Hi everyone,

Although Rob is not a member of our Church, his work in spreading the Gospel is well known I’m sure by many of you. As you will see below Rob has been diagnosed with Cancer and is having a serious operation on Monday (9^th).

Please do remember him in your prayers.

Emma’s baby (Barnaby) is doing really well, so prayer really does work. We pray it will also for Rob.

Blessings

Geoff

Rev Dr Rob Frost

Share Jesus International

Tolverne Road

Raynes Park

SW20 8RA

020 8944 5678

www.sharejesusinternational.com

Rob Frost’s Monthly Update: July 2007

Rob’s ‘Blog’

Dear Friends

Usually my monthly e-mail isn’t very personal but an opportunity for me to have a ‘rant’ about something that I feel passionate about, so please excuse me if for the next couple of editions I  write from a more personal perspective! Welcome to those of you who are receiving this for the first time!

If you haven’t heard, I was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma on my back about three weeks ago. I’d had the small mole on my back checked in November, and if it had it not been that my barber, Mark, had recently suffered malignant melanoma on his face and urged me to have the tiny bump on my back checked out I would probably have forgotten all about it!

My wife Jacqui was in Spain when I got the test results, and I was about to go to the USA to speak at a major international conference, so it was quite a difficult time for us both! I cancelled my trip under doctors' orders, and Jacqui returned on the first available flight.

Three things made the situation more difficult. Firstly, that the size of the melanoma (a tiny 3:4mms) meant that it was very ‘serious’; second that a scan and a biopsy revealed that the cancer had spread to a lymph node in my under-arm which took the risks to a new level; and thirdly that we had witnessed first-hand the virulence of this kind of cancer when my p.a.

Camille died of it aged 35 just over a year ago.

I am scheduled to have surgery on Monday (July 9). As well as the removal of more tissue around the original melanoma I will have all of the lymph nodes removed from my under-arm. I have been told to expect a stay in hospital of at least 7 days, and to have convalescence of between 6 and 8 weeks. This surgery involves a general anaesthetic and is considered ‘major!’

I have cancelled all ministry engagements in my diary up till September 1st, and after the surgery I should have a better idea of how the autumn will pan out. I am certainly not looking to stop work, but maybe I will be taking things a wee bit easier than I have been doing over recent years!

So what have I learnt so far? Firstly, that I’m not the only one! The melanoma clinic sees an average of 80 patients a morning, and many of them are facing the kind of worry and uncertainty that we have known in recent days. Queuing in hospital waiting rooms has opened a whole new world to me, and I now see from the ‘inside’ what I used to see on the outside as a hospital chaplain! It certainly feels very different!

Secondly, that I am not invincible! The general policy among all of the doctors I have seen is one of frank and even stark honesty. At the various stages of my unfolding diagnosis I have been shown tables demonstrating my chances of survival if ‘this’ is discovered or if ‘that’ symptom tests positive! This has brought home to me my own mortality like never before! My top personality characteristic is ‘futurist’ so this has maybe had more of an effect on me than it would on some other people.

Thirdly, that my life is in God’s hands. Although I am deeply impressed by the scientific advances in cancer treatment, I feel like never before that my life belongs to the Lord, and that He is with me and leading me forward.

I see more clearly from this place what is of eternal importance and what is fading and transient.

Finally, Jacqui and I have been through about 6 days of fairly acute ‘shock’. This diagnosis was not something that we had ever imagined, and the massive re-orientation it has demanded hasn’t been easy for either of us.

The messages, cards, emails and voice-mails which have come in have been an enormous comfort and we feel lifted up on a luxury carpet of prayer and love. Thanks so much for your part in that.

So, if you’re into praying I’d appreciate support for the surgery on Monday, for the staff on Caesar-Hawkins Ward at St George’s hospital, and especially for the family. I’ll send you an update in about three weeks to tell you about the next stage of this unexpected journey! Until then, may I say a very real thanks for your interest, love and support. I’m continuing to look to the Lord for strength.

Thanks again.

Prayers:

Please pray for my family, Jacqui, Andy, Chris and Jo and my dad Ronald.

Please lift up the team in the office, especially in these hectic days before the summer missions.

“Lord, I want to find a point of stillness, Deep in the heart of me.

Beyond the turmoil of these anxious days.

A place where the Peace of Christ

Rules supreme in me

A point of balance

A pool of stillness

A strength beyond my knowing

A power never before experienced

A place where the form and structure

Of my days is shaped by you

And not the pressure of my situation.

I know this place exists

For I have visited it across the years

But now I want much more than a cheap day return, I want to re-locate my life there.

May your eternal hope shape my days

So that my mortal fears may be extinguished by the vision of a Coming Kingdom, A returning Saviour, and an impending victory through the healing power of Christ.

Please feel free to forward this email if you wish. Anyone may subscribe by logging on to http://sharejesusinternational.com/mailing/edit.php Enter your email address …. and follow the prompts

Yours in Christ

Rob Frost

Rob’s Plugs

Cornish Pilgrimage

1-8 August 2007 - join Rob & Jacqui Frost and friends who will be walking sections of the Cornish Coastal Path this summer from Newquay to Land's End to raise funds for Christian Mission in the UK. Find out more by clicking here.

SPF-0: Exposed Polzeath

If you are 18+ then why not join *emergingculture for ten days of mission in Polzeath. Thousands of young people come to party each summer and we are partnering with the local church to communicate the Gospel. Find out more by clicking here.

Hope for Planet Earth

A major tour exploring the wonders of God's Creation, the effects of Climate Change and Hope for the World. Coming February and March 2008...

Road Trip

Do you want to communicate the message of Jesus to Surfers? Enjoy spending time on the beach or surfing barrels? Road Trip is a missional Pilgrimage; join us from 15 - 30 September 2007. Find further details here.

Pentecost

9 - 11 May 2008: join us in London for a massive week-end party with hundreds of events and high impact performances. It's a festival about life; in society, for society. For further details please click here.

The Team always appreciate your prayer support and if you would like to make a donation towards the work of Share Jesus International you can do so by clicking here.

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