April 30, 2013

Dearest Friends and family

After 17 appointments to the VA we had our consultation with the urology surgeon this morning in Fayetteville. As previously mentioned the biopsy last week came back with two samples of cancer: #1 prostatic adenocarcinoma, Gleason score 4+4=8, involving less than 5% of tissue of 1 or three cores; #2 prostatic adenocarcinoma, Gleason score 3+3=6, involving less than 5% of tissue and 1 of 1 core. (Slow growing not aggressive!)

We were assured that it is not critical that we have to have surgery RIGHT NOW (but I should have the treatment in the next year). In all reality we were told we might not get into the surgery cycle for 2-4 months right now anyway, thus we will go ahead on the May 16th flight back to our home and work in Vanuatu.

We will get some things done in Vanuatu with setting up the Bible school and then come back to the USA in Oct-Nov to have surgery on the prostate and recovery.

We have not decided which treatment to do (radiation or DaVinci) but have read the treatment + recovery time is about the same and the long term prospect is about equal. Either treatment will mean we will have to be back here for 3-6 months. Radiation could be done in Joplin but the DeVinci procedure would be in Houston at the VA there.
We are leaning toward the DaVinci and know we will have to set up a consult with Fayetteville which will take a couple of weeks as well as a wait for Houston to have us in for the consult. We will probably email in the consult with Fayetteville and arrange our trip back so we are not having to twiddle our thumbs back here in the cold.
This will also give us time to see if my leg problems will come back in the heat and humidity of Vanuatu. Perhaps we will have some live abscesses to bring back for the infectious disease team at the VA. I have been unable to bring the other abscesses to the skin for lancing. The last lanced abscess is still healing slowly but we will see if it returns when we get back. The original sores are healed over but still gross looking.

Upgrade to business class
The Lord has blessed up with upgrades to Business class on the flight back to Vanuatu on May 16th. We had enough frequents flyer sectors on Air Pacific to upgrade and thus will enjoy the luxury of laydown seats and more leg room as well as more allowable luggage at no additional costs.

We will leave Tulsa on Southwest May 16th AM to catch the 10:30 pm flight to Fiji and then on over to Port Vila, Vanuatu the same day.

Supplies from CURE (Compassionate Utilization of REsources)
Because we had to be in Fayetteville for the 8:00 am appointment this morning we went done to Ft Smith to the CURE facilities (http://www.westarkchurchofchrist.org/cure/ ) on Monday to get pictures of hospital supplies and equipments as well as any First Aid supplies they might have we could take with us. We are going to try and see if we can get the medical ministers in Fiji and Vanuatu interested in paying for the shipment of containers of equipment and supplies for their countries. We cannot afford to pay for these shipments but we will try to get them to see what a bargain "free" equipment and supplies can be if they only have to pay for the shipping.

God bless the brethren there at CURE for what they do and if you know of any companies or hospitals that have surplus equipment or supplies or salvageable equipment and supplies that can be re-purposed for the Lord's work rather than being dumped in landfills please get in touch with CURE. Mat Griffin (479 883-4096) matgriffin2@cox.net.

Our plans - Lord willing - your help providing
With the plans we have (Lord willing) we ask for your continued consideration of the needs we have in this work. We see this as the Lord showing us that He is still with us and perhaps "piece meal" building the school at this time is the best way (we have not won the lottery nor been included in anyone's large estate). If we can get the land cleared, fruit trees and crops planted and a caretaker house build before we have to come back for the prostate surgery then that will get us along the road to making the school self-supporting. This would also give us funds to continue to build facilities as we need them.  If we could take over $50,000 when we go back May 16th Phase one could be done.

By doing the development "piece meal" we might also not need monthly operating funds for the school and perhaps by the time we need monthly support the gardens and fruit trees will be suppling funds back into the school.

If anyone reading this would like to transfer IRA (RMD) funds or stock to this account (which will directly benefit The Christian Institute of Biblical Studies in Vanuatu) you need to talk with your broker and give him this name and number:

United Missouri Bank (UMB)
300 Grant St
Carthage Mo 64836
A/C# H8P033855
DTC# 0226

Please continue to pray that the cancer is manageable, the legs will heal and that we will secure funds to start clearing land and building for the school when we get back.

Thank the lord for healing and providing what we need.

Thank you so much for all of you who are praying for us, supporting us and have contributed to our needs. God bless you! Thank you for your prayers!

Thank you Lord!

Grace & Peace

Tobey & Kathy
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Contributions for the Huffs, the Bible school and house can be sent to:

Huffs/Bible School
c/ Mt Hope church of Christ
2830 Mt Hope Rd
Webb City MO 64870
or
Tobey & Kathy Huff
c/ 2730 E. 24th St
Joplin. MO 64804

Ph: 417 434-8367

Web Site: http://www.oceania-outreach.com/Index.html