A Miraculous Convergence of Timing and Events

Here, in list format, is the miraculous timing and circumstances surrounding Seth's emergency appendectomy. As background for this story I point out that we belong to a world-wide church. This means that wherever we go we have a built-in network of friends and contacts. This network of friends plays a prominent part in this story.

• We were on a Mediterranean cruise to Greece, Turkey, and Egypt. Being on a cruise actually made dealing with this much more comfortable.
• Seth suffered very acute appendicitis and needed emergency appendectomy.
• The timing of Seth's pain was such that we didn't know he needed surgery in Greece or Turkey. It wasn't until Egypt that it was determined that Seth's pain was caused by appendicitis.
• When Seth was in such pain on Sunday we sent the kids throughout the ship to find the other couple from our church that we had met on the cruise. They came straight to our cabin and prayed with us for Seth.
• The ultrasound doctor gave me confidence that calmed my anxiety and allowed me to trust the process and the rest of the doctors and nurses. My anxiety was very high. This was no small miracle.
• The surgeon on duty was experienced and spoke very good English.
• Elaine posted on Facebook that we needed some help in Egypt. Several people had contacts.
• One contact led to a member of the Church from Cairo contacting us in the hospital.
• Another contact led to the Embassy calling us in the hospital.
• After being released Seth and I wanted to get to Cairo to see the Pyramids and Sphinx before taking a plane to Rome to catch up with the family.
• After releasing us the surgeon asked what our plans were. We told him we were going to take a train to Cairo to meet up with our new church friend. The surgeon just happened to be going to Cairo that day and asked us to make the 5-hour trip with him in his car. He coordinated with our church friend. Our surgeon friend would not let me buy him lunch or pay for gas. I think we enjoyed each other's company during the drive. He called us each day to we were in Cairo to check on Seth.
• Our church friend's home was very comfortable and he and his wife were very generous.
• Our church friend took us to the Pyramids and the day was clear and cool. Elaine's day at the Pyramids was windy and dusty with limited visibility.
• Our church friend arranged plane tickets for Seth and me to Rome.
• Our church friend's driver took us to the airport.
• Our church friend's "expediter" helped us at the airport with a wheel chair for Seth, got us past EVERY line (checkin, passport control, security, etc), and got us to the gate in record time.
• Our church friends leave Egypt on Tuesday (after we left Saturday) for a trip to the states.
• The cruise line announced on Saturday that they will not be stopping in Egypt in near future cruises.
• When we started planning this trip we bought the extended traveler's insurance for each family member. I think it was something like $150/each. It is looking like it will cover all of our expenses (including travel) related to this experience.

Except for Seth's pain and the inconvenience this has all worked out so smoothly and easily. Without some of these miracles and angels this could have been a lot more difficult than it was. We don't know why, but somehow we needed to have this experience in Egypt. The timing and convergence of miracles doesn't leave any other conclusion.

This picture is evidence of the miraculous convergence of timing and events.