JansmaJournal

2008-11-10T08:52:00.004+10:00

As Thanksgiving Day approaches we want to express to each one of you how much your prayers, support, and gifts have meant to us this year. We are thankful God has provided such a loving and caring support team.

We continue to see growth in Jessica's recovery process. Although we are encouraged by what we are seeing, we would ask that you continue to pray for us as parents that we would have wisdom and discernment to know how to handle each situation we face.

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Prayer and Praise

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* Keep praying for Jessica's complete recovery.
* Pray for our plans to return to PNG, possibly in June.
* Pray our kids would continue to be "little lights for Jesus" at school.
* Pray for Kayla's health as she has had a continual struggle with allergies or colds since we have arrived here in Missouri.
* Pray for time to heal as a family.
* Pray for wisdom as we work out the details of what our health insurance will cover regarding Jessica's medical bills.

* Praise the Lord for many of the opportunities the kids have had to share about Papua New Guinea at school.
* Praise the Lord the kids have developed good friendships here in Missouri.
* Praise the Lord for Jessica's improvement.

Praise

2008-09-17T14:50:00.001+10:00

Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

We want to once again let you know how much your partnership with us has meant during these difficult months. Your prayers, packages, emails, and financial support have been a blessing to us. These gifts of love have encouraged us to continually wait upon the Lord for strength in every struggle we face.

Thank you so much for your prayers on behalf of Jessica. We are encouraged that she has been able to improve so rapidly. Her counselor is amazed with the progress she has made, and has said "God has worked a miracle." Please continue to pray Jessica would completely yield her will to the control of the Holy Spirit, so she can find victory in her remaining struggles.

The kids started school here in Camdenton the middle of August. Going from a small missionary school in PNG to a big school in the USA has been quite a transition for them. The first few weeks they seemed overwhelmed, but are now getting used to the routine and are enjoying it. We were so excited to learn that most of the kids teachers are believers. Both guidance counselors at Jessica's school are believers as well, and the Lord has used them to be instrumental in the process of helping to ensure Jessica's transition went smoothly. Even though the kids really miss life at Lapilo, they are blooming where God has planted them. They have had many opportunities to share with their classmates about life in Papua New Guinea. This has given them an excellent opportunity to share Christ in a personal way. Please continue to pray they would be courageous little missionaries at their school.

Lord willing, if Jessica continues to improve, we should be able to return to Papua New Guinea next summer. Please begin praying to that end.

Sincerely, Phil and Kristi Jansma

P.S.

We hope to post some more recent pics of the family on our blog at www.jansmajournal.com later this week.

Continued Progress...

2008-07-20T14:05:00.001+10:00

We are so grateful to the Lord for his continued hand of protection on Jessica’s recovery. With each passing week, we continue to see little improvements which have been a real encouragement to our hearts. Jessica has improved much in the last few weeks, but the road to complete recovery is going to take some time.

We praise the Lord that He has provided temporary housing and ministry opportunities for us to remain here at the NTM facilities while Jessica is receiving her treatment.

Improving

2008-06-30T09:12:00.001+10:00

Thank you so much for your prayers for us! The past month has been the hardest time of our lives; yet God has faithfully sustained our family and given strength for each new day. We continually stand in amazement at the Lord’s provision in treatment for Jessica. Her therapist is a strong believer who has great insight into how the brain works. We have learned much over this past week about the damage trauma can do to the brain. Briefly stated, the left brain controls logic and reasoning and the right controls emotions. After a traumatic experience the center can “short circuit” so that emotions and logic don’t match up. The brain has to be retrained. This first stage of treatment Jessica is going through is called EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). We have seen an incredible improvement just in the short amount of time we have been here. For example, Jessica has gone from passing out over thirty times a day to averaging about five times a day. Please continue to pray for Jessica, and for wisdom for us as we care for her. Thank you for your faithful prayers, financial gifts, and many notes of encouragement. The Lord has used you to be a blessing to our family!

Our New Address:

Phil and Kristi Jansma
134 Main Dr.
Roach, MO 65787

Our new phone number:

573-317-8545

Moving to Missouri

2008-06-16T12:30:00.000+10:00

We had a safe trip back from Mayo Clinic last night. The doctors were able to rule out most everything medically---(there are a few test results still not in.) Our prayer request from last time has been answered as the Lord has led us to a lady serving with NTM who has much experience in dealing with children with PTSD. The Lord miraculously worked out all the details for us to temporarily move to the NTM Language Institute in Camdenton, Missouri while Jessica gets the help she needs. Housing and a ministry for Phil in the computer services department there on the center have also been arranged. We stand amazed at all the Lord has done this week to remind us He is still in control and He loves Jessica even more than we do. Please continue to pray for strength as we care for Jessica through the long days and many sleepless nights. Please pray also for the other kids as watching Jessica like this has been emotionally draining for them. Thank you for faithfully standing with us in prayer, and for your many notes of encouragement.

Symptoms Return...

2008-06-12T04:57:00.000+10:00

After being her normal self for three days, Jessica began having severe symptoms again this morning. Please pray for strength (spiritual, emotional, and physical) as we do our best to care for her. Tomorrow morning she will be sedated for a lumbar puncture. She is also on stand by for a consult with the Infectious Disease team. Please pray she will be able to be seen tomorrow, as her scheduled appointment isn’t until July 3rd.

Exam Week...

2008-06-10T13:36:00.000+10:00

Jessica’s symptoms were at their worst during a psychological evaluation on Saturday morning. However, by that afternoon she had made a drastic improvement. During the past two days, she has continued to improve. Today was a busy day at Mayo with an EEG and several hours of neurological evaluations. The rest of this week she has appointments with the Infectious Disease team, as well as a lumbar puncture, an exam with a neurological ophthalmologist, and another appointment with the head neurologist on Friday afternoon at which time we are hoping they have gathered enough information to give a final diagnosis. Thank you for your faithful prayers for Jessica. Although we miss the other four kids tremendously, we are so thankful they are being well taken care of by our family in Ohio. Please continue to pray for them as well.

Mayo Clinic help...

2008-06-08T21:54:00.001+10:00

Jessica had a rough trip, but we arrived safely. We spent all of today at Mayo Clinic being seen by a team of psychologists and neurologists. They confirmed to us that Jessica is indeed suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, stemming from the carjacking and robbery she experienced in PNG, They do feel there are medical problems going on in her body as well. The neurologist ordered a series of tests which will be done throughout this next week, and the Infectious Disease team will get involved too. The Lord has provided a wonderful couple for us to stay with who live just a few blocks from Mayo. We praise the Lord for paving the way for us to come here! Please pray with us that if there is anything medically going on, it will be discovered here. Also pray for wisdom as we search for a female pediatric Christian psychologist who has experience in treating children with PTSD. Thank you for your faithful prayers during this very difficult time in our lives. We believe our God is faithful, and He will see us through!

Click here http://jansmajournal.com/2007_12_01_archive.html if you would like more information on that carjacking.

Jessica's Condition Worsens...

2008-06-07T02:25:00.000+10:00

Please continue to pray for Jessica. Her condition continues to worsen. We praise the Lord the doctor who saw her this morning was able to call and get her into the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota as soon as we can get there.

Phil and Kristi

New Update...please pray!

2008-06-04T03:38:00.000+10:00

We are in the process of taking Jessica to Children's Hospital by way of the hospital ambulance.

She is hallucinating, and having seizure like symptoms. Jessica is not herself.

The doctors think it could be caused from her current medication she is on.

Please pray for wisdom.

Results from Duke Medical Center....

2008-05-25T00:56:00.002+10:00

Jessica has seen the doctors at Duke Medical Center . They have ruled out many things including migraine headaches, neuralgia, a seizure disorder, and any sort of tumor. As the questions have continued to be asked, and the neurologist has continued to look at all the symptoms, it has been determined this stems from the original ear infection. The pain appears to be a result of her body's inability to "shut off" the pain impulse to that area -- it is considered a hypersensitivity to the pain impulse. They have been able to put her on some medication which we are praying will "reset" that response.

Also, we will be seeing a Pediatric Dentist on Tuesday as there appears to be a dental component that is contributing to the pain in her ear. We have realized in the midst of all of the pain episodes (and discussing this with the neurologist), that Jessica has been clenching her teeth, and she grinds them at night as well which can significantly contribute to the pain she is experiencing.

Thanks for your faithful prayers for Jessica.

MRI Results...

2008-05-19T00:41:00.001+10:00

This week we received the results of Jessica's latest MRI. It showed no sign of mastoiditis. Yesterday the Lord opened a door for us to pursue getting some answers through a Christian neurologist at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina . We praise Him for working out all the details of this special appointment on Tuesday. We will be staying with some wonderful friends of ours who live just an hour away from the medical center. Jessica's pains have continued to worsen this week. Please continue to pray this "mystery" would be solved soon.

MRI Scheduled

2008-05-19T00:39:00.000+10:00

We took Jessica to the doctor today, and he scheduled an MRI for tomorrow afternoon. This type is different than any she has had in the past, and focuses on the mastoid bone and surrounding tissue. Thanks for praying!

Kayla's First Birthday Party!

2008-05-12T20:40:00.013+10:00

In the middle of what seemed like a barrage of doctors visits for Jessica, we finally found some time to celebrate Kayla's first year. We thank God for blessing us with her little life. She fills our days with laughter as we watch her excitement for learning new things each day.

She thoroughly has enjoyed her gifts and amazed us all by her ability to devour a whole Elmo ice cream cake by herself.

An Updated Prayer Request for Jessica...

2008-05-12T11:12:00.013+10:00

Please continue to pray for wisdom and guidance as we try to find help for Jessica's severe ear pains. Her symptoms continue to be very irregular. She has good days and bad days. Lately, the pains have been increasing again. We think her body may be resistant to this antibiotic, as she is complaining about an increase in pain around her mastoid bone. We plan to call the doctor first thing Monday morning, hoping he will want to see her right away. We do have an appointment scheduled for Friday at 2:00pm.

From what we understand, mastoiditis is one of the hardest infections to get rid of in the body. Please pray we can eliminate it before it turns into meningitis or a brain abscess (caused from the infection leaking into the different parts of the brain).

We continue to have "issues" with our mail server, so if you ever do get disconnected from us for a long period of time, please do not forget to bookmark our website at www.jansmajournal.com for the latest information where we will be posting more pics, video clips, and blogs about our ministry.

Go to www.jansmajournal.com to find out how our Mother's Day was so special...

Mother's Day Surprise!

2008-05-12T09:41:00.010+10:00

On Saturday night Kristi had the opportunity to attend a Mother/Daughter banquet with her mother and our oldest three girls. She was given the special recognition of being "Mother of the Year". What an honor it was to receive this special attention! She feels so undeserving!

She was given a beautiful bouquet of red roses and a framed poem written just for her.

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More Testing...

2008-05-05T05:32:00.000+10:00

We want to thank all of you who have been praying for wisdom and direction as we try to find a solution to Jessica's pain.

Recently, we were made aware of a doctor who specializes in "hard to solve" cases. We were grateful that upon hearing Jessica's story, he arranged to see her immediately. What an answer to prayer that was!

Our first visit lasted three hours. The doctor was very thorough, and did some additional testing which enabled him to conclude that Jessica quite possibly has chronic mastoiditis, along with a viral infection, and parasites. He prescribed a number of medications and nutritional supplements for her to take over the next month. Time will tell if this diagnosis is correct.

Although we still don't have any clear answers, we were encouraged this doctor said he wouldn't stop until he found a solution to her pain. This was a huge emotional relief to Jessica who was already wondering if she was going to have to deal with this pain for the rest of her life.

These are difficult times for our family, yet God is giving us the strength we need for each day. We praise Him for His faithfulness in our lives. Please continue to pray for healing for Jessica. It is our prayer the Lord would use this in her young life to grow her closer to Himself.

Latest Update on Jessica

2008-04-30T13:14:00.000+10:00

Jessica was released from the hospital this afternoon. Many tests were done over the past 24 hours. We have mixed feelings as we are happy to report that nothing life-threatening was discovered; however, we are disappointed the doctors were unable to provide us with a clear explanation as to why Jessica continues to have these pain attacks. The neurologist started her on a medication for a possible neuralgia though her symptoms don't all match up to indicate this is her problem. He feels the chances of this medication working for her are slim, so he recommended she attend some special sessions on developing pain management skills in order to learn to cope with ongoing severe pain. Jessica has a follow-up visit with him in a few weeks.

As you can imagine, our hearts are heavy as we contemplate the ramifications of not having a clear diagnosis and treatment. Please continue to pray for wisdom as we consider the next step.

Admitted...

2008-04-28T20:53:00.000+10:00

At the ER, Jessica had a pain attack when the doctor was in the room this time. We praise the Lord they decided to admit her and start running some tests. We will see the neurologist in a few hours.

Thanks for praying...

Going to the ER...

2008-04-28T13:06:00.000+10:00

Jessica's pains are once again five minutes apart so we are headed out the door to the ER at Children's Hospital in hopes that maybe we can speed up that visit with the neurologist.

Please pray we can see a neurologist tonight.

Appointment Scheduled...

2008-04-27T07:37:00.000+10:00

We praise the Lord Jessica was able to get an appointment with a neurologist on May 7th. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Appointment with ENT specialist...

2008-04-22T15:51:00.002+10:00

We want to thank everyone who prayed for our appointment today with the ENT specialist from Children's Hospital. He was very caring and knowledgeable. After examining Jessica, looking at her MRI and CT scan, and listening to her history, he felt certain these extreme sporadic pains are neurological in nature. He is in the process of trying to get an expedited appointment with a neurologist. Please pray we will be able to get an appointment soon.

We are thankful Jessica's pain attacks have subsided substantially. While she continues to have them, they are much more manageable now. Though we still don't have any clear answers, we are encouraged by today's visit, and feel we are one step closer to a resolution.

We've Arrived...

2008-04-18T07:01:00.001+10:00

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support for our family. The Lord has used you to be such a blessing to us during these difficult days. We want to thank you for all the gifts which allowed us to purchase our plane tickets. This has been a HUGE answer to prayer, and a testimony to God's faithfulness.

Thank you for your prayers for our trip back to the States. The flights were long, but overall things went well. After spending over thirty hours flying, we were reminded of just how far away PNG really is!

Last night we took Jessica to the Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. We were there for six hours and met many wonderful doctors and nurses. After an evening of listening to Jessica's history, examining her, and reviewing MRIs and CT scans, the doctors didn't have any clear answers. They feel she needs to be seen by someone who is willing to do some "detective work" in eliminating potential causes. They sent us home with a number to call the following morning to set up an appointment with an ENT pediatric specialist from Children's Hospital. We were disappointed when we called this number and discovered that the soonest opening was for sometime in May or early June. After being on the phone all morning, Phil was finally able to secure an appointment due to a recent cancellation. So Jessica's appointment is scheduled for this coming Monday at 3:00pm. This,we believe, was a direct answer to prayer, and another reminder that God is guiding us step by step.

We will keep you updated as we gain new information.

Update on Jessica...

2008-04-14T00:33:00.002+10:00

Your emails, phone calls, and gifts have been a huge encouragement to us, while we waited anxiously for the week to pass, hoping all the while that Jessica would not take a turn for the worse.

Jessica continues with the same pain for the most part. There are new pains that are starting to be more continual in her right ear, while at the same time the severe painful attacks have grown a little further apart for which we are grateful. We are praying that she will continue with these attacks long enough so that the doctors at the Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH can help diagnose what is going on.

Many of you have asked for our itinerary to "track" us as we traveled...so I have converted all the local times to one time zone to make it a little easier for tracking purposes.

- Eastern Standard Time -

Sunday 10pm - Kristi and the kids will be arriving to Cairns, Australia.

Monday 3am - Family leaves for Sydney, Australia.

Monday 1pm - Leave for Chicago

Tuesday 7 pm - Arrive in Chicago

Tuesday 10 pm - Arrive in Columbus

We will be without email communication for the next few days until we arrive in Columbus...when we get back to Ohio and get set back up again, we will be sure to post another update.

Sincerely, Phil Jansma

Please Pray!

2008-04-10T23:24:00.000+10:00

We had our appointment with the ENT Doctor here in Cairns, Australia today and it has been made very clear to us that there is nothing further that can be done here in Australia that we are comfortable with. Jessica continues to experience the excruciating pain and is on heavy medication but with no relief.

Consequently, based on our advisor's recommendation, we are making plans to head back to Columbus, OH, where we plan to get Jessica checked into the Children's Hospital as soon as we can. We were hoping it wouldn't come to this, but we find no other options on this side of the world that can help her at this time. Because of the possible longevity in diagnoses and treatment we will all be returning until something is discovered.

Please pray with us regarding our financial needs. We have depleted our savings and emergency funds due to the other emergency flights and procedures which have already occurred. This new anticipated cost is approximately $15,000 and that is even by waiting for an April 14th flight out - any sooner would double that cost.

We know that God has all the resources required to make this trip...or choose to heal Jessica and completely relieve all her pain and discomfort. Also please pray in anticipation that the Lord will provide relief to her pain during the flight back to the states if it is required.

Thank you so much for your many prayers.

Please contact us if you would be interested in giving a donation towards this need.