OUT OF AFRICA....NEW YORK HERE WE COME!

We are finally leaving!!! I am feeling very mixed emtions about going home! I am more than just happy, however, I have a family here now. It is difficult to say goodbye to them. Ebenezer Centre, its Senior Pastor Neville Goldman and his wife Roji, all the other pastors and their wives and the entire Ebenezer family have become my family here. I have NEVER been left alone. When my sons came they were wonderful and I was so very proud of the men they have become. However, after Marisel (my adopted daughter -smile) left, my sons weren't able to return. Ebenezer Centre made sure I had someone with me. I will never in a million years be able to repay their servant hearts. We must all pray that the Lord will continue blessing, protecting and anointing them until He comes for His church!

I have enclosed some pictures of a "surprise" going away party that they celebrated for us at the HOSPITAL!! Can you believe that! This certainly would never have happened in America!!! We were able to minister to some "guests" (other patients who were in the lounge). They were impressed with Pastor Nevilles "speeh" (that's what they called Pastor's message - is that cute!") We had a wonderful time and Chris was truly happy and proud of our "family."

Yesterday, when Mark and I (Mark came to take us back home) went to the hospital I was met by the dietician who informed me that Pastor Santiago had told her he was going out for lunch and supper so he had not ordered either from the hospital! We were a bit surprised as we had NOT made such plans. But when Pastor gives an order it is obeyed. So off we went. We took him to a place called THE BOARDWALK which is really beautiful (looks like a place called Broadway On The Beach in Myrtle Beach) and ate at Leonardo's where they make pizza as it was made in the BRONX in the good old days...some of you may remember. It was delicious. Chris really enjoyed himself. We were out most of the day and then returned to the hospital.

Mark and I received our orders (from Chris) re: time we should be at the hospital, what he wanted to wear for the trip home, etc., etc. Today, (Sunday) we picked him up and we went to church. His first time at church in six months. (June 3rd would have been 6 months!)

We arrived at church and when Mark wheeled him into the sanctuary, their was a hush and then the presence of the Lord became so powerful that you could almost touch it!!! The congregation began to clap and praise the Lord and ...well you had to have been present to truly appreciate what we experienced. God is truly a wonderful God. After a while we were able to sit and Pastor Neville called Chris, Mark and me up to bid our farewells. Chris spoke and for a minute I thought he was going to preach....remember almost six months....you give a microphone to a preacher....very dangerous thing to do. He spoke very well and we were blessed once more with another strong presence of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Neville preached and as always, he was soooooo anointed and the word was truly from God. Do I sound a bit excited? Well, maybe just a little. I shall miss everyone here. I thank God for having allowed me to meet these wonderful people.

Tomorrow we will leave at 12:30! Dr. Campbell who is accompanying us told us to be at the airport early...no need to have said that..Mark and I had thought about sleeping there tonight!

(Just kidding.) Since Chris will have to undergo more rehabilitation at Helen Hayes Hospital, I think I will continue to blog for just a while longer. Thank you for you interest and prayers. God truly has listened to all of you and He continues to answer.

Keep praying! Bye!

ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD!

Today was a beautiful day in many ways. Once more Ebenezer came through for the Santiagos. Pastor C.K., his wife Pastor Benita, Pastor Larryand Marina took Chris and me for another outing. RE: Dr. Campbell's suggestion, we took Chris to Kragga Kamma Game Park. I think Dr. thought we would be gone an hour or two, but after the park we decided, "Hey, why not take a little detour on our way to Aurora and see the city....so we did!

We went sight-seeing and took in many historical sights. We had two Pastors who truly know their history and were great guides. I believe that Dr. Campbell thought we would be gone 2-3 hours. Aha...we returned after 5:00 PM. ooooohh!

Chris had a great time and enjoyed every minute of our exciting experience. Seeing the animals in the wild was really WILD! (no punt intended) I took a lot of pictures, but my camera was not very cooperative. I have posted 1-2 pictures to give you an idea. (sorry...the camera was mean)

When we returned Chris had a bath and went to bed a very happy man.

I will write to you all again in a couple of days...Keep praying...God is listening!

Love & blessings to all from Chris & me.

I'M BACK!!

Hi there! Did you think I got lost? Many of you have been inquiring about the blog.



Thank you for you concern. Actually, I've been quite busy. I am at the hospital all day...not complaing it makes the day go by very quickly. When I get home (scarey isn't it calling the guest house home? Spooky, even) I shower, read The Word, pray and plop. (Think I sleep? Noooo. It takes a while as I ponder all the events of the day and still think, "I AM IN SOUTH AFRICA!!!"



As I have mentioned before, I am NEVER alone. Ebenezer Centre people are an unusual breed. God has a very special place in heaven for all these people. Complete strangers who've heard about Chris call and offer their support. Remember the woman, June who came to see Chris at Greenacres Hospital, well she found the information which led her to find us. It appears that someone from the U.N. Council in Pretoria, SA was the person who called her about Rev. Santiago!!! Is that weird. Remember Len Roosevelt the gentleman who also came to see Chris at Greenacres? Mr. Roosevelt was called from a radio station in Cape Town, SA to ask him to visit a Rev. Santiago who was ill at the hospital. Those are just two of the many who have been led to us by God.



June introduced me to Judy...that's another story of the many I will share with those of you who are interested. TOOOOOO many to write to you about. Just know that GOD HAS BEEN IN CONTROL!! Is Chris sooo special...obviously to our family and me, to those who really know him, he is...to God he is just His servant whom he has called. God has promised to ...never leave us or foresake us...God is true to His word. Amen? Enough preaching...as you can see I am in love with God. Actually I've made Job 42:5 my personal verse, ie, it was written for me! (look it up)



Chris is getting better each day. His legs and arms are getting stronger, his voice is improving and he has NEVER lost his determination to get well. He is an amazing man. No wonder he chose me!!



FLASH: I know that by now most of you know that we are coming home on 5/26/08! Chris will be admitted to Helen Hayes Hospital for more rehabilitation. I will inquire regarding visiting him as soon as I get there and will let everyone know. For now, please wait until you here from me or one of my sons. I realize that you would like to see him as soon as possible and we will post the news as soon as it becomes available.



Doctor Campbell will be accompanying us. (Another miracle!!) He has made the arrangements for HHH and is looking forward to seeing NY. If the doctor has time, Mark will show him some sights. (Dr. must get back to his hospital asap)



I will try to let you know further events as they develop. For now just remember to keep praying! God is LISTENING!!



Thank you. Love you all very much,

Lali (Essie to others)

Anyone for a "DIP?" I'm ready!!!

Today was by far the most exciting of all days. When I arrived at the hospital Chris was already at O.T. (occupational therapy). He really works hard and his determination is quite obvious. What a guy!! After his session I took him back to his room and he informed me he was going in the pool. "Great," I said. Thinking, NO WAY!! A while later they began to get him ready for the pool. He was excited and I was nervous. I shouldn't have been....

When we got to the pool, a young lady and a young man very gingerly took him off the wheelcheer and just as gingerly placed him in the pool...."Pa' que fue eso!!" He immediately started flapping his "wings" and legs. The two young people began to laugh and exlaimed, "He's swimming and using his arms and legs all by himself!" When they finally realized they could not contain him, they went off to help other people and Chris "OWNED THE POOL!" I took picture after picture and also a video. I don't know how to load the video, but LOOOOOOK at the pictures!! Pretty Cool, eh?

As if that weren't enough...prior to the pool experience, Dr. Campbell asked to see me. I went to his office and he proceded to inform me that this Thursday he will let me know the date when Chris and I will be able to go home. He asked me if there was someone I knew who could attend to him during the flight (a nurse). He asked about the lady who had come with me to our prior meeting; (Marina - our friend from Ebenezer Center and a reg. nurse at Greenacres who'd taken excellent care of Chris during his stay there). I told him I would check with her and I did and she said she would look into it, but she saw no problem!! God continues to be soverign...

Dr. Campbell also informed me that TODAY he would call Helen Hayes Hospital to check on the procedure involved to transport Chris to their facility. (Chris insists he will walk out of Aurora.) In any case, things are looking better and better as God continues to listen to all of the people who are praying for Chris. It appears that the WHOLE world is praying for this very, very humble servant of the Lord. Those of you who know Chris really well, know thatI am speaking the truth.

At the end of the day when I was knitting while he rested, after eating a huge meal (fish,chips-french fries in the US, salad and cranberry-apple juice), I looked up at him and he was looking at me kinda' funny. He said, "I don't know what I would do without you." WOW...pretty cool eh?

WHAT A GUY!!!!!!!

As always continue to pray as it has been all of your prayers which have served to carry us through all this.

Sight Seeing Tour - No Problem!

Today was a real triumph! Pastor C.K., Marina, Douleen, Cleone and I took Chris for a ride through the city. We followed Marine Drive which is a beautiful road along the coast of Mandela Bay and the Indian Ocean. It was a beautiful day and Chris was in awe!! He loves the ocean and could not stop talking about how beautiful everything was. Please remember he had not seen the "outside world" for almost 5 months, (except for his ride to the Rehab.Hospital) We made a few stops so that he could observe the ocean and the sights for a longer period of time. We also road through Summerstrand where I am staying and which is also along the Indian Ocean and Mandela Bay. This area is where all the big hotels and tourist area are located. It is actually quite beautiful and very busy. There are beautiful buildings and resort areas. We also took him to the guest house where I am staying; (Remember he was only there l/3 evening and on l/5 he was admitted to the hospital). He did remember it though. Nothing wrong with his memory or his brilliant mind. He is unreal. He was giving us pointers as we were on our tour!!! He really is TOOOO MUCH! May God bless him.

We are still looking forward to leaving around the 23rd of May. The doctor will make his final decision this Friday....sooo...all you prayer warriors out there, please get on our knees.



Chris sends his love to everyone and reminds you, "I'LL BE BACK."