A word of explanation about the absence of blogs for some weeks! – It’s not that I’ve been lazy, but there’s an incredibly valid reason I’d really appreciate your prayers for.

You doubtless know (unless you’ve been in hibernation for 15 years!) that I’ve got bad knees. Osteoarthritis to be precise, which began when I fell over, 19 years ago, while running to cross a very wide road, on a red traffic light in Cali, Colombia, with a taxi coming at me at about 100 kmh! My right knee ‘popped’ – I did think ‘oh-oh’ as I wanted to scream with the pain, and then in true ‘male’ style, thought ‘I can walk that off’….. I didn’t walk it off, put more pressure on my left leg, that one became extremely painful too, and the rest is history!

I’m under the main orthopaedic hospital in Belfast, and about every 2 years, I’m summoned to see a Consultant, who as always, looks at the x-rays and says ‘Your knees are in a mess!’ (I don’t really need telling!), come back in 2 years…. I got my summons for 18 January this year (I don’t know if there’s any significance in the fact the 18th January is an anniversary day for me – this year the 18th was the 49th year since my last ever salary payment from the bank I used to work for: I’ve not ‘earned’ since that year God called me into full-time ministry).

Most of you who read here regularly know, too, that God has been teaching me to rest, which I’m still trying to learn. There were things in my diary – Colombia, Romania (twice), France (at that time), plus churches in Northern Ireland, England, and Wales.

Walking wasn’t easy because of pain, but I got around ok, even if slower than I’d prefer, people who travel with me, and go places with me, will tell you that walking wasn’t a major issue – apart from stairs! I saw the Ortho consultant on 18th Jan, but it wasn’t the ‘usual’ one, who’s been very nice, and has, when I’ve needed it, ‘upped’ the pain medication. This time it was a different man: also nice, but not one that filled you with confidence….

Having looked at the x-rays, and telling me I must be in a lot of pain, he then did something unreal… he took hold of my right foot (right knee is the worst one) on the palm of his hand, and his left-hand flat against the side of my right knee…. then he pulled my foot towards him and pushed my knee away from him. I didn’t scream but stifled my reaction. I told him if he planned to do that to my left leg, then he wouldn’t mind if I broke his nose, would he? The knee isn’t designed to go where he pushed it. For 4 days I couldn’t walk at all, I had to go to the kitchen (about 20 feet from my armchair) like a snake, on my stomach. Four months since then, I’ve been out of my house less than 20 times, and getting u and downstairs in this house is virtually impossible.

So there have been no blogs as I haven’t (not by choice!) done a great deal – I’m going to Colombia this coming Sunday, which will be an interesting exercise! I’m seeing my GP to talk about reporting the case to the local Health Trust, and also a Medical lawyer, as it’s evident that the doctor has wrecked my knee…..

….unless God heals my knees in Cali! I’m still believing that he can….!!

After Colombia, I’m going to try  and keep up and running – Romania, Colombia with Thanney and others to start building another kids house, and in the rest of the year, other than UK bookings, France, Colombia (twice more), Australia, Romania again….

I’d really appreciate your prayers, if you feel you can fast for a day for the healing of these knees, I’d be delighted. I have no plans to stop doing what I’m doing: not unless God mkes it very clear! Bless you!!