Journey to Honduras

Tonight's blog is a little different than others that I normally write about. Today, we read devasting news about one of our dear dear friends in North Carolina. Her name is Lalania Hall. When we lived in N.C. I had the priviledge of teaching 2 of her 5 boys in kindergarten. Through those 2 years I learned alot about my dear friend. She truly is an inspiration to all that she meets. In 2007 she was given the news that no-one wants to hear....the news that contains what we would say is the "C" word....the "You have cancer" news. Not only did Lanie find out that she had cancer but her cancer was already stage 4. Lanie is the strongest women I have ever meet. Not only does she show physical strength, but mental and spiritual stength as well. I have never once her heard complain about having cancer.....she has always kept on going...she truly is "the little engine that could". She has friends all over the world who are praying for her. I know that it is her faith in the Lord and his grace that has kept her alive for the past 4 years. As I sit here tonight many the miles away from her.....all I can think of is that if God were to rewrite the part of Hebrews "Hall of Faith" I can not help but think that he would include her name in it. She has been such a testimony to so many...she has touched people that I know she has never met. Some of the hard times about being on the mission field is that you can not reach out to those who you love....those who are hurting....those who you simply want to hug and tell them that you love them.  Today is one of those days....she received the news that she is going to just get worse....the tumors in her brain are causing her brain to swell...the radiation that she must take only causes her weak and frail body to ache even more. Her thoughts are ..."do I take the radiation which seems to kill me with pain and agony"....or do I let the cancer beat me....She has always been a fighter...she served our country and is a veteran. She has decided to take the treatment which her doctors said could buy her 6 months. I know that God is the greatest doctor in all the world. I know that he has a plan....I also know that HIS will is not always our will. However, tonight I ask that all of you who read this please take the time to pray for her....I know that God hears our prayers and he answers those prayers of his people. God has kept her alive this long..he can do it for as long as He wants to.....the Bible says in James 5:16 " Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  You see right now...not only is my dear friend Lanie in need of  prayers and a touch from the master but I have a dear Uncle...my uncle Jack who is also in the hospital with an illness....and a dear friend of mine Catherine....her doctors have failed to determine what is causing all of her pain. You see we are human....doctors are human....we don't have all the answers....there is only ONE who has all the answers in the world...His name...Jesus...Prince of PEace, the great Physician, Comforter, and I could go on and on....I can not be there to see my loved ones and to hug them and give them comforting words....but better than that...I can lift their names up to heaven so that the one with the answers might heal them.  I know that there are many of you who read this and have problems that are similar.....please know that if you ask...I will pray for you as well.....That is what we are suppose to do for one another.

her 5 boys......

Lanie and her 5 sons

God listens to my every request with HIS whole heart. I will expect the unexpected, greater than all I ask or think.  As I pray, I learn to pray, to believe, to trust, to expect with increasing boldness. If I pray and ask the Lord for something...I should not doubt that he will not hear or answer my request...for if I doubt...what is the purpose of prayer. i should only ask God to do something if I beleive that it is HIS WILL...he will do it. The key here people is it must be GOD's WILL....sometimes we forget to say that when we pray...Lord if it be YOUR WILL please ......______________and you fill in the blank. I prayed that prayer when we were hoping for another baby....and we got Josiah......I just never would have imagined that HE would bless me again with MICAH....God is so good...and not just some of the time...but all of the time.  I again know that this is a blog of many emotions.....but hey....even missionaries have trials...just look at all of Jesus' disciples. He never said that being a Christian/ a servant was going to be easy....but I am glad for the valleys...because it makes the moutains look so much more magestic. I must also say that this really is not a trial......just a time of saddness for us as we do not want her to suffer....we know where her heart is and we know that when she leaves this life she will have a new body FREE of cancer and pain. It's just one of those tough times in the ministry...when you are away from your friends and family....So, on a happy note I am going to leave you with this....today at church in our 6-9 year old class Mark was teaching on Zacchaeus....after the lesson he went through the Romans Road and had a mini-invitation. Well, God was moving and working and he was able to lead a little boy to the Lord tonight. So...there is a reason to sing...."There's a new name written down in glory".....

Last thing.....please again take the time to pray for Lanie....and for others..and when you pray...you should pray EXPECTING an answer....

Sincerely Serving Him....
The Coats Family