For most of you parents the image above either brings a smile to your face or a knot in your stomach.  I probably fall into the first category.  I enjoy the flashing lights, the cup of tokens and seeing the smiles on all the kids faces.  (Now the pizza is another subject.)  But there is one game at Chuck E. Cheese that emits an aura of black haze.  It's called the 'Whack-a-Mole' or 'Smack-a-Gopher' or something like that.  You know what I'm talking about.  You grab this mallet and try to crush the varmint that dares stick his head above ground.  No matter how fast you are or how hard you grip the mallet the pesky things always disappear before you get a good crushing blow to the cranium.  You finish the game sweaty, frustrated and with few tickets.  It's a game you seldom play more than once and will avoid at all costs most of the time.

We flew into DFW last Friday and our luggage flew into DFW over the next several days, but it all arrived.  We took a couple of days to make the necessary adjustments and we are starting to get settled.  I think you intially go through a period of denial when your child is diagnosed with cancer and eventually transform into a period of ready to fight this disease.  Just when you have yourself all prepped and ready to do all that is necessary, a new villain makes an appearance.  We were told by the doctors in Prague that there were no signs of cancer cells in the body other than the tumor on his 1st rib.  Apparently, they sent the bone marrow off for tests that take several weeks to complete.  The results were emailed to us two days ago.  "We found tumor cells in right site of bone marrow."  History tells the doctors that chances of curing Ewing's Sarcoma at a single site is very high, but with the cancer cells being in the marrow our percentages were cut-in half.  All of my worry and sadness swell the tighter I grip the mallet and my frustration and helplessness boil over as I am unable to stop the continous flow of unwanted pests in Payton's life.  Some days it is very easy for me to hand the mallet to the Lord and say 'It's yours, I can't do it."  But then there are some 'human moments' that creep in when I want to grap the mallet and smash until I'm to exhausted to smash anymore.  I really want to play a different game.

Prayer needs: 

• Payton - Simply put, we need a miracle. Please pray for the healing of Payton's body.
  We have more tests this week and early next week.  Then the plan is to place a line in his chest to administer chemotherapy.  After chemo they will reassess the situation and continue with surgery or radiation and then more chemotherapy.  The treatment should last at least 9 months.
• Doctors and cancer team - wisdom and clarity
• Robin and the baby due in October 
• Insurance & Finances
  Cleburne Bible Church has established a medical fund for Payton.  All contributions are tax deductible.  The address is:
  Cleburne Bible Church
  PO Box 1522
  Cleburne, TX  76033
      *Please write Chumbley-Missions on memo line.
• Transportation - we need an 8 passenger vehicle to use while Payton is in treatment.
• We are technically on a Medical Leave of Absence from our work overseas.  We will be doing some work for WorldVenture and ACSI (Associated Christian Schools International) in recruiting new missionaries.  We will also be speaking about the needs of missions in Eastern Europe and the impact on TCKs.  If you would like for us to speak to your group please feel free to email or call me.  We will continue to need the financial as well as prayer support of our partners during this time we are stateside.
  

Our contact info is:

Terry & Robin Chumbley
1509 Tennyson Dr.
Cleburne, TX  76033

chumnsons@hotmail.com
817-645-8143

I tried for several days to respond to all the emails, phone calls and cards.  I give up.  The outpouring of love and concern for our little boy has been overwhelming.  Your cards, words and encouragement have healed our wounded souls.  Your prayers have uplifted our spirits and ministered to us.  We could never thank you enough, but thanks for your love for our family.

God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now
God, be near, calm my fear
And take my doubt
Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in

I will lift my eyes to the Maker
of the mountains I can’t climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

God, my God, let Mercy sing
her melody over me
God, right here all I bring
is all of me 
Cause You are and You were and You will be forever
The Lover I need to save me
Cause You fashioned the earth and You hold it together, God
So hold me now
______________________________________________________________________________________________

We have made the decision to return to the states (Cook's Childrens Hospital in Ft. Worth) this week for Payton's treatments.  It was a very difficult decision to leave our new home, the physical one and the emotional one.  We were starting to feel less like "tourists" and more like residents in the last several weeks.  But we are excited to return for a few reasons:  to see family, to be able to order in a restaurant, air-conditioning and Dr. Pepper................in no specific order.  We will continue to keep our home in Prague and use it for families like ourselves, serving in a new culture, who need a place to live until they can find their own.  This is a valuable ministry in itself.  We know........we lived it.  We will also work with WorldVenture in the states helping to recruit new missionaries from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area as well as work with ACSI in recruiting new teachers for serving overseas.  We will also be available to speak to any group that would like to hear about our ministry and the needs in the Czech Republic.  We are excited about the opportunity to continue serving in Christian education while in the states.  It is our prayer to return to Prague once Payton is well and continue the work in front of us.  We will continue to need our partner support to keep these ministries going and prayerfully ask that you continue to support our ministry, even though we are 5,346 miles from where we planned to serve. Thanks again for your support, faithfulness and understanding.

Several have asked how they can help with travel and medical expenses.  Our plane tickets back to the states will cost around $7,000 and we have no idea what our complete medical expenses will be.  If you feel lead to help in these areas any donations can be made to WorldVenture (donation button on the right of this page) and be tax deductible, or any donations (not tax deductible) can be sent to:

Terry Chumbley
1509 Tennyson Ln.
Cleburne, TX  76033

Again, thanks for ministering to our needs and continue to pray for Payton's healing.  We serve a God that hears our prayers and loves us unconditionally.

I'll admit it;  I cry at movies, often.  I haven't seen ET since it was first released and I will never watch Where the Red Fern Grows, ever.  I'm a sucker for feel good movies: Rocky still gets me, Remember The Titans......yep, and Miracle.  The 1980 Winter Olympics were to good to be true.  The outmanned and outgunned USA team, comprised of kids who had yet to wear out their first razor versus the evil empire USSR hockey team.  The Soviets were mature and had not been beaten in 15 years and the Americans hadn't beaten anyone yet. We were introduced to Jim Craig, Mike Eruzione and Herb Brooks; names I will never forget even though I was only 14 in 1980 and could care less about hockey. USA - 4, USSR - 3.  David had just slain the Giant. It was one of the moments that you remember exactly where you were and what you were doing as the infamous words of Al Michaels let us know that the impossible was occurring.  "Do you believe in miracles........................YES!"  I still get chills up my spine when I hear that exclamation. 

We met with the oncologists today to discuss the results of Payton's tests and formulate a plan to attack this tumor.  The tests confirmed what we had already been told-----the tumor is malignant and is called Ewing's Sarcoma (PNET).  It is a very aggressive bone cancer generally not found in someone as young as Payton.  We were blessed to find it early while it is small and that will work to our advantage.  The plan is to attack it with chemotherapy in 3-4 day spans every 3 weeks for 16 total weeks.  The hope is then it will be small enough to remove by surgery.  The surgeon is skeptical that he will be able to be remove it after chemo due to its location.  They feel it will still be way to dangerous to operate so close to major arteries.  They feel that radiation treatments will be needed prior to surgery.  The oncologists believes that Payton has a 65-75% chance of complete recovery.  That's a great batting average, but doesn't sound so good when its your son's life.  I have to admit that I was I filled with a peace that I did not expect.  That 'peace that passes all understanding' is real.  It's the gentle ripple of the Holy Spirit in times when you expect waves.  It's the wrapping of loving arms around you when you are expecting the squeeze that shortens your breath.  What a comfort it is to know that the creator of each of us and all things is in total control.  We continue to pray for complete healing, comfort and wisdom as we seek guidance in making some big decisions.  Please join us in that prayer.  And yes Al, you better believe we still do! YES!

I really enjoy traveling with my family.  It's always an adventure when the 7 of us pile into a vehicle and head off into the great unknown.  It has been quite a while since I have used a map to find my way around anywhere.  But since we have been in Europe we have relied heavily on maps to find our way around.  The streets in Europe are seldom labelled and change names every 8 blocks or so.  Robin and I have known for many years that we don't travel well with her in charge of the map and me repeatedly asking which way?  She is no Sacagawea and I am certainly no Lewis nor Clark.  Our pastor here in Prague bought a Tom-Tom GPS system which is great until you drive through one of the hundreds of tunnels in Europe and it loses connections.  There are no easy trips when you are unsure of where you are going.

Payton was allowed to come home Friday afternoon and we are very excited to all be sleeping under the same roof again.  He will return to the hospital to his stitches removed on Wednesday (June 6th) and we will meet with the surgeon and oncologist at that time to get the 'name' of this unwelcome guest that has invaded Payton's body.  The doctors will also tell us the plan they have for treating this tumor.  We will then have all test results translated into English and send them back to the states to get a second opinion.  That is when the big decisions will need to be made.  Do we return to the states for treatment?  Do we stay here and continue the ministry that we have been privileged to be a part of?  What do we do with our stuff; our house?  Which way, Lord?  I want it all laid out on a road map so that I can see the exits, street names and directions that we need to prepare for.  Our trip the last twelve months has been quite a voyage.  So much has changed and we have grown in so many ways. The outpouring of affection, concern and genuine love from all parts of the world for little Payton and our family has been unbelievable.  There truly are no English words to express the appreciation we have for each of you and your concern for our family.  Your prayers, letters and phone calls have helped establish a foundation of support that has kept us going. The body of Christ has ministered to us and we give Him all the praise.  He knows where we are going and He is with us each and every step of the way.  He is the great comforter, healer and provider and you have been the hands and feet that have shown his faithfulness. Thank you..............

Continue to pray for healing for Payton and comfort.  He still has times of great chest pain and can't sleep because of it.  Pray for wisdom and clarity in regard to the many decisions forthcoming.  Pray for the doctors, nurses and staff at Motol Hospital in Prague.  Pray for Robin and the new baby due in October. 

If you wish to get hold of us, this is our mailing address and we have an 817 area code phone number (via the internet) that rings in our house.  You are welcome to call us anytime, just remember that we are 7 hours ahead of the Central Time zone.  I have included some pictures of Payton on our website if you want to put a face with the name that you are praying for.

Terry Chumbley
Na Balkane 42
130 00, Prague 3
Czech Republic

Phone Number 1-817-506-0374
chumbley@worldventure.net