Health Update And Prayer Request Of 10/06/2004
Dear Pastors, Churches and Praying Friends:
    First of all Janet and I want to thank you for your prayers for Janet and her family regarding the recent passing of her father.  God has sustained her during this difficult time.  Your words of love and concern have meant much to us and we are convinced that God has answered your prayers.  THANK YOU!
    Secondly I wish to encourage you to continue praying for my health situation.  It is as follows - and I will try to be brief.
    I spent parts of two weeks in Budapest, Hungary undergoing tests - including a bone marrow test.  The results are these:  (1) I do NOT have cancer.  (2) I do have a bone marrow disease called myeloproliferative syndrome (with blast cells).  (3) This condition causes or precedes leukemia or tumors, etc.  I do NOT have leukemia.  I do NOT have tumors.  This myeloproliferative syndrome is causing the very bad anemia and apparent urinary condition.
    The specialist there told me I MUST immediately go to the U.S. for treatment.  I told the doctor that I must first return to Romania before going to the U.S.  The doctor said "NO!"  You must go immediately to the U.S. and begin treatment.  I explained that my wife was in Romania and there were certain things that must be done before I could return to the U.S.  So the doctor ordered me 2 units of blood to temporarily alleviate somewhat the anemia so that I would have strength sufficient to do what must be done.  I have returned to Romania for one day just to do what is absolutely necessary before leaving for the U.S.  The doctor told me that treatment for my condition is NOT available in either central or eastern Europe!  If I am to receive treatment, it must be in the U.S.
    I first contacted the Indian Hospital at Talihina, Oklahoma.  They do not treat such cases as mine.  They "farm this out" on what is called "Contract Health."  You have to be a resident FOR SIX MONTHS of certain counties in Oklahoma before even being considered for Contract Health.  Then there is no guarantee that they would have funding to cover such treatment.  Without treatment, in six months I will probably be dead from the anemia.  This is the reason we did not go to the Indian Hospital where services would be without charge.
    I do not mind dying - that is "far better."  Of course I do not want to leave Janet and my family.  But more than that, I do not think it is time for me to go.  I do not sense that it is.  I am zealous for the work in Romania and expect to return there within a few months.  (Of course I may be wrong about this - but my Father is in control and His will is what we want to be done!)
    I am writing from Romania on Thursday evening.  Tomorrow morning Brother Raul and Brother Aurel will drive Janet and me to Budapest airport where we will begin a flight to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  Our pastor, Brother Dodson, is to meet us at the airport on Saturday evening and drive us to Denham Springs.  There is a lovely mobile home adjacent to the pastor's residence and Janet and I will be staying there.  There is a charity hospital in Baton Rouge which MAY be able to help me.  We do not know yet.
    I need to be under the care of a hematologist and probably will receive some kind of chemo-therapy.  How intense this must be, I do not know.  In an effort to save money, I will be bringing x-rays and results of all my tests including a bone marrow sample.
    As I have I have indicated above, THIS MATTER IS URGENT!  It is going to be necessary to purchase some kind of second hand car to be able to get to doctors and treatments, provided we can find someone to treat my condition.  Please pray about this.  In addition  I have no insurance, having lived many years in Canada (socialized medicine) and having expected to remain in that country.  Perhaps there is a hematologist who will discount his services or help us in some way.  Your prayers regarding this are greatly needed.
    While I have great weakness and have had for about half a year (some of you knew of this condition when I visited your Churches recently), I am NOT bedfast.  I am able to continue in the translation work.  Our plans are for the two young men, Bro. Aurel and Bro. Raul to continue with the translation work in my absence.  By using the Internet, I can still work with them in final editing of the various projects.  We continue to receive requests for our literature and are burdened that this work continue.  These young men can print and bind the various pieces of literature translated.   I believe the proliferation of truth among Romanian-speaking peoples will bear fruit and am determined to continue in this part of the work even from Denham Springs.  Bro. Raul will preach in the meeting of the Baptists in Bocsa, and as they are able travel at least once or twice a month to Oltenia to seek to "feed the sheep" there.
    These young men will stay in the mission property and look after things there.  This should protect the place from burglars, etc.
    I ask that you continue to stand with us during this time.  We need your prayers!
    Janet and I rejoice to know that God is fully in control of this matter as He is in control of all things.  He chose us before the foundation of the world.  Our goal is that in whatever way He chooses our lives might bring some small amount of glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.  And we rejoice to know that our Sovereign Father is too wise to make a mistake and too good to do anything bad.  These are not just words to us - perhaps we are learning something in His school!
    We are at present unable to receive e-mail in Romania, though we can send.  Do not any longer use either my e-mail address or Janet's.  If you wish further information or wish to contact us, please e-mail our pastor, Brother Jerry Dodson at
    jerrydodsonsr@wmconnect.com
    Thank you, all!
    In the cause of God and truth,
    Curtis and Janet Pugh