2019 August 18 Archive | jon and layne heller

We came home from furlough into a whirlwind of challenges, pain, and grief. It wrapped us up and nearly blinded us to its effects. Only stumbling out the other side and reflecting, we realized that since coming home in February, we have lost five friends. Thankfully, each of these made it home to their families before their deaths, something we count as grace. We have also delivered the terminal diagnosis to another three and sent them to their homes to spend their last days with family. As we wait, we still carry them in our hearts. No wonder it has felt heavy.

We had a season with every bed full and not just full, full of patients with intense suffering. It is true that every patient with cancer suffers, however, sometimes the stages of our patients’ sickness are different, and those stages and the number of patients determine the atmosphere around here. It was a hard season. The morphine and wounds kept us tethered to the affliction of those we were trying to love, demanding our attention, our compassion. Really, we’d have it no other way. It is why we chose this… or better said, were chosen for this. When we stop breaking with those around us, it would be time to quit. It is Christ alone that carries us, enables us, humbly uses us. Your prayers have meant so much.

Even still, I feel like we are just beginning to catch our breath and beginning to feel the atmosphere changing. We have let the number of patients dwindle a bit, as we currently have 8 patients and a couple of those soon to be going to their homes. In reality, the hospital does not have patients to send to us right now and that feels like God’s blessing on our season of slowing… recovering.

Our girls are growing and thriving. It is such a wonder to behold such intense joyful moments of life alongside such pain. What a gift these four daughters of mine are, not just to me, but to the Casa Ahavá community.

We cherish your support and love for us and for our patients. Here are some current pictures