December 25, 2016
Dear Friends and Partners,
It has been some time since you heard from us. I will attempt to explain why, but first, let us wish you a Merry Christmas. Today, we know that you are joining Robbie and me in celebrating our Lord having shed His royal robes to take on the flesh of man. Some time ago, I attempted to explain what happened in these words:
Piercing the Night
What was the star all about?
Why did angels look down and shout?
What made shepherds stand still to hear?
Why did the king tremble in fear?
Was it just another birth
That stirred heaven and earth?
Could one small child, in a bed of hay,
Cause wise men to rush to where He lay?
Or was God at work that far-off night,
Piercing darkness with Eternal Light?
Was this the unfolding of His own plan
To meet our need by becoming man?
The answer is found in the test of time.
What one life has so affected yours and mine?
He was born to die that we may live.
The gift that lasts was His to give.
Of His worth, mocking men are unaware.
That He died for them, they little care.
Yet He calls. Stand still and hear.
He has conquered night and cast out fear.
Because He loved before we knew,
The Christmas message endured and grew.
Be still; look up on a cold winter night.
Darkness is pierced by Eternal Light.
This year, Robbie and I are celebrating our 58th Christmas as husband and wife. Last summer, we each marked our 80th birthdays. The years have taken their toll. We have outlived many of our dearest friends and ministry partners, including Felix and Patsy Snipes, Jimmy and Dee Hodges and Steve Shirk.
For now, we are mostly homebound. Our car has not been started in over a month. Because of complications from diabetes and arthritis, Robbie deals daily with mobility challenges and pain.
For some time, I have suffered a from a deteriorating right hip problem. Just as I completed the manuscript for my autobiographical book, Each Step of the Way, and got it to my editor, I was stricken with carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve compression. This effected all my fingers, destroying my keyboard skills. (I am writing this by striking one key at time with my right index finger.)
Because of this, I have delayed plans for hip replacement surgery and sought the help of an outstanding hand surgeon. On December 2, surgery was performed on my right hand. On December 30, I am scheduled for surgery on left hand. We are hopeful that this will restore my ability to write.
During this ordeal, I have secured and learned to use a platform walker, taking pressure off my hands and putting it on my forearms. This devise is heavy and a bit awkward.
Recently, I was up at 3:00 AM to let our little dog, Boomer, out for relief. I turned too quickly and fell backwards, with the walker crashing down on top of me. I landed painfully on my lower back. The blessing was that I avoided a disastrous breaking of my already injured right hip.
We are thankful for good medical care. We have had the same family doctor for thirty years. Robbie is under the care of an excellent endocrinologist. With that doctor’s supervision, I can manage her blood sugar testing, insulin injections, etc.
My oncologist keeps a constant check on my welfare. Recently, lab work showed a severe drop in my immune globulin. She has ordered me into the cancer center for intravenous immune globulin transfusions within 48 hours of any surgery.
We get mobile meals Monday through Friday. We also receive home health care with weekly visits from occupational and physical therapists. A great lady comes every Thursday to assist Robbie with a bath and shampoo. We have installed a special bath bench for Robbie. When we need lab work for any of our doctors, an RN comes to our home to draw blood, etc.
All of this may sound a bit overwhelming, but great friends and neighbors are helping us meet every challenge. We are blessed!
We count your friendship and partnership among our greatest blessings. Robbie joins me in sending our warmest expressions of love and appreciation. Again, Merry Christmas!
For Jesus' sake,
Wayne Bristow
2 Corinthians 4:5
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