,
Donna
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Donna Smith
Ukarumpa International School
Papua New Guinea