Pray for Pastor Guido and his wife

Pastor Guido and his wife are very dear loved friends of ours in Metter, Ga. Please join me and others in prayer for them.




February 19, 2009
Dear Friends of Michael and Audrey:
These have been difficult days for each of us who know and love Michael and Audrey. To see, to watch, to learn, to hear that their condition is not improving has been, at times, a real test of my faith. Having been with Michael for these past three years has enabled me to participate in an actual “laboratory offaith” as I observed first hand how a man of complete trust behaves before God.
Having seen God answer his humble and at times halting prayers, having my faith totally challenged by my doubting humanness, bringing seemingly impossible requests to the throne of grace only to learn of a miraculous answer that would be difficult to believe, being with him as he wept for the restoration of his beloved Audrey’s mind, watching him pray with the throngs who filed through the Chapel at Christmas, listening to him preach God’s love while in a state of altered consciousness during a visit to the hospital, I wondered what would be the next phase in the high calling of his life in Christ Jesus…
In His mercy, thankfu lly, He keeps His best from us. Even though I would, at times, have appreciated more “before the fact” announcements from Him informing me of what was about to happen, that has never been His way of managing me. It has always been “wait until you realize that you can do no more, especially in your own strength.”
Yesterday was a particularly hard day. On Tuesday we went with Michael to see his physician. During the examination of his diabetic feet, his congested lungs, his failing vision and hearing, his memory lapses, Dr. Beville said, “It’s time for hospice. There is nothing more that can be done medically except to make him comfortable. His toes are not healing and he may even lose one more. His heart is too weak to do its healing work. I have done all that there can be done medically.”
So I met with the hospice staff that afternoon to learn of their program. Carefully, they explained how they do their “work of compassion”. Each step in the process, how their care was not our giving up or giving in – but for us have their assistance in the decision-making process in a well managed program for additional care. After a lengthy discussion I told them I wanted one more day of prayer before I would make a final decision.
We then met in the morning and I signed the necessary papers and the hospice care began.. But all through the day and night my heart controlled my mind. “Is this your lack of faith and trust? Would Michael have consented if this were you? Did he not want you to take him to a specialist in foot care in Savannah? "Co
uld you take me to Mayo one more time for my vision? Maybe they could do something for my feet.” I slept little during the hours of darkness.
When I awakened this morning the first order of the day was to get a report. It was not a good night for Michael; the pain, the fluid build up, the restlessness. Fortunately, the care giver was able to call hospice for instructions on what medications to give to Michael from those that they had left that afternoon.Thankfully, they enabled Michael to have a night of good rest and sound sleep. I give thanks to God for the decision. It seemed to be a benediction on what I had done.
I have asked our Board of Trustees to meet in Metter thisSunday at 3:00 p.m. to pray for Michael and Audrey. Will you, at this time, join with us to uphold them in His grace, mercy and love and to strengthen them in body and mind.
Thank you, and be blest.
-Larry Guido





www.guidogardens.com