Update on Lenya

The rain this morning reminded me of God's faithfulness to provide. (Isa 55:9-11) We're doing well and are set for this unplanned journey. After setting a date for Lenya's surgery, we are now focused on the operation and recovery. I'll let Lenya tell you in her own words:

"Good Morning,

Thank you for you words or encouragement and prayers. I have had incredible peace throughout the whole discovery process. Skip has been an angel...barely leaving my side. The Dr.s have been strong advocates on our behalf. To have nearly a dozen test in 4 days...incredible! Also, to move from discovery to diagnosis in a week's time is amazing. I have every confidence in their care. More importantly, I trust the Great Physician with my life!

I have a couple of pre-op tests on Monday. I have a colonoscopy on Tuesday. My surgery is scheduled for Wednesday 7/8 at 1 PM. Dr. Francisco Ampuero GYN/ONC will perform the procedure. It is a small, highly professional facility. I will have a private room and top notch care.

The surgery will require a vertical incision from my belly button to my pubic bone. The mass is so large that it displaces several vital organs. Therefore, they need to open my abdomen wide enough to pull it out in tact and without compromising adjacent organs. Doctors say that the good news is that the tumor is encapsulated. It hasn't adhered to other organs, rather it imposes upon them. It is a consistent density. And it has not created fluid in the pelvic area. The even better news? My surgeon called me "thin with almost no belly fat!" He's now my new best friend.

My mother is flying in on Tuesday. They say I will need someone at the house for 2 weeks to help out. She'll be here for the entire time. Recovery time is expected to be 2-3 months.

Thanks for your love and prayers!

Love,

Lenya"

I Would Love to Have Your Prayers

It's been quite a busy and eventful week at our home and I wanted to let everyone know what is going on in our personal lives. Lenya has been feeling quite a lot of pain lately (and believe me Lenya doesn't let on much when it comes to pain--she just plows ahead). So here's the run-down:

Monday: Lenya's Ob Gyn detected a pelvic mass upon examination. An ultrasound exam confirmed a 15cm mass present (the size of a large grapefruit)

Tuesday: Blood tests and a pelvic CT scan revealed that the mass is encapsulated(a good thing) but displacing other organs in the area.

Wednesday: CT scan of the lungs was done along with more blood tests. These showed an elevation of cancer cells in the bloodstream.

Thursday: We meet today with a GYN Oncologist to assemble a surgical team and schedule the removal of the mass.

The Heitzigs are really doing great. We have complete peace from God and are thankful for the way God sustains us. Honestly, we feel so blessed to have each other and with God's strength we'll march through this battle like we have other before it. God bless you.

Skip

A Great Night of Jubilee

Myself, Josh McDowell, Sean McDowell and my son Nate.



I've know Josh McDowell for many years now. He's been a great influence to my Christian walk since almost the very beginning. He wrote "More than a Carpenter" and "Evidence That Demands a Verdict", two of the best books ever written. Josh and his family were a part of the church in California, when I was the pastor. We had the pleasure of having his family (He, his wife and their son Sean) speak out there about family life. But this week we hosted them here in New Mexico. Josh and Sean came out to be part of our Bible Literacy Study and to kick off the Jubilee Festival along with Jars of Clay. Sean, who has written a couple of great books ("Understanding Intelligent Design" and "Apologetics For A New Generation")shared, along with my son Nate, the importance of Bible literacy for this generation while Josh & I spoke as the older guys to a small press conference on Friday at Hotel Albuquerque. We conducted a poll to indicate the level of Bible literacy in this city--a study Josh praised--since he's one who loves hard research and had conducted a number of similar studies himself. Both father and son McDowell shared the stage at the Balloon Fiesta Park to speak about the relevance of truth to their own lives--a powerful night!

Josh McDowell speak to a crowd of 7,500 at Balloon Fiesta Park Friday Night

Praying for Wisdom

I was struck by reading the account of Solomon's prayer in 2 Chronicles 1. Before Solomon built the great Temple and while the tabernacle still stood, Solomon gathered the leaders of the nation and together they prayed. There at Gibeon, after making an extensive sacrifice, Solomon was effectively given a "blank check" by God. He was told to ask for anything he wanted. It's what Solomon wanted that is to me most significant--he desired "Wisdom and knowledge" ("an understanding heart" in the 1 Kings account) to know how to serve God people. I have always loved Solomon's request and have echoed his prayer many times for myself, asking for God's wisdom and knowledge in shepherding His flock. I did so again this morning. I have always realized that the flock belongs to God and my task is to feed and nurture, equipping them through the knowledge of the truth (Acts 20:28). Solomon had the right focus at the beginning of his reign but as time wore on, he lost sight of it--a warning to all believers, especially to leaders that our hearts must be carefully guarded and motives constantly weighed. Shepherding God's flock is the greatest privilege in the world but it also demands the highest degree of integrity and purest of motives. "God, please grant that for your church."

Paul Clark and Phil Keaggy

Paul Clark and Phil Keaggy in 1980


Phil and Paul last night

OK, last night was a BLAST! I mean it was an epic combination of music and ministry as two of my dear friends came and shared their songs. Paul Clark and Phil Keaggy were at Calvary and delighted us. Thats the best way I can describe it. It was like a gift for our church body. The led in worship, helped with Communion and then played for the rest of the night. If you missed it, I'm really sorry because it was one of the most memorable nights ever.

Paul Clark and I have traveled the world together doing ministry from Jerusalem to Istanbul. He has been a musical troubadour, writing, singing and producing with some of the most capable musicians in the industry. We've been friends since way back! Phil Keaggy has been widely knwn as one of the planets best guitar players, yet he remains so sweet and humble, because he knws where his gift comes from!

These guys gave to our generation some of the most memorable Christian anthems like, "Abide" and "Love Broke Through" both of which were played last evening. To top it all off, the band joined them on stage for Paul's rendition of Bob Dylan's "Gotta Serve Somebody." So cool! And so fun!

If you were unable to join us, check out this short highlight video. Also to get the full evening and all the songs go over to calvaryabq.org and go the the archive section.

Mother's Day

I have so many fond memories of my mom. One of the greatest is her wonderful attitude and love for the simple things in life. A warm day with sunshine, working in her garden and a call from one of her boys was all she needed to beam. She was so encouraging to be around her and she loved to laugh! She also exuded a zest for life that was contagious. I miss her, but I know she's eally having a great Mother's Day with the Lord.

This Mother's Day at Calvary of Albuquerque we had Crystal Lewis, a mother of two teenagers. She shared stories, music, and her heart with those who attended.

As I continue my series on the Church, I am so glad to be part of this fellowship (Calvary of Albuquerque)- a place where people gather to worship God, study His word, and love one another. This family of believers genuinely and authentically follow Christ.

Happy Mother's Day!

A Perfect Day!

OK, so I haven't blogged for a while. With all of the busyness of normal life in the life of a pastor (people worried over the economy and the Swine Flu)and just the accelerated pace of postmodern technology between doing Facebook, the blog, Loopt, and just "regular" emails and website requests, life is CRAZY! So why am I blogging now? Perhaps out of guilt for not doing it awhile and perhaps because I have just a few quiet moments on my one day off to just say I love the space between the busyness. Today is what I would consider a perfect day. The weather is calm and warm, the outside air beckoned me to go out and poke around at yard work (a love I inherited from my mother)and I can now bicycle somewhere cool with Lenya. Ahhhh!