The Best Laid Plans

Some of you have already received our prayer update through email and know what is in process for us right now.  For those of you who don't....here it is!  (by the way, if you want to get on our email prayer update please message me and send me your email address)We've been sharing about Tyler's knee injury that happened over two weeks ago.  Initially the results we received did not point to an immediate need for surgery.  However, on Friday we received results from a doctor in the U.S. that we had sent digital images of the MRI to.  We were disappointed that the news was much worse than we thought.  Tyler has a ruptured patellar tendon, a torn ACL and meniscus, and possibly some other damage.  The biggest problem is the ruptured tendon.  While there is adequate care in Jakarta or Singapore, which we initially wanted to do, MAF leadership in Idaho decided that the best decision for our family is for us to come back to the states for immediate surgery and rehab.

Talk about shocking news!!  At first we were disappointed to be told that we had to go back.  In fact, we are still disappointed.  We have barely been here a month, are just beginning to feel more comfortable and familiar with the city, and have just begun to learn language.  BUT, we also are thankful that MAF cares about our family enough to make a difficult decision for us that in the long run will be the best option.   

The main reason for this decision is that the road to recovery and rehab for Tyler's knee will take somewhere around 12 weeks, and there really is not adequate physical therapy in or near Salatiga to help Tyler's knee heal completely, which he will need to have as healthy as possible for his career as a pilot!  Also, I (Renae) will have more support and help during Tyler's recover in the States than would be possible here.  

We will be leaving for Jakarta on Tuesday (9-02-14), and flying from there to the States on Wednesday.  Just like before, it is a really long, intense trip and we ask for your prayers for stamina for all of us!  Because of Tyler's injury, he will be mostly unable to help with the kids or carrying luggage, and will be in a different row/seat for much of the trip in order to be able to keep his leg straight and hopefully up, since he is unable to bend his knee.  Lots of prayers needed....we are trusting that God is going before us and knows what we need to make it through the flights. We would ask that you specifically pray for: 

• Tyler, being able to schedule a surgery sometime in the next week, and for the reconstruction of his knee during surgery. 

• Our kids,  they have done great transitioning to Indonesia and have just settled into a routine, including preschool and having our own "home" again, and now we are uprooting once again.  

• Pray that we would have peace and Tyler and I would do our best to lean on the Lord be a great example to our kids by having good attitudes no matter what the circumstances. 

We came to Salatiga to learn the language and culture and build relationships to help prepare us for our place of service in Indonesia.  Though it feels like the reasons we came for are being disrupted, we also know that God's plan for us is to teach us to trust Him, to be sanctified, to learn to praise Him despite our circumstances, and give thanks in all things, doing everything we do to the glory of God.  I say this to remind ourselves of these things but also ask you to pray those things for us too. We look forward to returning to Salatiga and our new home here in a few months time

with grateful hearts,

The Schmidts