For those of you who don’t know, here in my Brooklyn Center neighborhood lives a Lao family whom I deeply love, the Chanthavongs. Over the last couple years Ketsana, her husband Sam, and their three amazing daughters Stacy, Maryanne, and Annie have endured much hardship. In October of 2009, Ket was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Liver Cancer.

Beloved friends, perhaps one day I will chronicle here the heart- wrenching, amazing, miraculous drama that unfolded since she was she was diagnosed.

But now, for brevity’s sake, I can say that Ket is now cancer- free. That through this, she and her family has powerfully come to know Christ. That mountains of medical dept have crumbled and fallen down before our eyes.

I’m doing the story a severe injustice,  but I wanted to create the backdrop for this latest bit on news.

My dear friend Mel recently invited Ket and Stacy to an Alpha course through Substance church. They LOVE it. I personally am long overdue to check in with that family, but I hear reports of Ket’s crazy deep love for Jesus. Stacy also carries her new bible around with her at school, evoking interest from all her classmates and teachers.

She’s fierce.

Continue to pray for this family, they are not out of the woods yet with the cancer currently in remission. Financially they are still in great need. Pray also for their faith and love for Christ to grow, take root and bear fruit.

Strength and Honor,

Nick

Story of Audrey

Saturday, an IV staffer of the northern campuses (UMD etc.) Sandi and I led a session titled, “Will the real Jesus please stand up?”. Out there, seems like everyone has a different take on Jesus. But how is he revealed in the bible and can we ‘know’ Him?

Our goal (with the amount of time  we had) was to get the students in the habit and lifestyle of asking questions. Many of these students were struggling in their faith, reluctant to reveal the doubt looming over them like a shroud and fearing ramifications of exposure.

“Its okay to question, its okay to doubt.” I said to their shock. “But don’t let it just corrode away in your heart. Fiercly seek out answers. Press in!”

I listened intently as a young gal straightened up in her seat and bravely shared her recent season of melancholy and depression. “Where was God when I was so down.” ”I needed Him the most and he felt so far away.”

Wow. What an honest and real question. One that I’ve definitely dealt with.

She also shared how she’s known about God and Jesus, but has never felt like she’s ‘known’ Him.

I responded to her, “Audrey, you… are doing what so many aren’t. You’re engaging the journey. You were down, not wanting to come to Breakaway, but you came anyway. You had questions about/ for Jesus and you showed up to this track. You had reservations about sharing your heart and mind but you spoke up.

Your’s is the heart God so deeply values. No, things haven’t been easy. But don’t give up hope, sista.  God IS near you. “

Her courage enabled others to speak up as well. A beautiful thing. Afterwards Audrey sat with our crew at lunch, really connecting with Rachel (a volunteer at Normandale with me). They were inseparable the rest of the weekend.

God works in wonderful ways.

More stories to come!

Nick

So turn around you’re not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It’s not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who’s strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you’ll see through the eyes of a little girl.

There could never be a more beautiful you
Don’t buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

- Jonny Diaz  ”More beautiful you”

I really didn’t appreciate my health until it was gone. I am so thankful.

Just wanted to get the word out to my prayer warriors.

As you may know, I’ve been plagued by a mystery illness for months, manifesting itself in the form of a chronically inflamed/ irritated throat and fatigue. Now, in addition, I’ve found that about very few weeks since early August, I get slammed with a brutal wipe-you-out -for-a-week cold. Symptoms have now become violently severe.

In between colds I can resume life with relative normality, but this time around things are getting a little scary.

So, I scheduled my 4th appointment with a doctor. Blessing that they were able to get me in today. Ill keep you posted .

Thank you

Nick

I have been thrilled at the discussions among the students during these times. Honest and dynamic. Students are dealing with and sharing deep heart /life issues.  One gentleman shared in the context of John 10 that he’s struggling with the ‘goodness’ of the ‘shepherd’. “I’ve had appendicitis, ‘ve been hospitalized getting my wisdom teeth removed, and my family’s a mess… What’s God going to hit me with next??”

How awesome for him to have the guts and share that? How often do we struggle with who God says He is, compared to the overwhelming evidence on the contrary life can be?  This example is just the tip of the iceberg, but for brevity’s sake and some confidentiality I’ll go light of the details here.

Thank you and continue remembering us in your prayers. Pray for us staff. For unity and boldness and strength. No doubt when one steps out in faith, it can ‘stir up the hornet’s nest’ of the enemy.

Even now, I am using almost all the energy I have to steal my heart against a relentless siege. Constantly, thoughts meant to distract, dismantle, entice, weaken and wear barrage my mind, will and emotions. More than ever must I figure out what it means to abide in Christ. Abide in the One who can fight for me when I feel weak.

Pray for the students, that the fire of faith would fan into flame. That broken hearts would find healing in Christ. That confusion would find clarity. And most of all, that they wold experience Christ in their lives in an undeniable way.

strength and honor,

Nick

Let’s be praying friends. Diagnosis is tonsillitis, a generic term for infected/ inflamed tonsils. Not the worst case He’s ever seen, which is the good news.  A culture was done to see exactly which ‘bad guy’ is present, to ultimately prescribe which weapon (if any) best takes it out. If this is chronic tonsillitis, then the tonsils are ‘shot’   and have to go.

I am hoping for God’s mercy that it is treatable by non- invasive means, that the bug causing the infection is sensitive to antibiotics. I don’t know, after 27 years, my tonsils have kind on grew on me, and I’d like to keep ‘em around.

Thanks for reading

Nick

I do now.

Unfortunately, I got them mixed up and went to the wrong one. Noooo!  By the time I had gotten everything figured out, I missed the threshold they allow for being late (just barely) and I had to reschedule… Two Weeks Out!

My fault , should have double checked the directions. I am amazed though how apt I am to make excuses.  Who am I trying to kid?

So now my task is to find a specialist in network that could fit me in earlier. I really don’t feel comfortable waiting another couple weeks.  Prayers are welcome.

Thanks team!

Nick

I just wanted to thank all of you who commented on my last post. Words can’t express how encouraging the calls, texts, and messages were. I am so utterly blessed.

Here’s the update:

I am feeling a bit better. Praise God! I was able to exercise a bit yesterday and get on campus today.   As any ‘do-er’ would, I am tempted not only rush back into the normal routine, but also to play catch-up. Rather, I am taking the trusted counsel to pace myself.

Lingering still is an overall dull ache in the muscles and bones. I just can’t shake the sense that something  isn’t right, so the appt. with the specialist doc Friday is still a go.

I admit, I’m a little anxious about what the prognosis will be. My tonsils have been giving me some problems and I have a sinking feeling they’re going to want those gone. Am I crazy, or do we have them for a reason?!

Anyways, thank you again for the concern and support. It means more than you know.

This is a quick shout out for prayer to my people. For the last several months I’ve been dealing with a dull but persistent fatigue and intermittent cold-like symptoms.

I was stubborn but eventually saw the doctor about it. They ran some tests and came back negative for Mono and strep. They put me on antibiotics anyway, but the symptoms remained. A month ago I went back. More tests; no answers.

Now, within the last few days, the fatigue and exhaustion is so great, I’ve been able to do little else than read, sleep and muster up enough energy to work a couple shifts. It’s like I’ve been sapped of all my strength. Sadly, I had to bail on the Intervarsity kick- off at Normandale just to lay down and rest.

My nights are characterized by intense, vivid dreams and I often wake up feverish, feeling as though I hadn’t slept a wink.

Please pray that this passes, or that the good doctor will able to discern whats going on. I am eager to get back on campus (and the streets of my neighborhood for that matter). However, in my situation now, I understand even the greater the verse, “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Thank you my beloved friends.

Nick