Headed “Home”

Dear friends,

(written by Debbi Hosken
Associate Director, Human Resources
HR Team – SIL MSEAG)

Some of you will already be aware that Chris Hirt has been experiencing significant pain over these last months. More recently he’s been undergoing some extensive medical investigations to seek some answers.  Yesterday (Friday), spinal tap test results showed that the lymphoma has returned, this time to his central nervous system seen in his spinal fluid, and is more aggressive than before.  Chris has been advised to leave for the US to begin treatment which will include rounds of very toxic chemotherapy. This treatment will involve a hospital stay of some length each round of chemo and is significantly more challenging than the previous treatment Chris received in 2023.

Today (Saturday evening, Thailand time), Chris will fly to the US and be admitted on Sunday to the hospital in Grand Rapids, MI for treatment to begin as soon as possible.  He will be accompanied by Craig Webb, a teammate. His Michigan oncology team is informed and ready to support. Becca, Luis, Lucas and Emalene will follow in the days to come, maybe two weeks out so the kids can finish the quarter.

Luis, Lucas and Emalene are aware that this situation is similar to before but different, and more difficult.

Please pray for the Hirt family at this very challenging time. Here are some specific ways you can pray for them.

1. For good medical planning and preparation from the oncology team in Michigan.
2. For the whole family as they process this news together.
3. For God’s clear hand of guidance and provision for decision making and practical needs (housing and a car)
4. For God’s miraculous hand of healing … again!  Chris has testified to God’s hand of healing in his life following his earlier diagnosis, and we long to see that healing again!
5. For the long journey to the US, that Chris can rest and have relief from the pain. Please pray for a smooth, speedy entry into treatment.
6. For Becca and the kids as they prepare for their own travel and make quick schooling decisions.
7. For the whole extended family that they will experience God’s peace, which transcends all understanding, to be guarding their hearts and their minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-8).

Practical ways to support the Hirts

Ways to give financially will be added later.

By 29 Comments on Headed “Home”

29 Replies to “Headed “Home””

  1. For each of you, as the Lord wills, the promise of the great high priest’s benediction:
    “The Lord bless thee and keep thee.”
    Numbers 6:24
    The Lord’s keeping goes with His blessing.

    1. We just prayed for you and all the requests, Chris and Becca! We join with all of the others in requesting and believing for healing once again AND all of the other needs that go with it.
      Love to you both,
      Ed and Linda Speyers

  2. I’m so sorry you guys are going through this again. I know God will be with you every step of the way, whatever happens. And yes, praying for God’s healing touch once again.

    1. Words seem difficult at this time, I’m not sure which ones to use. I am grateful for Gods Word most powerful, so I will use that
      “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you…. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Phil4

  3. Praying for you all as you transition back to the USA. May the Lord bring healing to Chris. We love you guys.

  4. With you all the way Chris and Becca, praying and hearts hurting for you going through this suffering once more.

  5. We are sorry, Chris and Becca to hear this news. We are sending you our love and prayers for the many adjustments each of you will be making. We pray, Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy. May you know God’s nearness and grace.

  6. This news is heavy and hard. Our heart go out to you and our prayers are with you.
    “For You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”
    ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭32‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

  7. Dear Chris and Becca. Praying hard for you as you process and make decisions. Our prayers are for strength, wisdom, clarity, peace, comfort.

  8. I’m saddened by this news. Praying for God’s healing, His comfort, His strength. He is our only hope and He is very mindful of your family.

  10. Praying for God’s healing hand to be on Chris. Lord, we pray for a miracle, either through the miraculous or through the medical community. Please give the doctors wisdom. Give Chris and Becca wisdom as they make decisions for Chris and decisions for the rest of the family. In all this we pray that the Holy Spirit surrounds their family with a sense of peace that can only come from you. Pray that you are glorified in ways we don’t fully understand.

  11. Adding my prayers to those of the body, may they uphold you all close to the Father’s heart as Chris enters this phase of heavy treatment and you all must transition yet again.

  12. Thank you for keeping us updated and please know we are praying for you each in your specific needs.
    Psalm 91:4 tells us “he will cover you with His feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.”

  14. I am so sorry about this news. I will be praying for each one of the family and everyone surrounding you. May God bless you and keep you and heal you.
    Hugs, Karin

  17. So sorry to hear this news. Lifting you all up in prayer! Pain free travel and healing for you, Chris. Strength and comfort for you, Becca, as you navigate transitioning the family back to the U.S.

  18. Dear Hirt family,
    Our hearts feel heavy with you as you on the news of Chris being so ill again. We are praying and asking Jesus to make his tender loving compassion very real. We are praying that Jesus will heal Chris again.
    Please be in contact if we can help with housing in short run. Or ? We love you all. Cheri and Phil.

  20. Chris and Family, We continue to hold you all in our prayers with deep love and care! So sorry for this news. Also know how resilient your faith is. Special prayers for the kids!

  22. Chris, Becca and all the Hirt’s are in our prayers. May God be near you and lay his healing hand upon Chris.

  24. I’m so sorry to hear that the lymphona is here again. So distressing for you. So disappointing. Understatements!
    I’d like to draw your attention again to another guy who overcame cancer called Chris: https://www.chrisbeatcancer.com/ If you subscribe to his free resources, he also has a list of 20 questions you can ask your oncologist and lots of help and suggestions of what you can personally do to overcome it.
    Nothing is guaranteed of course, except the great love, peace and hope that is given us by Jesus. He also has the power to heal us and rescue us. I have been meditating on John 9 recently, the story of the blind man who is healed by Jesus. The disciples asked if it was his fault, or the fault of his parents that he was born blind. Jesus said- neither. Rather, “this happened so the power of God could be seen in him.” And this is what I pray for you Chris, that we would see the power of God healing you.

  25. As I pray for Chris and his family, this verse comes to mind Psalm 121:1-4, I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
    2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

    3 He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
    4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.
    Praying for a miracle, God did it before, he can do it again

  26. We grieve with you as we pray for you, Chris and Becca. Where else do we go but to the One who holds us and our stories? May His beyond-measure peace surround and carry you as you walk this unwanted journey. He is with you; He is for you…we bow down in worship before Him.
    We love you deeply!

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