Sunday, 16 September 2007
JFK Airport, New York

A missive of grief

To our supporting Churches and Friends,

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

At an early hour on Friday, we received a telephone call from my father informing us that our son Everett, 21 years old and a student at the University of Louisiana, has a malignant tumor, a cancer, of his pelvic bone. Friday in Bangladesh was not only the usual Muslim day of rest but also the first day of the holy month of Ramadan when everything was closed, and there were no available airline seats out of Dhaka for several days. But a kind travel agent made a special trip to his office, pleaded with the airlines on our behalf, and helped us secure tickets to depart Dhaka on Saturday night.

So we will be able to be with Everett at his initial appointment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston at 2:00 p.m. on Monday. At that time, they will begin determining the exact nature of Everett’s cancer, the extent of his disease, the treatment plan, and his prognosis. I am writing as we wait for our plane from JFK Airport in New York, because we need all of you to pray for Everett and our family as we begin the process of Everett’s evaluation and treatment.

Yesterday, Saturday, was my birthday, and when I woke up in Dhaka with Everett's situation heavy on my heart, Cindy presented me with a gift from him—a package of gourmet decaf coffee that he had purchased, wrapped, and sent along with Cindy when we came back to Bangladesh in August after our brief trip home. Written on the front of the gift, in Everett's familiar handwriting, were the words, “For My Dad, from Everett.” When I saw that, I cried harder than I ever remember and in a way that only a father could cry for his beloved son. As I later drank the brewed coffee, I recalled how Everett and I are alike in so many ways, and I felt how deeply connected we are.

We remain firm in our belief that God is good, that his mercy towards all of us extends to eternity, and that his love is greater than we can ever imagine.

Yours,

Les

Leslie Y. Morgan
PC(USA) Mission Co-Worker
Bangladesh

The 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 115