Hello Everyone,
First of all, thanks for your prayers and for all the loving ways you have shown concern for Mark and for Nan and their family. Mark had surgery to remove a brain tumor today and I'm glad to report that it was very successful. Mark is now recovering in the surgical ICU and is expected to move to a regular room tomorrow. It's possible that Mark could be home by the weekend. We will keep you posted as things develop.
The pathology report will not be ready until next Thursday. However, they did find that the tumor originated in the brain and had not metastacized from somewhere else in his body. When the report is in, they will begin to make decisions about any follow up.
Kris, Mark's daughter, made it in safely to the hospital from Thailand at about 11:30 this morning. She was able to have a good visit with Mark before he was taken into surgery.
This morning, before surgery, Mark said that he had peace--and he knew it was because of all the prayer from his friends. Thank you for your ministry to the Garises during these days.

Pastor Tom Delk
7:29 p.m., May 31

May 30, 2006


Dear Friends,

Please pray for my father, Mark Garis, who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. He will be having surgery tomorrow, Wednesday, at University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. He had no symptoms until a seizure led to a car accident last Thursday in which he was miraculously not injured. I had a wonderful time last month when he, my mom, and my nephew and niece came to visit me in Thailand.

I am traveling home and will arrive in New York city at 6:30 Wednesday morning. A friend will then drive me directly to the hospital in Philadelphia. We do not know the time of the surgery. Please pray that I will be able to get to the hospital with time to visit with my dad before he goes in for surgery. Pray for the doctors as they operate and then determine next steps to take.

God is good even in the midst of our trials. I have many things to be thankful for over these past few days, and God's hand has so clearly at work. Most of those details will need to wait for another email, but I just want to give you one. John and Becky Winger just arrived here in Ubon yesterday for a 3-week exploratory trip. We had various plans made for what they would do during their time here. Becky is a teacher, and we wanted to give them some opportunities to teach English. Do you see where this is going? Becky will be stepping in for me and teaching at Benchama school starting tomorrow. God is good.

Thank you so much for your prayers.
Kris

May 29, 2006

You may have heard that Mark suffered his first seizure while driving home alone from a Missions meeting near Harrisburg on May 25. After being air-lifted to Reading Hospital, he suffered another. Further tests have identified a tumor on the right side of his brain. He has been transferred to the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. A highly regarded surgeon there plans to perform surgery on Wednesday, May 31. There are some risks involved, of course. Mark is very alert and cooperative. All of his vital signs, heart readings, etc. remain very good also. Would you please join our family in praying for the surgery and his recovery? Kris will be flying home from Thailand, hoping to get here mid-day of the surgery before he goes to the ER. It's very close timing, but the fastest it can possibly happen. We appreciate your concern and prayers.
Nan

Thur, 25 May 2006

To all-
Mark Garis was in a car accident, while returning from Grantham this afternoon. He is in the ICU at Reading Hospital awaiting test results. Please pray for Mark--for his recovery and for discernment for the doctors. Pray also for Nan, Jeff and Kris and the whole family. We will keep you informed as things develop. Thanks for joining Jesus in the work of intercessory prayer.

God's Peace,
Pastor Tom