Firsts and Fifth sounds to me like football, and while it is the fall football season, we are not a big football family considering the last 13 years in Thailand, but we certainly are a team.
The last several days have been very full for Team Hirt. We moved into our new housing, and golly, it is a huge blessing to finally be settled and through the generosity of a very loving family we have far more space, and beautiful space it is, than we need.
Yesterday, Monday 8/28, was both Chris’s fifth round of chemo and the kids first day of school! We are so thankful to the Lord for guiding us to today!
We met with our doctor this visit and due to the increased neuropathy for Chris in his feet they removed one of the chemo drugs for this treatment. As the doctor articulated there is a delicate balance between maintaining long term health after the chemo and allowing the chemo to do its work. Due to a very positive result in his last PET scan and the increased neuropathy in his feet (which is affecting running and sitting for a long time) it is best for Chris’s long term health to not take one of the chemo drugs in hope to protect his feet for the future. We are very grateful to the Lord for an attentive and responsive medical team. His bloodwork was good, also.
Luis is in 8th, Lucas is in 7th, and Emalene is in 4th.
They all went towards their first day with excitement, mixed with a little fear, as well as a few shivers from the cool air with which they are not familiar. The boys shared that they found “locker buddies” pretty quickly and that was an encouragement to them. Emalene said she really likes her teacher and is already working hard towards her first project.
Please join us in prayer and trusting God for these points:
-for kind and considerate friends for our children
-for perseverance for our kids as they balance sports and getting used to a different school
-for energy for Chris and I as we navigate his treatment and supporting our kids
-for discernment for what fall activities to engage and which ones to let pass
We continue to thank God:
-for the family that shared their home with us, may the Lord bless them
-for the families that are sharing cars with us, may the Lord bless them
-for the many who are helping with meals, may the Lord bless them
-for the friends who came to help us move, may the Lord bless them
-for those that have and continue to support our ministry with Wycliffe, may the Lord bless them
Team Hirt is so grateful to the Lord for his goodness and kindness!
Praise God!
What a great report! God is good!
Praying on ! Praising God for His provision & faithfulness. Praying for encouraging friends, for perseverance & balance, for energy, stamina, discernment, for Chris’ responsiveness to treatment with minimal side effects & for complete healing. We give God the glory. Thankful that He is in control & with us each step along the journey!
Praying on! Praising God for His provisions & faithfulness. Praying for encouraging friends, perseverance & balance, energy, stamina, discernment, good responses for Chris to the chemo, with minimal side effects, & complete healing ❤️🩹 We give God the glory. Thankful He is in control & with us each step along the way.
How can they be in 8th, 7th and 4th?! I remember adorable little Emmalene running around when you would come help out at school!! Praying they all have a great year and that you all have peace, especially as you enjoy the space God has given you!
Hi Becca and Chris,
Praying for you and your kids from my country of service. May the Lord give you all the encouragement and help that you need. May He bless you with friends when you need them. May He continue to work in Chris’ body to restore him to good health!
In Him, Hella
So many transitions for you people these past few months! May God give you a peace such that you are not overwhelmed. May you settle in to your new home and the new school and Chris’ new medical protocol. God’s grace be with you all.
Singing hallelujah with you and praying for strength and victory.
Thank you for your beautiful posts. We praise God with you for the many gifts that you have received, and we continue to trust God for healing and protection and even joy during this unexpected season. Much love to Team Hirt!
Following your story with great empathy and interest. May this season be crucial in each child’s development. May you be able to recognize God’s work in their hearts and be able to support what God is doing even when you aren’t fully aware of His plan.
We are glad you are getting some dose of normalcy with a new home and starting school. I am sure the kids will do really well–with their academics and social lives.
Praising God for walking this path with you and Chris, and for Chris’ strength and good health that allows him some successes in the chemo treatments.
You all remain in my prayers. Praying especially for all of these transitions and firsts (and fifths). So thankful you have some space to be as a family together plus all of the other many provisions.
We are rejoicing with you in the victories and we continue to pray with you in the challenges. Thank you for these updates.
Randy and Barb Franklin
Thank you for the update on school for the children and for Chris’ medical changes. I truly enjoyed seeing Chris even if it was at a funeral of a beloved family member. And, I am thankful for the new picture of your family that he shared with me.. Our Ruth Circle at First Baptist in Collinsville Il is privileged to be able to pray for him and your whole family. The G.R.A.C.E. Class at the church has also been praying for all. FBC IN COLLINSVILLE loves you.
Good to read this update and catch up on your health journey and family life. We were away for three weeks during which time we were spotty in virtual connections. But we have been and will continue to PRAY for God’s good work for your whole family and for God’s healing work in Chris’ life and body! Encouraging to read of the care, wisdom and responsiveness of your medical team!
Congratulations on good news all around!
What a great update!! So appreciate hearing these huge answers to prayer. You all are on a pilgrimage and he will take care of you all along the way. Not easy but so good and tender and attentive…love and miss you guys. Wendy
Psalm 84
Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka ( tears),
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.[d]
7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
10 Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
12 Lord Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.
So wonderful to hear how God is taking care of the Hirt family. I continue to pray for each of you, especially Luis, Lucas and Emalene these days in regards to school.
I’m praying for Chris very often (trying my best to pray for him daily). We sure miss the Hirt family here in Chiang Mai! It’s so great to see your 3 kids starting off the first day of school.
Awesome. Keep moving forward. Lord guide each day. Thank you for new schools and friends. Thank you for the recovery in Chris’s body. Thank you for their new house. Continue to Make them a blessing to others around them.