My family asks that you pray for a close friend and his family at this time. Here is a recent email message from Robert Reagan that my dad forwarded to me. Robert Reagan and his family have been missionaries for a number of years in Thailand.
“I’m trying to set my house in order. Jan and I have had some serious
talks about the possibility of me going on to be with God in heaven.
The thing that helped me the most to prepare for this possibility was
sitting down in front of the video and making an hour-long video for
Erika (15) and Branson (12). I wanted to speak from my heart about
their future. I cried a lot and spoke passionately about the things
that really matter. After I was finished, I felt a sense of relief
that they would be in good hands with God.
I’m praying that God will have mercy on me and that I will come
through the operation and cancer and that God will extend my life. If
He chooses to extend my life, then this time will serve a great
reminder the rest of my life that when it looks like we are at the end
of our lives, everything becomes so much more clear for Jesus Christ.
Branson was at the hospital the first night I learned of the tumor(s)
in my pancreas. He saw my fear. He heard all the conversations about
how serious it is. He went home and cried a lot that night and was
kind of numb the next few days. Tonight I talked clearly to Branson
and Erika about the possibility of God taking me home to heaven. Erika
cried real hard. Afterward she came and sat on my lap and just clung
to me and cried. Then she kissed me on the cheek and went upstairs.
After that she went up to take a shower and for 15 minutes she just
wailed and cried, “No, no, no, no….” It was painful for me to hear,
but I know she needs to grieve in this way. Please keep Erika and
Branson in your prayers.
Jan is strong and is not showing much emotion. She’s a fighter and if
God takes me home, she’ll fight through it and hold our family
together.
One of my precious friends in the Lord in Singapore has worked
tirelessly to set up this whole surgery situation. His cousin is a
doctor at this hospital. His sister just had this same surgery last
month and is doing fine. God has bless me with a long-time
relationship with this brother and now he is fighting for my life. He
wouldn’t want me to mention his name, but most of you can figure out
who I’m talking about. Please praise God with me for him and so many
other awesome brethren that God has surrounded us with.
It’s overwhelming to see how God has place so many wonderful people in
our lives to help us at this time. There are prayers going up around
the world on my behalf. I’m praying for peace within. I want to
believe that heaven will be so much greater than life on this earth.
However, of course, my desire is to continue this life that God has
given me. I’m asking God to extend my life for 30 years, if he so
chooses to extend my life.
I will fly from Chiang Mai, Thailand to Singapore on Tuesday, Sept.
23, 2008. On Wednesday, Sept. 24 I will see the doctors there and
start doing lots of additional tests for a few days. Most likely I
will have surgery soon after that. We don’t want to announce a date
for the surgery because it depends on the tests and the doctors. I
will update everyone after the doctors make a decision.
Last night we made a decision that Jan, Erika and Branson would fly
down to join me in Singapore on Saturday, Sept. 26.
In the meantime, please ask others to pray for God to extend my life.
I’m begging him for 30 more years of service to Him here on this
earth. Maybe you can gather a small group of friends together and pray
about this.
My prayer for you is that you live a little closer to Jesus Christ
today. He is our most important relationship.
Love in Christ, Robert, Jan, Erika and Branson Reagan”