This blog has been created to fill you in on some recent news and request urgent prayer.
Over the last few weeks, Mari has been having some tests done on two lumps on her neck. She hasn't been feeling well (sore throat, fevers, cough...) and when the lumps appeared she was concerned so she went to her doctor to have them tested.
Today, Mari's doctors told her that she is seriously ill with all of her symptoms pointing to "Lymphoma", also known as "Hodgkins Disease". However, they have had a difficult time obtaining enough cells from the biopsy for a clear diagnosis. They expect to have a firm diagnosis by the weekend. Either way, Mari is quite ill and they would like to begin treatment urgently.
This news comes as a huge shock for everyone. Mari's mum, Rhi, arrived from England today to be with her. Mari is trying to digest the news and prepare herself for a major change in her life. She's expected to need two years of treatment. If her doctor says she is well enough to travel, she will be leaving for England to begin treatment there.
Mari is being well looked after and is staying with family friends. She would have very much liked to have emailed you all personally, but everything has happened so fast that contacting everyone directly just hasn't been possible. As you can imagine, this is a lot of information for her to digest so suddenly and she would really appreciate your prayers.
We have set up this blog so that you can leave messages for her. In the wake of all that's happened this will be the best way for you to get your messages to her, rather than phone or email.
Prayer is the crucial next step. We will begin around the clock, 24/7 prayer for Mari in NZ & England. We hope to have a shared online calendar in the next few days for you to use to sign up for prayer slots. In the meantime, you can email Erin on erinlucas@ywam.org.nz.
Leah will be organising ways for care packages to be delivered to Mari, so if you have a treat that you would like to send her to cheer her up please email: leahburson@gmail.com.
Thank you for your prayers, we know Mari and her family really appreciate it!!
22 comments:
Dear Mari
We are sending you our dearest love as you begin this journey. We will be praying for you every day Mari asking God to squeeze you with His all abundant love so that you can feel His arms around you like a loving Dad.We appreciate all the unique and special gifts that you bring to our community Mari. Along with many others, John and I will be asking God to do great and mighty things for you. Love and blessings to you today Mari. And a big kiss XXX
Darling Mari, i am so shocked to hear your news - at this moment i am virtually speechless but i wanted you to know my love, commitment and prayers are with you from this moment on for as long as you need them. i and Insight are with you. love to you and your mum. xxpauline
Mari, Tina gave us the news tonight. Our hearts and prayer are so with you!!! We will keep in touch through this and through Tina, Erin etc. HEAPS of Love going out to you... Dean & Jo.
Dear Mari, i'm so sorry to hear your news. I pray that God will be with you in this time and bring you great comfort and healing! I hope that you in turn can bring comfort to others you meet and be a great inspiration to them.
With love, Laura x
Hi Mari,
So shocked to hear your news, so praying that Our God, will be with you and comfort you,giving His peace, and surrounding you with His Love at this point in your life. Will continue to pray daily, for strength.
God Bless,
Much Love Tina Perry xxx
Hi Mari, You may or may not remember me but word seems to be travelling fast and I guess that means prayers are too. I'm in the States doing a church planting internship so will spread the word to anyone that wants to pray too.
Euan Crane
www.6cranes.com
Dear Mari,
I am a friend of your dad. I will be praying for you - based on Ps 20and 121. May he answer you in your time of need... May he be your shield and your protector." You are very special person whom God has not abandoned. May you know his strength and peace during this trial.
Your bro in Christ,
John Becker
Hi Mari - Jim here. My heart goes out to you as Alison and I have always had such a high regard for you even from the early days with your cheeky smile and bouncy curls. I remember in particular a holiday in North Wales and baby sitting for you and Tom sleeping in a cupboard!
Don't forget that God is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. Ps 103. I pray that you will have an intimate walk with our loving heavenly father and that you will know his bountiful grace and mercy.
Hey Mari.
Sorry to hear about your news. You in a great contry for people blessing you in every way! Praying that God will become more real through your weakness's.
3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5 NIV
It has been a while since we were at school together, but I pray that we will see you soon either here in the UK or someday in NZ!
Much love
Tom Newton-Smith
Hey Mari Day Day - i just wrote something & lost it.....Babe i'm just letting you know that i'm thinking of you & of course praying for you and your whanau. You have so many more adventures & history to make in your life girl. I ask that God will do a complete miracle and healing in your body. I look at the miracle in Phils healing from this (Euncies hubby) & believe for it in your life too. Love you heaps Mari. Kia Kaha, Kia Toa, Kia Manawanui - arohanui mai, Ange xx
Dear Mari
You will be in my thoughts and prayers everyday. Amy and I will be asking God to pour out all his strength, love and blessing on you as you walk through this. You are a generous and loving person with such a sweet spirit and God will repay you with like kind. We be praying for miraculous and marvelous things!
Hey Beautiful,
Just wanted to let you know that we are thinking and praying for you and sending you our love and support. You're an amazing women Mari and we know God has his hand on you'r life.
Love to you,
xo
Carey and Josh
Hey there Mari, Carly and I are with you right now in spirit sister. We are praying and thinking of you and are for you. Love C&W xx
Dearest Mariella...
We are thinking of you Mari and love you so very much. So shocked to hear your news but know you will get through this quickly.
It is so reassuring to know you have so many people caring for you over there. Love to your mum, your family and to Phil. Please let us know if we can do ANYTHING.
You are in our prayers and thoughts every second of every day. Stay strong Mari.
Love you so very much.
Big kisses, Angharad, Rich, Sian and John xxx
Hi Mari,
I have just heard your news and all my thoughts and best wishes go out to you. From the blog it is obvious you have an amazingly supportive group of people around you who are all there for you and your family. It is obvious everyone loves you loads in NZ, as do we back in England.
You have always been one of the happiest people I have met, and although I can't imagine how horrible it must be for you at the moment, I know you will come through it and use it to make you a stronger person. Everyone around you will be and wants to be there to help you through this and I'm sure everyone will be strong for you when you need us to be.
I know we haven't been in touch for a little while but I consider you a good friend and wish that this illness will be cured as smoothly and speedily as possible for you. I hope we can see you soon and well and we will do everything we can to help (please ask if there is anything at all small or big!) and Jon and I will pray for you here in London.
Lots of love
Cath
xxxx
Hi Mari,
You told me you were unwell, but I never realised just how unwell you were.
May you be blessed in knowing that many people are praying for you at this very difficult time.
As one who has recently come through issues - it was knowing that people were praying for me that gave me the strength to get through.
I hope that with you knowing that so many people are praying for you, that this will give you the strength to face this illness full on and to fight with all your energy.
You are such a beautiful person (both inside and out), and God knows this!!!
My prayers are with you at this very trying time.
All the very best
Allysa
Mari, stay smiling. stay positive. We are all thinking about you every minute of everyday. Wish i could fly over and give you a big hug but i know you are in the best hands with your Mum, Phil and your wonderful NZ friends. love you loads. big kiss. Nic & all the Bradleys xxx
Its latish on Thursday night Mari. The fam have been over and we talked about you and wondered how you were doing tonight. It's such a trial for you Mari, and we are praying again today that you will truly experience the kind of strength within that only comes from God. You know God is with you and you trust Him with your life. John and I send our dearest love to you tonight, also to phil and your mum. If your mum wants a quiet place to stay at, she is welcome to come out to Papakura, its just a bit of a hike on the motorway, and its not like the M1. Hugs. x
Hi Mari
How you doing today. Im so glad you are able to be out of hospital for a while, and John and I continue to pray that you will quickly have this behind you. Love you Mari and thinking about you so often.
Hi Mari,
Guess I don't have a lot to say except to echo the sentiments that everyone else has expressed. I'll try and add my name to that prayer thingy (struggling for some reason)and do what I can to help on that front.
You're a special lady Mari and I can't imagine how tumultuous the past few weeks have been!? Just so glad you've got so many amazing people in your life, and an even more awesome God who's got your back! Peace out sis.
Lots of love
Jamie Lloyd
Praise God! That's fantastic. I'm so glad it's not quite as bad as we all feared. And you can fly home. How wonderful, what a relief. Make sure you eat plenty of Galaxy for me when you get home!! We're sending you home with many prayers and lots of love Katie Peirce (nee Bath)XXX
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