A Time of Transition

Dear supporters of The Mission Matters emails,

I’m writing to share an update as to where things stand with me. You’ll all likely know that my health took a significant decline over the holidays. I’ve been in a rehab hospital now since early February.

The upside is that I’m ok. I’ve done a 3-hour cognitive exam and my brain is still in tact. (No comments from the peanut gallery 😀) I also have my blood pressure checked several times a day and my heart is good. But my body on the other hand, is being aggressively attacked by MS. I’m now in a power wheelchair. I can transfer from my hospital bed to the chair and vice versa with the help of a healthcare professional but that’s about it as far as my ability to stand goes. I also have significant fatigue issues which is very common amongst folks with MS.

Today I will finally move out of hospital to a supportive transitional apartment while my house gets renovated to fit my new needs (I’ll need a hospital bed and accessible washroom to name a few things). That’ll take at least the whole summer to complete.

As it is the month of May, and our missional focus is on ‘dignity and respect’, at this point in my life I need to focus those things on me and my family. As a result, I need to say that my work days have sadly needed to come to an end. I just don’t have the strength or energy to do the job justice anymore. That’s not to say I won’t write the odd Mission Matters here and there, but as for my formal working days, I’m officially done.

Thanks to each of you for your prayers and positive thoughts during this difficult time for me and my family. We have very much appreciated them and will continue to need them in the coming months.

My co-worker Erin Marshall, will take on many of my responsibilities, including sending out these emails every week or two. The option to subscribe or unsubscribe will still be there, but the sender will change from me to Erin from here on in. I have complete confidence in her ability to carry on this missional work.

I am admittedly sad to need to retire so early from this work that I’ve dearly loved for many years. But I believe, even though I don’t like it, that God is in the midst of it all.

And in the meantime, THHS will keep on striving to be ‘The Hand of God in the Heart of the City.’

Much peace,
Dion