Gary Austin Beginning to Improve

Here is today's update from Jean Austin, wife of Gary Austin, pastor of the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Grace Brethren Church, who recently had surgery for colorectal cancer:

Psalm 57:1-3 has been a special encouragement to us in these difficult days. "I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High to God, who fulfills His purpose for me. He sends from heaven and saves me. God sends His love and His faithfulness." Praise God for His faithfulness to us.

Gary is doing better. He feels like he is on the way "out of the pit". He has not had a fever for five days. They did x-rays again today of his abdomen and there are still pockets of air in his small intestine. He still has the NG tube, which is a real bother.

Today they started giving his nutrients intravenously and are hoping that in a day or two the tube can come out and he will be able to tolerate liquids and then a soft diet and soon real food. His spirits were better today. He continues walking, which is all he can do to get the systems operating again.

Thank you again for your prayers. We can feel "God's everlasting arms" holding us up.