Update on Catherine Hudson - 4/28/2012

We are rejoicing over this latest report from Matt Hudson, regarding Catherine's condition!


E-mail from Matt:

April 28, 2012

Thank you for praying for Catherine. God hears prayer and we thank you for asking the Lord to heal her. We appreciate all of the e-mails, cards, notes, phone calls and texts sharing your thoughts and concern for Catherine. It is very encouraging to know that so many folks are faithfully praying! Thank you!

She is still in the ICU and is in critical condition. She has now been in the ER and ICU for one week.

Friday morning they decided to put her on Kidney dialysis. They dialyzed her blood yesterday and again today, and in these last two days removed a combined total of 18.74 pounds of fluids or 8.5 liters. The doctor will make a decision in the morning about future dialysis.

Her body is beginning to respond to the kidney dialysis, and her blood pressure is a little more stable. The doctors were able today to reduce the respirator to 90%, and we are praying that her breathing will continue to improve.

I realize that these improvements may only be small at this point, but we want to praise the Lord for each and every answer to prayer. God has been so good, and His Grace is sufficient.

We appreciate your prayers!

Update on Catherine Hudson - 4/27/2012 (pm)

Just a note to keep everyone informed. Since I last posted there have been no changes in Catherine's condition. The family thanks you for your prayers. Please continue to hold the entire family up in prayer. I will post more information or any updates as we receive them.

Update on Catherine Hudson - 4/25/2012 am

Catherine's brother-in-law posted the following update this morning:

"For today, Catherine's condition remains largely unchanged. Her fever has gone down some from yesterday, for which we are grateful."

He also asked that people not call or text all hours of the night. He mentioned that the family is quite exhausted emotionally and physically. Please respect their privacy and be mindful of these things.

Update on Catherine from Matt Hudson - 4/24/2012

Here is a note from Matt Hudson which was written in the evening of 4/24.

I just want to send a quick update. Thank you for praying!

Please continue to pray for Catherine. She is still in very critical condition. There have not been many changes. She is in ICU at Dallas Regional Medical Center.

She is 100% dependent on the respirator for her breathing. Her lungs would collapse without the respirator. Her blood pressure is 98/47, and her heart rate is 99.

The cardiologist just came and did an EKG, and they believe that she had a slight heart attack. Her heart is still working very well, it is just under a lot of stress. They suspect that she may also have a blood clot in her lungs.

I only mention all of this, because I know that God hears prayers and is able to do great and mighty things. Please keep praying! We just keep going to the Throne of Grace, and God's grace has been sufficient.

Thank you for the many e-mails and words of encouragement. I apologize that I am not able to personally respond to each one at this time, but each one is a huge encouragement.

Thank you!

Matthew Hudson

URGENT UPDATE JUST RECEIVED - Catherine Hudson 4/24/2012

URGENT: we received this text from Matt just a few minutes ago. Thank you to all who will pray!

"They have increased the respirator to 100 percent, and her numbers are still only in the eighty's pulse is at 121. She is not doing well."

Update on Catherine Hudson - 4/23/2012 (2)

Here is the latest update from Matt Hudson.

"Catherine's vital signs are remaining consistent, even
though she is still in very critical condition.

Her temperature is 98.7!

Her blood pressure was 52/34 when we first came in, and now it is 110/58.

When we first came in, her breathing was 100% dependent on the respirator, and now they have reduced the respirator to 70%, and she is breathing herself at about 30%. Praise the Lord!

Thank you for praying"

Update on Catherine Hudson - 4/23/2012

Here is the latest update on Catherine Hudson.

As many of you know she has been admitted to ICU for treatment pneumonia in one lung, which explains the fever she had been running. She was not able to be placed in ICU due to all the beds being full. We just received this latest update on her condition. She is on a respirator and is lightly sedated. They were able to turn her oxygen down to 70%, which means she is breathing more on her own. She is extremely swollen and is receiving four different antibiotics per IV.
Though her billirubin was down & she had been feeling better, the liver tumor has doubled in size. The doctor said the next 24 hrs. is extremely crucial. Please pray for a miracle!!


Then, just a few minutes ago, I received this update (through a mutual friend) from Matt, her husband.

Please pray for Catherine!

Sunday morning at approximately 3 am, we called 911. Catherine was unresponsive and having a very difficult time breathing. The EMS paramedics and Fire department arrived quickly and rushed her to the hospital.

To make a very long story somewhat shorter, she has a very severe case of double pneumonia. She was already taking 2 different antibiotics for her high fever. Her left lung is completely full of phlegm and the right lung is over half full. She is in very critical condition. She was moved from the Emergency Room last evening around 8 pm, and into the Intensive Care Unit. She has a tough and strong spirit, and she is fighting this the best she can. She made it through the night. Praise the Lord!!

The respirator is the only thing right now that is keeping her lungs from collapsing. The doctors have done culture swabs to determine the nature of her infection. With her immune system already low due to the chemotherapy, she is unable to fight off even the smallest of infections. She is currently intravenously receiving 4 different antibiotics.

Please pray!!! I was able to get a little sleep Sunday night and also go and shower and shave. I am just now able to get the computer to send out this prayer request.

Thank you for praying. It is all in the Lord's hands, and we know that He loves us. What a friend we have in Jesus!!!

Urgent Update on Catherine Hudson - 4/22/2012

Just received this update from Catherine Hudson's brother-in-law. PLEASE be in prayer for Catherine right now!

"Received the phone call at 4:00 A.M. this morning that they were taking Catherine to the hospital via ambulance. She was unresponsive along with other symptoms. She is currently in ICU with full pneumonia in one lung. It is difficult for her to breathe on her own so they are putting her on a respirator. We are heading to Dallas now and will keep you updated so you will all know how to pray. Thank you so much for all the prayers, comments, notes, etc!"

We will post any updates we receive regarding Catherine's status. Thank you for following her situation and for all your many prayers. 
She needs them now more than ever.

She's HOME!

We are very happy to tell you that our car is now home in the garage! 

In our last update on the car we told you that it was supposed to be ready by the 3rd of April. When the 3rd of April came and went we began calling the service center to find out if there were any problems. At that time we were told they did NOT have a transmission (even though the last time we talked to them we were asked permission to replace the transmission, told they had the parts necessary to fix it and told exactly how much it would cost), they had no idea where they would be able to find one, nor how much it would cost!

David had someone take him to the garage so that he could talk face to face with the manager to discuss what  more if anything could be done and how it was possible that we were told everything was fine when it really wasn't.  

He returned home with the same basic story that they had not found either transmission and they did not know where to find them, with no real answer as to why we were told otherwise over the phone. We talked again to others who knew this particular garage and they all confirmed that it was a reputable business that dealt with them very professionally. We felt we would wait and  continue to pray for the Lord to work this out as He saw best.

Yesterday morning, April 16th, we received a call from the garage that the car had been repaired and was ready for us to pick it up! Amazing! The final cost was a little bit cheaper than the initial quote we received which is also a blessing. We were praying it would not cost MORE than they had originally quoted us since they were having such a difficult time finding the necessary transmissions. 

At first we were going to have to wait to pick it up since David is very sick with the flu and a bacterial infection. However, another missionary who had offered to pick up some groceries for us the same day, agreed to pick David and I up from our house instead to take us to the service center. We drove our car to the grocery store and by the time we were done there David was worn out, so I drove home. 

Thank you so very much for your prayers regarding our vehicle! 

It is such a necessary tool here for the ministry and every day life. 

Easter Sunday Services - April 15th, 2012

Easter was celebrated today, April 15th, here in Russia. We are grateful for every one who was in attendance for Easter Sunday services. Three of our faithful adults were in attendance in the adult services. We invited others on Saturday but we were a bit reluctant of having many people in our home since David came down with an infection and the very bad Russian flu this past Friday evening. He had almost no voice by Sunday morning and was still running a fever. We didn't want him to spread his germs too far so I was a bit relieved for him that it was our few familiar faces in the adult services. The devil always seems to work the hardest right before special services or meetings! 

In the children's service we had a GREAT DAY! I was very encouraged that after a LONG winter we are seeing children return to Sunday school. We even had a first-time visitor today brought by a girl who has only been attending Sunday school for the last three weeks! We ran out of chairs!

A wonderful friend was so kind to send us an Easter package which arrived on Friday. We were excited for some Easter basket goodies for our family and candy for the Sunday school kids.

She also included in the package, a set of Resurrection Easter Eggs which help you tell the story of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection visually. The kids LOVED these eggs and were so excited to open up each one and read about how their piece of the story was significant.

The kids each holding up their Resurrection Egg.

When we went out on Saturday visitation, we left the Sunday school flyers blank and asked the children to draw a picture depicting why we celebrate Easter. The adults were the judges for our contest.

Timothy, our son, won for the best meaning.

I LOVED the picture above and thought it was the prettiest! The judges also agreed and awarded the artist with the prettiest picture award as well! 

A highlight of the day was tie-dyed cupcakes made with Jello powder to color the cake batter. The kids were amazed at how I made them different colors!

Some of us really enjoyed the cupcakes!

The kids who were present in Sunday school last week were supposed to finish their crafts this week. However, with so many children present it would have been a bit chaotic so they all decided to finish them next week. This also allowed our kids and myself to be in our places for the adult fellowship time after their services were over.

Alexander and Galina were also celebrating 20 years since they met today!

 We enjoyed a great lunch together with all sorts of goodies.

Galina "naturally" decorated some eggs.

Here is a link to show you how to color Easter eggs using this method.

We also enjoyed tortilla roll-ups and sandwiches;

"Blinchiki" made by Galina (the best "blinchik" maker ever!) and cream cheese balls rolled in imitation crab meat;

(A few cupcakes were left over from the children's service for the adults!)

and pretzel rolls (made by the American)!

A few of the children were so sweet to give us gifts for Easter.

I just loved this handmade gift from one of the newest teen girls!

 It was a great day and we were so grateful for each and every person present in the services. David made it through the whole morning but was definitely ready for a rest afterwards!

Every year it is such a blessing for us to have the privilege to teach more and more Russians about the importance of Christ's resurrection. If you could see the faces this morning as the children understood from Scripture exactly what Christ did for us through His death, burial, and resurrection! Please pray for the seed that was planted to take root, and that they would ask Christ to come into their hearts.

Update on Catherine Hudson - 4/11/12 (part 2)

Here is the update on Catherine from later in the evening the day of her scheduled chemo. treatment.


Catherine was able to receive her chemo treatment today. She has been able to eat more lately, and is in general feeling a little better! Still not sure about the fever... Her bilirubin count is down to 7.6 now, so that is wonderful news!! Thanks so much to all of you praying for her!

Praise the Lord for answered prayers on Catherine's behalf!

"Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, 

and he saveth them out of their distresses." 

Psalms 107:19

Update on Catherine Hudson - 4/11/12

Here is the latest update we have received from Catherine's sister-in-law. As you may remember, Catherine receives her chemo. treatments weekly on Wednesdays. The morning of is usually when the family sends out updates if there is any news which may be negatively affect Catherine's scheduled chemo. treatment. 


"Thank you to everyone praying for Catherine! PLEASE PRAY this morning, especially!!! She is running a temperature of 103.6, and they are not sure why. Blood tests are being done this morning to try and determine what is going on. Matt said he was not sure if she would still be able to receive the scheduled chemo treatment today. Also a praise: As of Monday, her bilirubin count was down to 7.9!!!! That is a good improvement! God is good! Thank you all!"

Please pray that Catherine's temperature would come down in time for her to receive today's treatment. I will keep you posted on any other updates.

Football...in Siberia!?

While we were in the States on our last furlough (Fall of 2008-Spring of 2009) we shared with the churches we visited  how we were praying specifically about the use of sports as another way to reach young people. We had already been contacted by a Russian man who loved American football and was getting together with some guys who met to practice, as best they knew how, without a coach or trainer. They all had hopes that someday they would see a team formed here in Krasnoyarsk. This man kept in touch with David for several years. Even while we were in the States on furlough he e-mailed us to wish us a Merry Christmas and say "Hello" from time to time. David attended a "practice" or two and was asked by this new friend if he would be able to coach these guys to help them get ready to actually play against other teams in Russia. We found out a bit later that there is even a larger interest in a local football team than just with the group of men who want to play.  Evidently there is a desire with the local city government to see a team formed as well.

There even was some financing at some point and the guys actually had pads and other equipment shipped from the States.  Over the years some of the equipment has been dispersed and they are now ordering the remaining amount that they need in order to have everyone in a uniform and proper gear.

Recently, as he promised to do, the guy who has kept in contact with David over the last few years, called us to let us know that the guys are now ready for a coach to get them game ready. Since we had been praying about this opportunity for some time as well as for the Lord to help us reach more young men, David accepted and is now the main trainer for the Siberian Bears football team.

I have been so looking forward to this post! I think I have also been more excited about this whole endeavor than my husband. He is thinking...I don't know THAT much about football!! I am thinking...I don't have to coach them, just invite them and their families into our home and make friends with their wives for witnessing opportunities galore! Awesome! What more could I ask for???

Since practices have been in full swing for several weeks now, I think David is doing a wonderful job on the coaching side and the guys are very pleased with him and the progress they have made in such a short period of time.

In order for the guys to make it to practice after work and school/institute, practice is often scheduled in the late evenings. With our car being "out of comission" this makes it a bit more difficult for David to get home after practice since buses do not run that late out to the village where we live. It has been great to hear that the guys always offer to take him home after practice. This time spent in the car with different players has given David more opportunities to witness and get to know each of them better. Thank the Lord for a positive side to us not having a car right now!

Please pray for us in this new and exciting ministry opportunity. We are thanking God for it and praying He will be glorified in every part of it. Winning games will be the reward for the guys. Winning souls through this will be our reward!

Happy Easter!

source

Just wanted to take a minute to wish all of our family, friends, and supporters a very Blessed Easter Sunday! We pray you enjoy a wonderful day celebrating the resurrection or our Savior, Jesus Christ, with family and friends. 

We are so thankful we serve a RISEN Savior and are able to teach others about Jesus, the only one who conquered death and rose again!

We are looking forward to celebrating Easter next Sunday, April 15th, here in Russia. Please pray for us especially this week as we prepare for Easter, that we might be able to introduce a lost soul to Christ!

"God's Been Good!" - Update on Catherine Hudson 4/4/12

Update from Catherine's sister-in-law on 4/1/12

"I got to talk to Matt earlier today, and found out a little more about how Catherine is doing right now. Her white blood cell count is very low...so low, that if it does not come up high enough by Wednesday, she will not be able to have the next scheduled chemo treatment on Wednesday. She is taking some medicine that is supposed to help bring the number up. Also, she is very swollen and uncomfortable; although she had had two pretty good nights lately so that is a blessing! THANK YOU so much to everyone that's praying for her...this will be a somewhat long journey. The Lord really shows HImself sufficient to us during these times! Hope you all have a wonderful Lord's Day tomorrow!"

Update from Matt received on 4/4/12

"Thank you for praying for Catherine!!!

She is feeling much better, and it is very encouraging to see the physical improvement over the last few days. She is able to walk around the house some, and she is getting some of her appetite back. Praise the Lord!

Catherine's white blood cell platelet count was down to 1.8 on Friday, and she was given a nuepogen shot. The oncologist said that if the platelet count didn't come up, we would be forced to postpone the next treatment.

On Monday the platelets were back up to 8.0 and the doctor was very glad to see that. She is scheduled to have the fourth treatment on Wednesday morning at 10:30.

Her feet are still quite swollen, but the lasix - diuretic is reducing it somewhat. Please continue to pray that her liver would start functioning properly.


Today is our son Daniel's 16th birthday. We praise the Lord for the work that God is doing in the hearts of all of our children during this trial. I know that this whole thing has been very difficult for them to understand, but their faith in the Lord is being strengthened. Catherine and I both thank the Lord for the way He is drawing all of us closer to each other and to Himself.

God's been good! This last Sunday evening, Daniel sang this song during the evening service. I believe that our entire family has realized that this is much more than just a song. God has been good, and His mercies and compassion are new every morning!"

Here is the video of Daniel singing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2Hvoi1H5Do&feature=youtu.be 

** What a blessing to hear Daniel sing this song during this difficult time for he and his family!

(Catherine's father, Bro. Ross, is the one who introduces Daniel before he sings)