Pastor Paul Forsyth called at least once every month to find out what was going on, encourage and motivate me, and let me know I had a friend praying.

In June 1990, Brother Paul, as we all called him, was back in Arequipa. We were living in Sachaca. One day he mentioned that someone in our family had “the sugar!” That’s “country talk” for diabetes. I told him I didn’t think so. He was adamant that the ants found sugar on the toilet.

Chris complained about his vision. He saw the eye doctor, but the doctor never mentioned diabetes. They gave him glasses, and we moved him closer to the blackboard at school.A neighbor questioned why Chris was so skinny. After Brother Paul left, Betty and I took Chris to the doctor. The first was a USA-trained doctor.He felt like Chris had diabetes but wouldn’t commit. Diabetes was totally new in Peru. That doctor sent us to an endocrinologist.

While we were waiting for the first doctor to examine Chris, I sat alone outside. I cried out to God in agony. “Why God! In a time of armed conflict, I left home and moved to Peru. Why would you do this to me? “Why, Lord, hurt and angry, I called out to him to heal Chris or let us know we had made a mistake.

Chris got a second opinion after the first doctor said he had diabetes. The endocrinologist examined Chris and agreed it was diabetes. The doctor prescribed insulin shots for Chris. The doctor only gave two units of insulin twice a day. He said we would evaluate each week and up the dose if necessary. We had to take Chris in for blood samples, and we could usually find out how his sugar was doing in 24 or 48 hours.

Every day, Chris seemed to get weaker. He was losing more weight. He hurt. His calfs hurt so bad he could hardly walk. We were getting desperate. I finally called my mother and told her I needed to talk with a diabetes specialist. We didn’t know what would happen to Chris. We needed help. My mother called her doctor. The doctor called me from her cell phone at the store where she was shopping. She asked questions. She concluded he had diabetes.

She asked about blood and urine tests. I explained it took 24 hours for blood test results. She said they now sold a machine that gave the person with diabetes their own glucose reading in two minutes.

I asked about the insulin shots. The doctor was noncommittal. As one doctor, she didn’t want to speak poorly of another doctor. Finally, I asked her what she would do if he were her son. She told me she would have him on the next plane out. She said if he showed up at her office the first of the week, he would have fun at six flags in 4 or 5 days. I couldn’t believe it. She told us he would get a machine to check his blood several times daily. Chris would take at least four shots a day.

I told her he would be on the first plane. My schedule had me preaching at a national meeting of pastors for one of the mission boards. Betty agreed to take Chris back alone. I would stay with the other three children.

We didn’t know what to do. Betty alone flew with Chris from Arequipa to Lima. From there, she flew to Miami and then on to Atlanta. To help his diabetes, the airline offered fruit. This only increased his sugar levels.

Betty was a nervous wreck by the time she arrived in Atlanta. God blessed. Chris saw the doctor, the treatment worked, and Chris was better. It was challenging to learn to give himself shots several times a day. He learned to inject himself in the stomach, thigh, arm, or wherever to alternate the pain of the prick. He also had to test his blood glucose levels by pricking his finger six or eight times a day.

Continually checking his blood, taking shots, and calculating the number of carbs in his food to give the correct dose was a tall order for a 14-year-old. Teenagers hate anything that makes them different.

Suddenly, this carefree young teenager had to carry tons of medical supplies, a blood checker, insulin, syringes, finger pricker, and then the candy if he overmedicated. He has dealt with it for 30 years.

I went to Lima and preached at the conference. I had a wonderful time, but was constantly worried about Betty and Chris. It was challenging to keep up without cell phones and the internet. Betty recorded every word of every conversation so I wouldn’t miss out and could become knowledgeable enough to help Chris as his dad.

Things were easier back in Arequipa. Betty and Chris were gone for about two weeks. Being who they are, the Hunter Church got together and made meals for my family every day. They made at least one enormous meal a day during Betty’s absence. They thought about our family during this time of economic hardship.

The guys and I kept meeting. Finally, Betty came home. Chris was back to normal. The diabetes wasn’t killing him like before.

Meditate on these truths:

Friends are so wonderful. When things don’t go well, genuine friends still love you. Brother Paul was all of that to my family and me. I loved him like he was a part of the family. I never had a problem when I didn’t hear from him. To this day, I rank his friendship and love among the best I have ever experienced.

Bad things happen to good people. Chris had done nothing wrong to deserve to have a life-debilitating disease like diabetes. The disease didn’t change God’s love for Chris. Together, my family has sung many times the song “Rejoice in the Lord for He makes no mistakes; God never moves without purpose or plan!” I think that song got us through some very horrible days.

You must learn to believe and truly accept that everything that happens in your life, no matter how much it hurts, is God-filtered and God-approved. God gives us strength to deal with all the issues He allows to happen in our life. No matter how hard they are, God will use it all for His honor and glory when troubles come.

God’s people learn to think of others and meet their needs. The generosity of the believers in Hunter was overwhelming. They took care of my family for well over a week. They were always so super kind.

Trust God to bring you friends, trust Him no matter what happens or how hard it gets. Know that your God will meet your needs both financially, emotionally, and spiritually.