God Pays Bills.
The Lord Almighty is faithful in the details.
One year ago, March 2005, Jeremy had a stomach surgery to tighten his esophagus and pull his stomach back down into his tummy. Incessant heartburn, acid reflux and general discomfort were the main signs of this problem. The doctors said with the degree of acid reflux he was experiencing, the likelihood of him developing esophageal cancer by age 40 were in the dangerous range. Our current insurance company declared the condition to be “pre-existing” (we all know what insurance is like). Therefore, they refused to pay for the procedure. Do to the delicate nature of the procedure which was done laparoscopic (6 tiny cuts and no big hole) and the location of the surrounding major organs, the doctors here in Nicaragua, at the best hospital, strongly recommended Jeremy to see a specialist in the USA. After much pain and deliberation the date was set for 2 weeks before Luke was born. Yeah, not a great idea. In Corpus Christi, Texas where we went to my mother’s house to have Luke. No, thank you, I did not want Granny to deliver the baby in the jungle.
The surgery went well. The recovery was a test of discipline for Jeremy who eats too big a portion. He learned to eat smaller portions more often. He felt like an infant, eating as often as Luke! As the bills rolled in, the numbers went up. The total came to a whopping $24,626.06.
In December 2005, Jeremy went in person to the offices of the anesthesiologist, doctor and the hospital. Knowing that Jeremy was paying himself (not insurance) and that he was willing to pay a good portion of the bill right then, the doctor and his assistant went from $5,552.00 to $800.00. Which was paid in full on the spot. The doctor did know about our job as missionaries in the jungles of Nicaragua. Praise the Lord. And the Anesthesiologist went from $1,170.00 to $585.00 because we were paying ourselves (not insurance). That was also paid on the spot. Praise the Lord. Now all we had was the hospital, $17,904.06. We started payments of $100 each month and filled out a financial aid form at the hospital. We placed our burden at the feet of Jesus and left it there. Praise God for his faithfulness.
Last month, May 2006, Jeremy thought about the bill and the financial aid form and called the hospital. The nice lady on the other end of the line said: “Your bill has been taken care of. And we are sending you a check for $400, please do not send us any more checks….no, sir, there is no notification to the patient when your financial aid has been accepted.”
The shock is still overwhelming. We are missionaries, we don’t make money. However, GOD PROVIDES. Thank you all who helped financially and in prayer during this journey of faith.
We will never understand His ways but if we trust in HIM and obey….the blessings are astounding.
Prayerfully in His path
