Clay Pots ~ Kidney Stones? Why now, Lord?

Last night Malachi complained about sharp abdominal pain a couple of times. Right before we went to bed he came and told us his pee was pink. We called the clinic and they asked us to take him to the nearest emergency room. We were there until 2am and then they sent us home to get some sleep and told us to return for further tests this morning. When we left the ER Malachi’s urine was mostly blood. However, all his blood and urine work came back with no infection and his vitals were doing great.

This morning after an ultrasound, x-ray, and more tests the doctor’s preliminary diagnosis is that Malachi, our little 5 year old, had a kidney stone! We are hoping/assuming that it has already passed but we will know for sure in the next couple of days. The doctor is running his findings through a specialist right now just to make sure, but we are thankful that everything else is fine. Even though our hearts are heavy with the knowledge of how severe and rare this is for a little guy and that this will be a frequent occurrence in his little life, there are also many things to be thankful for. We are so thankful that God brought this on now and not 5 days from now on some airplane in a different country! We are so thankful for doctors and hospitals. We are even thankful for hospital bills because it means we had a place to go!

I would say we are living out of our suitcase, but in reality everything is kind of strewn all over the place waiting it’s turn to be put in a suitcase. We had dear friends and family come and help us move and clean the last two days, and on Sunday we had an un-believable blessing happen! We went to visit one of our supporting churches in Baraboo and we stood up to ask for prayer concerning the many things we will be facing once we get back to the tribe (more to come on that). Well, as a family we had been praying for $2400.00 to pay for the flights back into the tribe. This was not a number or need which we had shared with the church. The church did an impromptu love offering for us at the end of the service, and do you want to guess how much we were sacrificially given? Yep, $2400.00!

We are convinced that God is working in the heart’s of His people and is in charge of all the little things in life, even kidney stones and mommy’s emotions!

Love,
Kellie for the family

Clay Pots ~ 2 weeks

Our Home in the Tribe (the one in the middle)
Williamsons live on the left and Mankins behind us to the right.
The Tobo village is on the hill from where the picture is being taken from.

When do you leave? In 2 weeks!

Do you have your plane tickets? Technically yes, in that the commercial airline tickets are paid off, but we still need money for the three flights it will take to get us and all our supplies back into the tribe. God, as always, is faithful and people have given towards this need… thank you for being sensitive to His leading! If God is prompting your heart to support us in this ministry, you can go to www.claypots.org and click on the “give towards our ministry” tab to see more info.

How long will you be gone? 4 years

Where are you going? Back to the isolated Tobo tribe of Papua New Guinea.

Why? To continue to disciple men who, in the future, will shepherd the church; and to continue the process of translating the Word of God and corresponding Bible lessons.

What are you taking with you? 10 suitcases in which we are in the process of trying to stuff 4 years worth of everything! We have about 8 small boxes of books and things (i.e. chocolateJ) which we just can’t fit… so if you are interested in helping us out and mailing a package, we would love it if you sent one of these boxes for us! They are already packed and would cost approx. $40.00 to send one box for us.

What about your house here and can we see you before you leave? We have been renting half of a duplex and our lease ends the end of July. We are storing some of our possessions for when we return again, but the rest we are selling. So please come to our garage sale July 23-25th. In addition, we will be attending Walnut Hill Bible Church in Baraboo next week and then Waukesha Bible Church the week after that. We would love to see you there as well!

Are you ready to go? Jason and the kiddos would answer with a hearty “yes”. Jason is anxious to get back to continue discipling the believers and the kiddos can’t wait to have the rain forest as their back yard again and see their dear friends. As for me, well my feet are ready with obedience and I have peace about going back, it is just my nasty flesh that is taking a little longer to catch up. I am excited to see what God is going to do in the next 4 years, not only in the lives of the Tobo people, but also in our lives and yours as well!

His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, & Malachi Knapp

Clay Pots ~ Prayer Request

Visiting our friends, Scott and Lina Sutton

Jason and Amy Miller, missionary pilot, 9 years later we meet back at our old apartments.

We have just recently returned home (for a few days) from our travels. We were greatly encouraged by our time in both Nebraska and Missouri. Although it has been over a week since we visited our friends and attended the conference, the late night chats, the encouraging and convicting sermons, and the good fellowship with fellow missionaries is still buzzing in our ears. It was so good to catch up with old friends and to meet new ones; people who are committed and faithful servants of Jesus Christ. We heard amazing stories of people who had been through deep waters only to surface with a greater love for their Savior, Jesus. Wow, what a testimony to us to persevere! The past few weeks have been a real shot in the arm as we prepare to head back overseas.

On a somber note, we would like to ask for your prayers on behalf of our co-workers, Chad and Janeene Mankins. They had to return to the States about 3 weeks ago because Chad was having some medical issues. This is their latest email:

After conducting some more tests, the doctor found a small tumor in Chad’s bladder which he said looked like the beginnings of a malignant tumor. He wants to surgically remove the tumor on Wednesday, July 1st, then we will wait for the pathology report.

Interestingly enough, he also said that he could see no apparent link between this tumor and Chad’s pain.

So as you can see, we are still looking for more answers. But at this point, if nothing else, we can see God’s gracious hand at work in showing us this tumor so quickly. He has also been our Rock during these times of uncertainty and suffering. Many of you have sent emails expressing your love and prayer support of us. Thank you. We would also ask you to continue lifting us up as a family before our Father.

Please pray for Chad’s upcoming surgery tomorrow, that the Great Physician will heal him completely so that we can see him back in the tribe very soon. As a family, pray that the Lord would encourage their hearts and strengthen their faith during these times of uncertainty. Also, be praying for our other co-workers, Jason and Nisae Williamson, as they ‘hold down the fort’ in Tobo for the time being.

His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp

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