Dear Pastor and Brethren:
Affliction!
Although we continued our regular preaching services, jail ministry efforts, and missionary outreach during the month of January, the Lord saw fit to afflict me once again with a heart attack on the 29th of January. This one was more devastating than the previous one five years ago. My cardiologist says that these attacks are genetically caused because my internal organs turn everything I eat into cholesterol. No matter how little I eat of food containing cholesterol my system produces either triglycerides or cholesterol, of which both clog arteries. As a result, this attack was massive with four blocked arteries and the previous two stents partially blocked as well. Three additional stents were placed in the arteries and one was ballooned to open it up. Additionally, I had atrial fibrillation twice, a severe episode that required the application of electric shock to correct the uncontrolled vibrations while on the operating table and another episode of a slighter nature that they allowed to correct itself. Then I contracted pneumonia in my left lung and an accumulation of fluid around my heart in the pericardium. I spent a total of sixteen days in the hospital, fourteen in the first session and two in the second session. While in the hospital I had wonderful opportunities to talk to several about spiritual matters both with the care givers and other patients.
During this ordeal, the Lord was very near and dear to me. While on the operating table and conscious, I sensed a great calm in my soul knowing and believing the promises of the Lord and feeling that I might be ushered into His presence at any moment. What a blessed thought it is to know that being absent from the body is to be present with the Lord! Later another thought that flooded my soul was that although the pain I had was intense, the Lord Jesus had suffered much more pain and affliction than I could ever suffer. He knew my pain and discomfort for He had borne all without complaint while upon the cross of Calvary. He was with me, and that thought seemed to quiet and calm me during my dark moments. What a fountain of comfort are the promises of God’s Word! What a joy and bliss to have faith in them! Thanks be unto God for granting me faith to believe such precious and important spiritual principles that have buoyed me up during this sea of suffering. What do the ungodly, the unbelievers do during such dilemmas? To know no Savior, to have no Comforter, to know no hope of eternal life in the Lord – I can’t imagine it. Anyway, thank you for your prayers, love offerings, and expressions of love and concern. My recovery is slow but the Lord is raising me up. I will keep you all updated as to the Lord’s work in my life – may He be praised!
By His grace and in loving gratitude,
Tim & Roxanne Parrow
II Tim. 1:7