Prayer Request : Febe and Russell Pipe

Update on 16th April

Febe continues to make good progress and is now able to walk more each day,with someone alongside.
She may even be released from hospital in a few weeks' time,though she will remain under medical care,with regular visits to the hospital.For at least six months after her release she will need to be in a strictly controlled environment to ensure she does not contract any illness which could be disastrous in her fragile condition.

The Officer Commanding asks that prayer is maintained that the Lord will protect her on the long and dangerous road to full recovery.

Update on 13th March

Yesterday she was able to sit in a chair by her bed and to eat a little. The doctors, who call her a miracle, have taken her to heart and are impressed by her brightness. She is a fine witness to her faith and demonstrates strength and courage, as well as cooperating fully with the medical staff.
She has had some tubes removed so is speaking a little, but will need help to recover her voice. She may also have physiotherapy soon to regain the use of her legs. Once she has learned to walk again and is able to call for assistance she will be moved to another department but for the moment she will remain in intensive care.
The doctors emphasise that they must not rush. Her recovery will be very slow, they say—probably a matter of months.

Let us thank the Lord who is answering our prayers, which are still needed.

Original situation

Word has reached us from Italy as follows and your prayers are requested on behalf of Majors Russell and Febe Pipe.

Febe's condition is far from good, though now improving. On Sunday 3rd February she was flown by helicopter from a hospital in Florence to the Pisa hospital which deals with transplants and the doctors there could not understand why her own doctor had not acted with greater urgency.  They said that her chances of survival had decreased owing to the undue delay.

We are believing, however, that the Lord is guiding in everything.  While in hospital at Florence, Febe led the lady in the next bed to Christ.  And the hospital at Pisa (previously unknown to the family) managed to locate a liver within a day, something which the other hospital has failed to do since September.

The hospital staff at Florence and Pisa have remarked on Febe's incredible serenity and strength, which is surely the power of God at work.  The whole of Italy Command is now mobilised in prayer and we ask that you join us.

Only two visitors—one at a time—are allowed to sit with her and an aunt and uncle—an elderly Christian couple—have committed themselves to this all the time. Febe has tried to communicate with them by using gestures and with her eyes, and has tried to move her arms and tidy the bed sheets!

Can I ask that you pause for just a moment as you read this and link yourself to our friends in Italy and pray on behalf of Russell, Febe, their two sons and the whole family , as we share in their concern at this time.

Holy Father, in thy mercy
Hear our anxious prayer;
Keep our loved ones, now far distant,
'Neath thy care.

Jesus, Saviour, let thy presence
Be their light and guide;
Keep, O keep them, in their weakness,
At thy side.

While praying for Febe and her family, we need also to remember the doctors and medical staff. It has become increasingly evident that Febe is in the hands of very skilful people who are alert to her needs and who act with all due caution and patience. Their skill combined with the prayers we send to our loving Father will slowly and gradually bring about the miracle we all hope for.

Keep on praying and believing.

Pray about everything. Tell God what you need
and thank him for all he has done...then you will
experience God's peace, which is far more
wonderful than the human mind can understand.
His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you
live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4: 6, 7)