Friday. Jonathan was feeling a little better as he woke up. After three days of antibiotics, we felt that the treatment was working and we would be starting oral chemo over the weekend. We headed to the hospital to receive his IV chemo. He rested in the afternoon and then he perked up and had dinner and a fun evening with our small group and our family visiting from out of town.
Saturday. Not too bad. We had more dear friends visiting and Jonathan had a few hours chatting and interacting with them in the late morning. He rested in the afternoon, but his GI discomfort got worse and it took away his appetite, so by dinner, we started doing shakes to supplement his diet in the hopes that he would get enough nutrition to get him ready for treatment. Saturday was not a fun day for his belly, but we were able to complete the around of antibiotics and felt hopeful.
Sunday. We ventured to church and felt incredibly blessed. Both, the Word preached and the music were worshipful, fitting, and encouraging. Our pastor led us to pray for one another and we came forward. It was a emotional time of candid petitioning and genuine Christ-like love. After church, and with full hearts, we gathered around the table for lunch with our extended family. Jonathan enjoyed the time, but not for too long. He felt nauseous and exhausted and had to sleep for the rest of the day. We had hoped to start chemo that night, but he couldn’t.
Monday. We kept trying to do everything possible to improve Jonathan’s diet to accommodate for good nutrition and to provide relief from the acid reflux sensation that has been aggravating him so much. It seemed to work, and even though his energy was very low and he was only awake for a few minutes around meal times, he was able to eat some breakfast, and a some lunch, but by dinner his stomach couldn’t hold anything anymore. At that point, his doctor determined to press the pause button on tumor treatment to let Jonathan get more stable. That was concerning, considering the critical area affected by the tumor, but indeed a necessary measure.
Tuesday. Both, Jonathan’s energy and his appetite were quite low from the start of the day. He slept all day, he had GI discomfort, a headache, and was only able to drink a couple of shakes for meals. His exhaustion were so severe that he choose to speak little or not to talk at all. He was no longer resting, he was rather lethargic. By late afternoon, it was decided that he needed to be admitted to the hospital to make sure he get proper hydration and to determine what exactly is causing all of his discomforts and how to help him.
BUT GOD. In the middle of these stressful days, the Lord’s provision has been faithful and plentiful. Our Elders have brought meals, friends and family have traveled hours only to hug our neck, keep us company, and run errands for us. Jonathan’s mom arrived in town Sunday night and she is helping around the house and with the kids -they are in excellent hands. Our small group has been a source of support, strength, and key help on decision making. Friends, from both church (Brook Hills) and school (Westminster) are helping with meals, cleaning, playdates, school supplies, and coordinating carpools for the beginning of the year. Notes of encouragement in the form of texts, phone calls, emails, and cards. And then, the most important gift, your prayers! Each time someone tells me they are praying, I feel the Lord whispering in my ear, “I love you”. Thank you. How would we do this without you? You are God’s hands and feet. Literally. Will I ever be able to pay you back? I trust the Lord will and I desire to take the opportunity to show this kind of love to others.
Please, continue to pray for healing for Jonathan.
Pray for wisdom for the doctors and for clear leads to figure out how to help Jonathan.
Pray for our children. The seriousness of their dad’s condition is now dawning on them.
Pray for our hearts and minds to be anchored in God’s truth and for us to run to Jesus with all our feelings -even the ugly ones.
We are now bleeding into Wednesday. Jonathan has had two bags of fluid, labs, and they are doing scans and ultrasounds. Hospitals don’t sleep. Jonathan has remained asleep through all of it it. Thankful for both.
I’ll keep you posted as the day goes by and I find out more.
Eyes on the Unseen 
Continued prayers for all of you.
Dear God, hear the prayers of your people on behalf of your child, Jonathan. May he rest every moment in peace and calm assurance that you love him dearly and see his needs. Comfort Karla and the kids deep within their hearts as they continue to trust in you for each, next step. Thank you for the beautiful acts of service those near to them are providing each day. May joy be found in unexpected places.
Oh Karla, how grateful we are God brought us to Brook Hills to renew our friendship and see your precious lives. Your family is a constant prayer on our lips. What an inspiration you all are to us and witness of the power and love of God. Bless you dear ones!
This is Danny Akin. Paul keeps me updated on Jonathan and the family. I want you to know of my great love for you all and that Jonathan is now a part of my daily prayers. Charlotte and I adore the Beans. We love you. Asking God to do what only He can do. We trust Jonathan into the care of our loving Heavenly Father.
We are Brook Hills members and continue to pray for all of you.
Praying so much for Jonathan, your sweet children, & you! Thank you for sharing how we can pray. Thankful the Lord is providing in so many tangible ways for your family right now. Praying you continued to lift your eyes to Him & know of His great love for all of y’all!
Our family has been following Jonathan’s condition and have been in prayer for you all. We have been members at Brook Hills for many years and although we don’t personally know Jonathan we have always been blessed by sermons he has preached and know that he is a great man! Please know that God has been at work in the lives of others through this suffering. I can not begin to really understand what you are going through. I do however, know that God has used your circumstances to speak to me.
We are praying for you all everyday. Our hearts heavy with the weight of this illness. Praying for healing for Jonathon and comfort and strength for you and all your family, as I know it’s so hard to watch him suffer.
So, so grieved to hear of Jonathan’s decline, but continuing to pray earnestly for God’s intervention to sustain you all and to heal Jonathan. Love to all of you.
I love you all very much! Praying🙏❤️
Praying with you, friends! 🙏🏻❤️
Praying with you and for you! Love you ❤️
We do not know you personally but go to Brook Hills and have interacted with you through the years in the kid’s ministries. We are praying earnestly for God’s peace to overwhelm all other emotions, for clarity and wisdom for the doctors to help Jonathon, and of course relief from any discomfort for Jonathon. May God bless you and comfort you deeply. We love you.
Lifting you all up continually! Asking our Almighty & Sovereign LORD to grant great comfort and peace to all of you as you take refuge and find shelter under his wings. May you continue to know, experience, and trust in His steadfast, covenant-keeping love!
Continuing to pray for your family. ❤
My heart goes out to you and asking God to send a miracle for Jonathan. God Bless!
Love you all and praying!❤️
Praying for you all, Karla. You are truly a faithful servant.
Praying praying for y’all. Our hearts are with you.
Praying.
We thank God for you, your family and enlist our church to pray for you often. Grace and peace to you all.
When my granddaughter fell into a campfire. The doctors told us for 30 days straight morning & night that she wouldn’t make it thru that day or that night. They were preparing us for the worst but they are not God and we stood on His Word and trusted not in what things looked like in the natural. She too was lethargic and then put her in a medical coma. Long story short after being told that she wouldn’t live time and again we were so emotional but then a miracle came because God had other plans. The Dr’s marveled and couldn’t believe it the day we walked out of that hospital. My sweet baby is now 11 years old. I shared this to encourage You to keep pressing in and trust God regardless of what the Dr’s say. Keep the faith burning Continue to trust God as I know you do and don’t lose heart for you know He will take care of Jonathan and do what is best for him. Leave him in Jesus’ arms. I’m Praying for his full recovery and for the whole family to be filled with His peace though the storm rages. Love &Hugs
I don’t know you guys that well but we’ve crossed paths at Brookhills and ITF. Jonathan has been such an inspiration both from preaching and from watching him fight this battle. I’m praying for Jonathan and your family.
“I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us — to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:17-21
Dear Karla, As this fight gets harder, God’s Army of Angelic Forces increases. We cannot see with our human eyes all the angelic hosts that surround all of you. These heavenly hosts are guiding, comforting, protecting and guarding all 5 of you. God is FAITHFULLY FIGHTING THIS BATTLE FOR JONATHAN. Harper and I cover all of you with Love and Light. Angels fill your house by day and night. Love you all more than I can express in words, Cari and Harper Henderson
Praying much for Jonathan and family! Love from Nairobi, Kenya.