Date: July 12th 2010

This is an update to the prayer request from Beth Puffenberger Mann last week.
Chase was with a UM mission group and dove into shallow water resulting in serious injuries.
This latest news comes from Gary Lewis, Beth's cousin.

Mary Ellen DeHaven






Chase tolerated two reductions of his ventilator
pressure settings today with excellent oxygen levels and improved lung sounds. He spent the night on the lowest settings and has been promised to be fitted
for a trach valve collar in the morning – an all important step towards “food”.
Pierre Malherbe, one of Chase’s close cross country teammates, was able to visit
with Chase this afternoon.. Pierre was born in South Africa, and has recently returned from a visit there. He brought Chase a hat and one of those noisy horns from the World Cup Games
(the ones we have all been complaining about listening to while we watch the games
on TV!).
Chase’s MRI showed a bruised spinal cord (thankfully
not severed) with some swelling remaining both above and below the site of injury. This is exactly what Dr. Levi anticipated at this point in time, which is
why we have to have patience. We continue to be told it is too early to know what healing or functions Chase
can regain, and that this often takes months or even up to a year to determine. We remain hopeful and pray that as the swelling decreases and he begins the
rehab process, Chase will recover. We are also aware of God’s almighty power and presence in our lives, and His
ability to heal.
As we walk around the buildings surrounding Jackson
Memorial Hospital, we pass the Bob Hope Parkinson’s Research Institute, Baucom Eye
Research Institute, Louis Pope Life Center (where the Miami Project for paralysis
is housed), and building after building of other specialized research centers. And we are just seeing those centers that are collected in one small place
in this world. We cannot help but acknowledge that our life here on this great earth is filled
with trials, trouble and pain. God’s healing presence and love is needed by so many. That realization is overwhelming, and we can only lean on Him and draw our strength each day – not because we are strong, but because we are weak.

It is also here, in this difficult place, that we witness the goodness and
comfort of God. Hopefully some of our wise and more “enlightened” ministers can add better understanding to all our difficult questions over time. Just be assured that we experience the closeness of God in our private time,
and feel His love as he uses so many of you to love, support and encourage us. We are forever grateful for this Goodness of life, and for you. And we desire to be bold enough to continue to ask for God’s complete healing
for Chase.

In His care,

Deb and Larry