Update: Thank you to family in Ontario for launching a GiveSendGo campaign. Feel free to click here for more info:

https://www.givesendgo.com/GC78E

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The theme for today is Refuge.

Psalm 46. A powerful psalm. A peaceful psalm. A popular psalm. It’s the number one psalm that’s been shared with us since Zach has been in hospital.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. In short, God hides and God helps.

God hides us. This part of Zach’s race course is profoundly difficult. He’s in trouble. He’s running in a storm. It’s dangerous. It’s scary. He needs to run somewhere to hide. He needs to run to someone to hide him. Who could blame him? He needs escape, relief, and protection. He’s running to God. And God is embracing him. God is his safe space. In God he has a secure hiding place. God is his refuge.

God helps. This is the part of Zach’s race course where God is lending an extra hand. He’s lending a tighter hand. A helping hand. His hand won’t let go. God wants to help. God loves to help. He won’t abandon Zach. He’s promised Zach he’ll help him and He’s keeping His Word. He’s always present, always with Zach for every step and every stride. God is his help in trouble.

Another day. Another lap in Zach’s race.  His pace is slow. But his pace is steady. He’s running with faith in Jesus. He’s running to the Lord. He’s running with his Hider. He’s running with his Helper.

Today’s Updates:

Zach got his tracheostomy inserted today! This was unexpectedly fast, as yesterday we were told they would do it at the end of the week. The nurse said that Zach’s trach was prioritized because of his chest tubes. It is nice to see Zach without a breathing tube in his mouth, he looks more like himself! They did a “breathing trial” today where they attempted to take him off the support of the ventilator, but Zach didn’t tolerate it at the time and they reconnected him to the ventilator. Please pray for strength for Zach in future breathing trials and patience for us as we wait to see him off the ventilator.

Zach’s infection markers went up again today. The doctors are keeping him on the same antibiotics for now, but they expect a months long course of antibiotics before his infections are all resolved.

Zach had a busy day today and looked sleepy for most of the time we were with him. We are glad he’s getting the rest he needs. Join us in fervent prayers that Zach’s brain may heal and that he will wake up. We are reminded to trust in our Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding more each day.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)