Ragnar and Elizabeth Niclasen spent most of August and all of September in Manila due to Elizabeth’s health. Initially she had an infection requiring strong antibiotics. Later in the month they both had food poisoning. They then began to realise that probably something else was wrong. After checking Elizabeth’s blood sugar levels and finding they continued to be very, very low they realised they needed help and went to a hospital in Manila. Her blood sugar was tested immediately, and she was admitted as the level was dangerously high. Thankfully the levels are now under control. Her testing machine at home was faulty!
Whilst in hospital other tests revealed that she also had pneumonia and seemed to have a heart problem. Following a procedure for a blocked artery, and a few more days in the hospital she was released to the mission’s guest house for another two weeks, so the Cardiologist could keep an eye on things. Ragnar has been a SUPER, WONDERFUL ‘nurse’. He took care of her every single need. They are also very thankful the time in the hospital went very smoothly and the care was wonderful too.
A few weeks ago Ragnar and Elizabeth were asked if they would be able to take some German friends to visit a Kankanaey village on a Sunday morning. They were also treated to the weekend at a resort where they met their friends and were introduced to their companion from Germany. They loved their time there of walking in the sand, enjoying mango shakes, the cool breeze at night, and lots of time for fellowship.
On Sunday morning they went to a church about a ten-minute drive below the village where they have lived and continue to serve among the Kankanaey people. It is much easier for Elizabeth to get to that village – only about a five-minute walk-up hill from the road. They were welcomed with lots of hugs, smiles and of course coffee, along with a few goodies made with rice and sweet potatoes. Ragnar translated for their visitors. There was lots of singing, and then Ragnar shared a message from the book of Romans. The three visitors sang “Great is Thy Faithfulness’ in German, followed by Ragnar and Elizabeth joining them in English and then the whole group joined in, in Kankanaey.
They had a great weekend – both relaxing at the beach and fellowshipping with the Kankanaey believers.
Ragnar and Elizabeth have now returned home to Baguio, where Elizabeth has been referred to a Cardiologist who will continue to keep an eye on her. They are thankful to be able to continue working on Bible lessons for the Kankanaey believers.