A lot has happened since since my last update couple of weeks ago. On Friday February 2, I completed round three of chemotherapy, and got through the weekend without the terrible nausea I had experienced the previous round. This past Thursday, I had a PET scan, which showed that the chemotherapy is having a fairly good effect on the tumor. These are two answers to prayer, for which I’m very thankful.

The PET scan also showed a lot of fluid building up around my left lung. On Friday evening, I could feel this affecting my breathing, so I went to the hospital to get that checked out. By the time I went home Saturday afternoon, the doctors hadn’t come up with any solutions. The fluid is not easy to drain with a tube or a needle, so it might stay there until my surgery. Thankfully, this didn’t keep me from attending church yesterday. Joining in worship was a blessing and encouragement.

Surgery plans

Speaking of surgery, we have now made a final decision to have the surgery in Toronto. The surgeon there is exceptionally qualified, which is a top priority in a case like mine. Once I have a surgery date, my family and I will travel to Toronto. After surgery, I will need at least six weeks to recover, and then we will return home in April or early May.

Going to Toronto means paying for this surgery ourselves. In order to do this, we will need financial help from our family, church, and friends. Many of you have been privately asking whether we will need financial help, and it is now time for me to humbly say, “yes.”

In total, we need to raise $130,000 USD. This will cover the cost of the surgery, plus our travel and accommodations. I’m amazed to say that we have already received $60,000, so we’re about half-way there.

The leadership of the church that I pastor (First OPC Sunnyvale) has helped me to develop a plan for receiving and handling this money. Our goal is to handle these funds in a God-honoring way, and to practice genuine Christian fellowship as we do so. Stan Liao, our deacon and treasurer, will be working closely with me in all of this, and he is available to answer any questions.

How to contribute

1. To me personally

The simplest way to contribute is to send money to me personally. This is a good option, especially if you are outside the US, or if you do not need to get a tax receipt. Any form of payment will be fine — a check payable to me, or whatever app or service is convenient for you. Shoot me an email if you need an address, username, bank details or other information.

2. Through the church

You can also contribute by sending a gift to First OPC Sunnyvale. Donations received this way will be handled through the deacons’ benevolence fund, and the church will be able to provide tax receipts. The church’s address is 1210 Brookfield Road, Sunnyvale CA 94086.

Thank you

Before I finish, let me say thank you to so many who have already been very generous to us. Our friends, family, and church have already blessed us with meals, visits, prayers, practical help with driving and homeschooling our kids, and countless other encouragements. Whether or not you are able or inclined to help financially at this point, I remain deeply grateful for your friendship, your prayers, and your love.