An Urgent Questioning

An Urgent Questioning
by Sandra Malazo
written 2/4/1998
revised 3/30/2011

Why didn't you tell me?
Why didn't you share?
Why didn't you show me
God's love and His care?


Couldn't you sound a warning
That I would go to Hell?
You had the chance for sharing,
the message you knew so well!


I'm burning now because of you
I'm in Hell for eternity.
Will you now let others slip too?
"Tell them now" is my urgent plea!


Tell others of their coming fate;
Of their imminent death.
Tell them before it is too late.
Before they take their last breath.

Eve's News

Eve has finally rounded the bend in regards to her life being in danger.  She still has a long recovery process though.  As the situation is not as urgent as it was last week, updates are becoming less frequent.  The best way for any reader to find out information at this point (if you are not a friend of the Rubys or Smiths on Facebook) is to go to the Ruby's website.  It is www.outreachelsalvador.com.  From the home page click on the link to take you to the "journal".  Be sure to go and read it.  The last bits of news have been very encouraging.

Eve-Update from Facebook last evening

I HAVE BEEN BLESSED

When He moves among us all that He does 

all of His mercy and all of His love 

and the pen of the writer could write everyday 

even this world could never contain 

how I've been blessed 

The warmth in winter the flowers in spring 

the laughter in summer and the changing of leaves 

the food on my table a good place to sleep 

clothes on my back and shoes on my feet 

I have been blessed 

I have been blessed God's so good to me 

precious are His thoughts of you and me 

no way I could count them there's not enough time 

so I'll just thank Him for being so kind 

God has been good so good 

I have been blessed 

Arms that will raise a voice that can talk 

hands that can touch and legs that can walk 

ears that can listen eyes that can see 

oh I've got to praise Him as long as I breathe 

I have been blessed 

A father and mother who nurtured and raised 

a brother and sister memories made 

our pastor to lead us the altar to pray 

stripes that can heal the blood that can save 

I have been blessed 

I have been blessed God's so good to me 

precious are His thoughts of you and me 

no way I could count them there's not enough time 

so I'll just thank Him for being so kind 

God has been good so good 

I have been blessed 

He's my shoulder to lean on when I am down 

the rock where He leads me when I'm overwhelmed 

the place where He hides me under His wings 

He's not just a song He's the reason I sing 

I have been blessed 

I have been blessed God's so good to me 

precious are His thoughts of you and me 

no way I could count them there's not enough time 

so I'll just thank Him for being so kind 

God has been good so good 

I have been blessed

Where do we start? How do you put into words the miracles we have seen take place? It brings tears to our eyes just beginning to think of the many MANY people that have come before the LORD for us - the notes, the tears, the thoughts, the gifts, the visits - ALL OF IT! I have tears in my eyes as I'm writing this, so please excuse any typos:)  We can't say it enough......thank you.  Eve is an incredibly special little girl to have so much love in her life!!!

Eve still has several days of slow recovery - but she has come so far and is doing so much better in this extremely LONG and extremely SHORT week:)

Eve has "been blessed":

Extubated (breathing tube removed)

Healthy heart

Almost healthy lungs:)

Healthy kidneys/organs

Feeding tube removed

All sedatives/paralytics removed

All blood cultures have come back negative (which is a good thing) :)

NO CT SCAN! :)

Moved from Peds ICU to Intermediate Care across the hall!

Has spoken/whispered a few words

Balanced on her feet (with much assistance) for the first time in a week - today:):):)

Smiled for the first time in a week - today:):):)

So for now, we just start walking down the road of not only physical therapy (muscles, coordination, etc), but also complete love. She has endured a lot in this last week...has not slept for the last 60 hrs for more than a few minutes, and when she finally has for those few minutes - she will wake up suddenly with extreme terror in her eyes. So, I think she is almost afraid of what will happen if she falls asleep again. Nic is cuddled up in her bed with her right now...trying to provide whatever comfort we can. The doctors say she will have a lot of psychological issues to work through for the next bit...so we can only love on her every moment and pray for her even more.

We love you all and are incredibly HUMBLED. Who are we? We do not deserve what has happened this week...however...

He's my shoulder to lean on when I am down 

the rock where He leads me when I'm overwhelmed 

the place where He hides me under His wings 

He's not just a song He's the reason I sing 

I have been blessed.

thank you.

Yesterday's Update on Eve

Again, this is the update from Facebook from earlier yesterday.


Here is Eve standing up for the first time with lots of support from Suz. They are going to be moving her out of ICU soon across the hall. She is still out of it and not talking at all. We are very encouraged by all the progress. Thanks for the prayers! 1 hour ago

A Little Bit of Good News

Here are the two updates we were given yesterday evening:

This from Pastor Jessup:

We went to the hospital following the services today and Eve is much improved.  She is sitting up and talking a very little bit.  Her stats are improving and it looks like she has turned the corner.

I again share with you the Ruby's gratitude for praying for them and especially for Eve.

Thank you for praying and please continue to do so at the Lord brings her to your mind.

Co-Laborers Together in the Great Commission,

Dr. Earl D. Jessup

This from Pastor and Mrs. Smith:

Holding off on cat scan and watching her instead.  Progress is slow, but we
will take whatever we can get. Ultra sound tomorrow to check kidneys. Blood
pressure too high.  Got to hold her today:) When we left tonight, Suz was in
the hospital bed with her. Wish I had a picture of that!  Eve has only slept
one hour and forty minutes since they took her off the drugs and took the
vent out. It's like she's afraid to go to sleep. Our request for tonight is
for a peaceful night's rest for her with beautiful dreams! Truth be told -
we just want to see her smile again.  Thank you.

Eight Gifts That Don't Cost a Cent

This post was prepared several days ago, but then I decided to give the information about Eve quite a lot of attention to raise awareness for those who would pray for her.  Thank you for those who have prayed; don't stop.


In the busyness or hum-drums of life, whatever you face today.  It is so, very easy to forget to look around at those who need these simple gifts.  Those of us who stay at home each day with our little children, how easy it is to forget to give some of these gifts to them.  Those of you who have an "empty  nest"--it's hard to reach out to others because you feel the need of someone reaching out to you.  Whatever stage of life you are in, we can all give these gifts to someone each day.  My challenge?  I will give each of these to someone each day for one week, starting today.  Will you join me?  Be creative.  Each day I will tell you how God has allowed me to give these gifts.

Eight Gifts That Don't Cost a Cent
--author unknown

The Gift of Listening--But you must REALLY listen.  No interruption, no day-dreaming, no planning your response.  Just listening


The Gift of Affection--Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds.  Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.


The Gift of Laughter--Clip cartoons.  Share articles and funny stories.  Your gift will say, "I love to laugh to you."


The Gift of a Written Note--It can be simple "Thanks for the help" note for a full sonnet.  A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.


The Gift of a Compliment--A simple and sincere, "You look great in red!", "You did a super job!", or "That was a wonderful meal!" can make someone's day.


The Gift of a Favor--Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.


The Gift of Solitude--There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone.  Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.


The Gift of a Cheerful Disposition--The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really, it's not that hard to say "Hello" or "Thank you".

Update--details regarding "grave complications"

These details were given to me from my sister-in-law who has Facebook.  Unfortunately it's not a direct quote this time so I'm a bit hesitant about posting it for fear of distorting the facts.  Pastor Wall at FaithWay in Ontario announced in their evening service that there had been no improvement since his update in their morning service.

1.  After taking Eve off many of the medications and tubes she was not responding well last night.  The doctors planned to do a CT scan today to see if there is any brain damage.
2.  Eve was responding slightly better this morning so they decided to wait on the CT scan to observe further.
3.  Need to do an ultrasound on her kidneys because her blood pressure is extremely high for her age.
4.  Not sure if this was going to happen for sure or if they were just considering it--blood pressure medication to reduce hyper-tension.
5.  Needed to collect a urine sample because there is blood in her stool and also because of the high blood pressure.  (Susan said pray that they can collect it the normal way so they will not have to give her a catheter.)
6.  Doctors are hoping the unresponsiveness is because of exhaustion and trauma.

These things were posted at 11:20 am our time.

Eve Has Developed "Grave Complications"

This email was sent out this morning from a preacher who is with Eve and her family.  Please pray!

I just received word a few minutes ago that Eve has taken a serious turn for the worse in her condition. There could be some grave complications.  Please pray for this little girl and her family today in your services and have your people pray.  I will update with more information as soon as I know more.

Co-Laborers Together in the Great Commission,

Dr. Earl D. Jessup

Good News!

This update was sent to me from Pastor and Mrs. Smith, Eve's grandparents.

Praise the Lord, Hallelujah, Glory to God and raise your hankies -- Eve has been extubated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  You should have seen the smiles on Nic and Suz's face when they took it out and she was such a little champion through it all!  We all feel one hundred pounds lighter and like we can actually breathe ourselves!  Thank you, Lord, for hearing the cries of your people!  Thank you, friends for crying out on our behalf!

--
Reaching the World with our Tools,

Philip and Susan Smith
I Peter 4:11

Eve's Condition Slightly Better

This was an email sent to me by the Smiths, Eve's grandparents:

Eve has had lots of visitors this morning. They only allow two at a time. We have not been in yet but the doctor checked her about half an hour ago and we are hearing they changed her ventilator settings so that they are more self-regulated. In other words, she is doing some of the work breathing on her own and the machine will only do what she can't instead of doing it all. This is wonderful news because it means progress and it is the first time we have seen progress since Wednesday!







Last night when we left her blood pressure was out of control and her heart rate was dropping. They did not know why. It was so hard to leave not knowing what was going on. We went back to our room and fell on our knees by our bed and cried out to God. He gave us peace to go to bed. Her blood pressure stabilized on its own in the night and this morning they made the changes to her ventilator. We are praising our amazing, merciful, good God for the changes. We read this morning-"Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death.". Once again, a reminder to not fear because He is in control!






Hang on... Going in...






Exciting news- they have taken her off the paralytic. She is still sedated but coughing some and moving. It is hard to see her little face screw up like she wants to cry but it is sp good just to see some life! She still has a long way to go but we are thrilled beyond words to see progress! I wish I could respond to every one of you personally to thank you for your love, concern, verses shared and prayers! It has been so comforting to know so many have been holding little Eve and all of us up before the throne of God! THANK YOU! We are taking Joc to get her toenails painted while the guys have some time with Eve.






Phil and Susan Smith


CLAIM missionaries


www.ClaimforGod.com


619.403.6739

Update on Eve from Facebook

"Eve has the feeding tube in, got the transfusion, got the arterial line, but is now struggling with high blood pressure and low heart rate...doctors are discussing... mostly though...she is stable and THANK YOU for your prayers! " 3 hours ago

Prayer for Eve Ruby

After my children went to sleep tonight, I prayed once again for little Eve Ruby and for her family.  God has put something on my heart this evening after  a day of praying every hour with my children along with countless other times on my own for this dear little one.  Would you be part of an effort to pray around the clock for little Eve?  Maybe someone has already started something like this, and if you have please let me know.  I would be glad to take part.  After much thought and prayer I believe this is how we can at least get started:

1.  The turns will be in 15 minute increments.
2.  They will be from the hour to the quarter after the hour, from the quarter after the hour to the half past the hour, etc. (examples: 3:00-3:15, 3:15-3:30, 3:30-3:45, 3:45-4:00)
3.  Decide on what time you would like to pray for Eve.
3.  Please let me know by leaving a comment or sending me an email with what time you would like to pray for Eve in Pacific Daylight Time.  If you would prefer your name not be added along with the time you are praying, just let me know.
4.  As time slots are taken I will keep a running list on this blog.

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Matthew 7:7,8

Eve Ruby

This picture was copied from the website of the Ruby family:www.outreachelsalvador.com

Eve Ruby--Update March 24

This is the update that Susan Ruby posted on face book a couple of hours ago.  Thanks for praying!

Unfortunately, i have no good news. Still the same condition...

-they switched up some ventilation settings

-put her on the paralyzing medicine again

HOW TO PRAY THROUGHOUT THE DAY:

-are going to remove/re-insert her feeding tube

-after inserting feeding tube, start feeding her through it (but also need to watch, as she is paralyzed)

-insert an arterial line [a deep IV inserted into her wrist artery]

-change up some more vent. settings

-give her fluid to make her urinate (as she is too swollen from fluid retention)

-give her a blood transfusion (pray that the blood takes/no allergic reactions)

AGAIN - Thank you for all that you have done!!!!! We're just sticking it out for now:)

"Be still, and know that I am God"

Eve Ruby

I just received this from FaithWay Baptist Church's assistant pastor, Eric Leveille.  Please pray!!

Please pray for the Ruby family, missionaries on deputation, going to
El Salvador.  Their daughter, Evangeline (2.5 years old), is in the
hospital in serious condition.  She had a case of bacterial pneumonia
in the lungs, which could spread.  She has too much carbon dioxide in
her blood, so she was hooked up to a machine to remedy this.  However,
they had to induce paralysis to stop her from moving in order for the
treatment to be possible.

Please pray for Evangeline and for her family at this time.  She was
transported by airvac to a children's hospital in Peoria, Illinois.
Pastor and Mrs. Phil Smith (the grandparents) are on their way to
Peoria to be with them.

Thank you for praying


Update from Pastor Homan:


Gentlemen,

I am in the hospital room with Susan Ruby and Evangeline.  Evangeline seems to be responding well to treatment.  Her oxygen levels are up and she is improving.  Thank you for praying.  Please continue.

Lynn Homan 

"A Women's Question"

When I was in my first year of college a young couple who loved me very much gave me this poem.  I kept it in my Bible until I was married.  Young ladies, this poem speaks for itself.

A Women's Question
by Lena Lathrop


Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing ever made by the Hand above?
A woman's heart, and a woman's life--and a woman's wonderful love.


Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing, as a child might ask for a toy?
Demanding what others have died to win, with the reckless dash of a boy?


You have written your lesson of duty out, manlike, you have questioned me.
Now stand at the bars of my woman's soul, until I shall have questioned thee.


You require your mutton shall always be hot, your socks and your shirt be whole.
I require your heart be as true as God's stars, and pure as his heaven your soul.


You require a cook for your mutton and beef, I require a far greater thing;
A seamstress you're wanting for socks and shirts, I require a man and a king.


A king for that beautiful realm called home, and a man that his Maker, God,
Shall look upon as He did on the first, and day, it is very good.


I am fair and young, but the rose may fade, from this soft young cheek one day;
Will you love me then 'mid the falling leaves, as you did 'mid the blossoms of May?


Is your heart an ocean so strong and true, I may launch my all on its tide?
A loving woman finds heaven or hell on the day she is made a bride.


I require all things that are grand and true, all things that a man should be;
If you give this all, I would stake my life to be all you demand of me.


If you cannot be this, a laundress and cook you can hire and little to pay
But a woman's heart and a woman's life are not to be won that way.

My Dreams?

When I graduated from college I was excited to fulfill our 5 year commitment to help start a new church and then go on to realize the fulfillment of our dream since starting our life together. . .to go to the Philippines as missionaries.  As the years have rolled past, God has not seen fit to allow us to go, whether yet or ever, I cannot know.  In the past week's time I have faced a time of great disappointment and wondering in my life.  Will we ever get to the people and country we love so much?  At our Victory Ladies Bible Study this weekend the Lord gave me a quote that has helped me if the Lord does not allow us to go to the Philippines.  "If we cannot be great, by God's grace we may be the means of making others great."--Herbert Lockyear  


If I accomplish nothing else in my life, I will be great if my children are great for the Lord.  I don't mean rich in material possessions, but I pray that with the Lord's help I can teach them to become great soul-winners so they may rescue people from the flames of hell and the misery of a sin-ridden life, great givers so they may in turn know the provision of their loving Heavenly Father, and great servants so they may be like their Saviour. 


Will I be great? No.  Will my children be great?  A huge part of that answer is up to me.