His kind provision--sorghum

Having to keep a gluten free diet in a developing country can be a bit daunting.  But God has provided every step of the way.  Our recent find was at the feed store as we were getting bunny food.  Having never seen the grain in the photo I immediately asked what it was.  "Food for doves," was the reply.  Hmmm.  We took a few grains home and sure enough, it's sorghum!  Sorghum flour is used a lot in gluten free cooking in the states. It's a whole grain, high in fiber and iron and rich in antioxidants.  Bring it on!  We went back, bought 2 kilos (he said his wife also grinds it up and adds it to her bread), and brought it home and ground it and sifted it.  I'm so thankful to have another option besides rice and corn flour.  Hooray!

A kind provision--I think rice is rather nice!

Our oldest daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease this summer. Her symptoms weren't too severe--a tummy ache now and then--but through a blood test and an endoscopy the doctor diagnosed her in about 3 weeks. (That is a small miracle in itself!) Her treatment is this--no ingesting gluten (wheat, barley, and rye) ever again. It's much better than having to take drugs in my opinion, but a life change nonetheless.

I came back to our country (nicknamed "The bread basket of the world") armed with new recipes, cookbooks, a few non-gluten flours, and a 1980 Vita-mixer powerhorse that we could grind up rice, almonds, etc. We discovered some good recipes that work well here--a delicious almond cake, pancakes, and lemon coffee cake. However, getting the flours mixed (if I ran out of my imported mixes) took a little bit of time. Grinding up the rice and then straining it so that we wouldn't have any chewy bits in our cakes. Mixing the cornstarch and other flours along with my rice flour and a little bit of almond flour (ground through the blender AND the coffee grinder) for some protein. Yep, a little bit of time.

Yesterday I was at the neighborhood corner store and I found this package of ground rice flour! I have never seen these even in the big stores in the big cities! I almost shouted. The manager came out of a side door as I was fingering these bags and I held them up with a big smile and great thanks! He said that they had just come in that day and promised that he will always stock them for me--ground rice flour and rice couscous. Wow! Only a few pennies more than the regular rice I was buying. I feel like these were hand-picked for us to make our days a little smoother. Again, thank you Lord.

Medical updates

I was given a "Go in peace" command by my Infectious Disease doctor at my last appointment on Sept. 15. My lung cavity was smaller and I came off of the medicine. (yah!!) I left with an awareness of being in God's hands, He knows my beginning and end and gives me breath in-between. He has given me true peace through His Son, Jesus.

B has done well with her gluten free eating. I'm still figuring out how to monitor cross-contamination in a country that sells a lot of bulk foods and when the wind blows the right way, it may cover the split peas with wheat or put the noodles in the popcorn. I'm doing the diet with her and have noticed an increase in energy myself. I'm thankful for my Winfield friend who gave us lots of yummy recipes and poured blessings of GF flour on us!!

Patrick has struggled most recently with severe migraines. Will you please join us in prayer that the Lord would be glorified in the relief of these?

Enjoying the "rain"

Medical help where we live reminds me of a desert sometimes--cracked earth longing for some rain. Hurting people longing for some answers, some expertise care, or some money to pay for medicine.

I feel so humbled and thankful that our family has been receiving good medical care since we've been back in the states. Two of us had very specific tests done and we are enjoying the "rain" that doctors have provided us through the Lord's care.

My last post updated my last visit with my doctor regarding the valley fever. A recent email from my dr. indicated that my fungal levels are normal and the lung cavity has gotten much smaller. I'm allowing my cautious self to rejoice!

Our oldest, B, has had on and off tummy aches for a few years. This past year they really weren't that bad but because we were returning to the States a dear friend encouraged getting it checked out. We are so glad we did! After multiple tests and an endoscopy we found that she has Celiac Disease. She needs to maintain a lifelong gluten-free (no wheat, barley or rye) diet and her intestine will heal itself. While this will be an adjustment dietarily, we are so thankful to God to have a diagnosis.