Sami Lahoud

One of the many encouraging emails and notes I received is this one, yesterday, from Jordan. 
” 1 I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.  4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust.   Psalms 40

Habibi Sami,
God’s people were so encouraged this Sunday evening by our amazing God …  They prayed for a match and we are sure that the Lord will provide… I was praying for you today and I asked the Lord to complete His work in you … Then I heard the Lord deep inside of me saying:  “complete” … complete what…??!!    He said: It is all completed…!!! Then I had nothing to say but to thank the Lord for His amazing work… Habibi, the LORD completed His work in you and I am confident that HE already found the match for you … When you go to the hospital tomorrow, walk like you own the place … Your Heavenly father has every detail in His control.   “

I walked into the Hospital this morning and was told that my blood count is extremely solid.  Additionally, the advanced Bone Marrow results, that they were waiting for, showed that there was no residual cancer whatsoever, thus making me in complete full remission.  Accordingly, they cancelled the “special” Chemo that was scheduled for today and reverted to a milder one.  However, while I was talking with the Leukemia doctor, he said “by the way, congratulations, the  Transplant team has located a 10/10 donor for you”.  That took us by surprise.  I had to pause and ask for clarification “yes, the doctor said, you will hear more about it when you meet with the Transplant team.  They found a perfect match that soon”.   Again, the Lord left us speechless.   We then met with the Transplant team and they explained that they had identified a “perfect” match and the person responded and already sent his blood for final confirmation (to make sure it’s fully clean, etc.).  They were all encouraged and amazed.  They also wanted to overemphasize my state.  They wanted to make sure I knew how blessed I was to be in a 100% remission from the first Chemo treatment and to immediately locate a perfect match in due time.  I was told that it typically takes months for a complete remission followed by months of Chemo until/if a match is located … … … I was speechless … Jacqueline started crying …  Issam praising … PTL ! 

I am checking to MDA this evening for a three day mild Chemo treatment.  That is the protocol to follow until the transplant team is ready – within 30 days. 
It is amazing what the Lord has shown all of us/you in this journey …  It is obvious that He was encouraging us to rethink our faith … 

On a separate note, everyone in my immediate family was thinking … How can we repay the LORD for all his goodness to us? (Psalm 116:12) followed by a thought of deep gratitude towards the anonymous person who took the time to register and become a Bone Marrow donor … they all decided to become Bone Marrow donors to be a blessing to someone.  I was told that after one year I can request to meet that person, which I will.  I was also informed that there was a huge need for donors and that the process is very simple.  You just call 1-800-marrow2.  What a hero you could be.  What a blessing.  What a witness.  What a joy you can bring to a desperate sole or a family … what a priceless gift you can give, that will not cost you a dime. 

Think about it. 

I thank you for your faithful prayers.  The Lord has heard them … and I am counting on them until this journey is over.  Thank you.