Hepatitis C

In the last few months of 2022, I began to feel really tired all the time. I just chalked it up to babysitting my grandson full time, my busy life, and getting older, in general. While I was at a blood pressure check my doctor decided to run some routine bloodwork. My liver enzymes came back slightly elevated. We rechecked in a month, and they were even more elevated. My doctor ordered more tests and on March 2, 2023, my bloodwork came back positive for hepatitis C. My husband, Dave, and I were shocked. 

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that can only be obtained by coming in contact with contaminated blood. I have lived a clean life and have not done any of the things people do to contract it. Hep C can lay dormant for years before ever becoming chronic. I could only speculate that somewhere, somehow my healthcare or dental care had been compromised.

The day I got the diagnosis, I took the dog for a short walk. I prayed as I walked, “God, I know you’re there. I know you’ll be with me and that you’ll be with us as we walk through this together.” And I continued to walk. I wasn’t really thinking about anything and then I heard that still small voice speak to my heart, “You will be healed,” and I felt peace. I didn’t know if it would be through a miracle He chose to perform or if it would be through doctors and medication, but I knew I would be healed.

The next days were spent making an appointment with a specialist, getting more bloodwork done, and researching. All the while becoming more and more fatigued. The antiviral medication the specialist prescribed cost $75,000 without insurance for the 3-month course of treatment and there was much red tape and many hoops to jump through. A major praise was that with our insurance, it cost us less than $100. It took 2 weeks to get the medication and on March 25, 2023, I took the first pill. The main side effect of the medication was fatigue so for 3 months, I could hardly do anything except go to church on Sunday mornings. On June 16, 2023, I took the last pill. 

I had to wait 3 months after the last dose to have the final bloodwork done to be officially cleared of the infection. During those 3 months, I got my energy back, went to my son’s wedding in Montana, took an Alaskan cruise, and lived life. On September 13, 2023, I received the news that Hepatitis C is undetectable in my body!

God has been so faithful in my life and in Dave’s life, throughout this journey. I’m so thankful for the many thoughts and prayers of our family and friends. We couldn’t have made it without you. You lifted us up and were the hands and feet of Jesus to us. Most of all, I give all praise, honor, and glory to Jesus! I remembered God’s words to me that I would be healed as I read the good report. It wasn’t the immediate supernatural miracle that I hoped for. Instead, God chose to use doctors and medicine to bring healing to my body. But I praise him nonetheless because this medicine has only been on the market 7 years. His timing is always perfect. 

Wednesday, November 1st

5:15pm - 6:30pm I Family Dinner

6:30pm - 7:30pm I Adult Discipleship Groups I Chapel Youth I Chapel Kids I Nursery [view groups]

8:00pm - 9:00pm I NEXT GEN Encounter

Sunday, November 5th

8:30am, 9:45am & 11:15am I Donut Sunday

12:45pm - 1:45pm I NEXT GEN Connect

6:00pm - 8:00pm I Home Groups I Chapel Kids I Nursery I Chapel Youth D-Groups  [get involved]

Tuesday, November 7th

9:30am - 11:30am I Chapel Women Bible Study [sign up]

Wednesday, November 8th

5:15pm - 6:30pm I Family Dinner

6:30pm - 7:30pm I Adult Discipleship Groups I Chapel Youth I Chapel Kids I Nursery [view groups]

8:00pm - 9:00pm I NEXT GEN Encounter

Friday, November 10th

7pm I ORU Home Game (vs Mid-America Christian) [reserve tickets]

Friday, November 10th - Saturday, November 11th

Chapel Youth Fall Retreat [sign up]

Saturday, November 11th - Monday, November 20th

Brazil Missions Trip

Tuesday, November 14th

9:30am - 11:30am I Chapel Women Bible Study [sign up]

Wednesday, November 15th

5:15pm - 6:30pm I Family Dinner

6:30pm - 7:30pm I Adult Discipleship Groups I Chapel Youth I Chapel Kids I Nursery [view groups]

8:00pm - 9:00pm I NEXT GEN Encounter

Sunday, November 19th

6:00pm - 8:00pm I All Church Thanksgiving Meal

Tuesday, November 21st

7pm I ORU Home Game (vs Texas Southern) [reserve tickets]

Wednesday, November 22nd

THANKSGIVING BREAK I No Wednesday Activities

Sunday, November 26th

12:30pm - 3:00pm I Church Christmas Decorating [sign up]

Wednesday, November 29th

5:15pm - 6:30pm I Family Dinner

6:30pm - 7:30pm I Adult Discipleship Groups I Chapel Youth I Chapel Kids I Nursery [view groups]

8:00pm - 9:00pm I NEXT GEN Encounter

Join us for a family meal served on Wednesday nights, starting from 5:15pm - 6:30pm. 

Adult Groups, Chapel Youth and Chapel Kids run from 6:30pm - 7:30pm. Nursery is available. 

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Stephen Kuert was born to missionary parents serving in Nairobi, Kenya. As he grew up he discovered a calling to be part of God’s work in Kenya. Stephen’s wife, Bailey, was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At seven years old, she has a school assignment on Kenya and became passionate about saving all the elephants. When Bailey gave her life to the Lord at sixteen, she felt a calling to missions. That early passion for Kenya moved from saving elephants to saving people! Stephen & Bailey met at a missions training event at Oral Roberts University. Their mutual love for Jesus, missions, and Kenya created connections that led to marriage. 

In 2017, the Kuert's launched, Involved International. The Great Commission was the inspiration behind the name. They see Jesus’ command to make disciples as an invitation to be involved in the lives of others. 

Over the last seven years, Involved International has planted 180 churches. The majority of those churches have been planted in Burundi and Kenya. Involved International has also built 35 schools in Burundi and Kenya. The schools are attached to local churches and give the congregations increased standing, influence, and ministry opportunities in their community. 

Involved International’s ministry currently reaches from Kenya to the eastern side of the Democratic Republic of Congo. They have prayers to reach even further. The Kuert's have developed effective partnerships with numerous indigenous church movements including the Assemblies of God in each nation they serve.

They have seen an incredible harvest in Burundi. This portion of their ministry is near the heart of Christian Chapel as we have worked with the Kuerts to provide funding for nearly 30 church construction projects in Burundi. Pastor Chris Dow traveled to Burundi in October 2022 to visit with national church leaders, minister in churches, and follow up on projects that we have funded. 

Stephen says, “What is happening in Burundi right now is remarkable. Pastors are releasing people with a call to plant from within their congregation to start the one-year church planting process. This includes church plant training, internships, evaluations, seminars, and launching new churches. This year, 30 people have committed to the process and will soon be released to plant all over Burundi. Thank you so much for continuing to help make a healthy church plant within walking distance possible for every Burundian.”