For Michal Ann and James W. Goll!

Health Update - June 6th, 2007
1-877-200-1604 | www.jamesgoll.com

A Crisis Situation!

Many of you have probably heard of the recent crisis that has arisen in the Goll family household. In recent weeks, our battle with cancer has greatly intensified. Michal Ann was admitted for 12 days of treatment in March at the Oasis of Hope Cancer Treatment Hospital followed by 5 days in May. I also was admitted for a week in March to buoy up my immune system as well in my personal fight with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

In March we became aware that the cancer with Michal Ann had progressed from the liver to the right lung and that the doctors were closely watching other areas of concern. It was felt in May though that progress was being made as things appeared to be in check (not growing). But upon her return home the second week of May, it became obvious that something was just not right. Michal Ann began to have headaches that would just not lift. This progressed to her being very tired and somewhat “detached and disoriented” at times. Other symptoms started appearing. It was thought for a while that she might be having a bad reaction to one of her chemo pills that she was taking. But the headaches persisted.

Our doctor in Nashville, TN then attempted to get a CT head scan approved through our insurance company – but we were unsuccessful in our attempt. So we kept observing and monitoring closely her condition. A little over week ago other complications began to manifest and we had to take action. Our personal physician told me to take Michal Ann to the ER room and request that they give her CT scan to the head. So off we went to the emergency room at the hospital.

To our shock we were told that she had at least two tumors in her brain – one rather large - and a great deal of swelling. They gave her some steroids to ease the swelling and reduce the pain and we got home around 1:30 am. It was a long and difficult night. The next day we talked and prayed with our doctor and investigated various options. It became obvious that we were dealing with a crisis and we needed to act swiftly.

After taking consultation with various doctors, we knew that our next step was to get an appointment with a neurosurgeon but that there were no openings – so we had to make another “end around play”. The next option was to take my wife the next day to ER at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville and demand to see a neurosurgeon. So this is exactly what we did.

Last Friday morning I took my dear wife into ER for the second time in three days. By God’s grace we found favor and the top neurosurgeon at Vanderbilt Hospital came and saw my wife. His diagnosis to us was not the most positive and after having an MRI, he put her on even stronger steroids and sent us home – hoping that the swelling in her brain would subside and the pain would abate. A plan of attack was agreed upon and an appointment was set for the following Tuesday, June 5th. That Friday for me was the hardest day of my life – I was exhausted, my emotions were frayed and I was in need myself. I sent out a little e-mail to a few people and prayer began to arise.

The pain in Michal Ann’s head subsided and she began to think more clearly and be more herself. That brings us to our visit Tuesday.

Present Diagnosis for Michal Ann

We met Tuesday again with the top neurosurgeon. He told us that there are three tumors. One is the size of a golf ball located at the left front of the brain. The second one is the size of a baseball and located at the back of the head. Both of these growths are at the surface of the brain and therefore make them operable. The third tumor, about the size of a marble, is on the right front of the head. The smallest tumor will not be removed at this time as the doctors do not want to operate on both the right and left front of the brain in one setting. This smaller tumor might be treated through radiation a couple of weeks after surgery.

The plan right now is for Michal Ann to have “markers put on her head” on Thursday afternoon, June 7th and another MRI done that evening. Then she will enter the hospital on Friday morning at 6:30 am followed by major surgery beginning at 8:30am. Without complications the surgery will last into the afternoon. She would then be put into ICU and be hospitalized for 3 – 5 days barring any complications. Recovery at home could be up to 6 weeks. Radiation will possibly begin around two weeks after the surgery.

There is much we do not know. But we have to trust the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understandings. We can and we do trust the Lord!

Because we are asked many questions and there are many wonderful people who care so very much around the nation(s), let me simply categorically address some of the issues one by one.

Answers to the most frequently asked questions:

The Longevity of the Battle

How Are You Michal Ann Bearing Up?

I was diagnosed with cancer in August of 2002 and I am my second round of the fight. I still have a 3 inch growth with active cancer in it located behind my stomach. The growth at my left collar bone no longer exists – so progress was been made. Michal Ann then was found to have colon cancer in December 2004 when they removed her entire colon and other organs. She has had many victories and some recent set backs.

It has already been a very long battle for both us. The battle has intensified recently and we must continue in faith, prayer and every means possible to wage war against the cancer that has afflicted our bodies. We have gotten weary in seasons but then we get reignited by the ministry of our precious Hold Spirit and we continue. But we, like each of you, are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus! Yes, pray for our strength and for the well being of our entire family.

Ministry Engagement

What Are You and Michal Ann Doing?

I had my own recent difficult bout of complications in the months of March and April that made my traveling ministry very difficult. So once again, I have needed to curtail most of my public traveling ministry due to my own health issues. I have cut way back on this form of ministry and have little scheduled until August. All things are in the hands of the Lord.

My personal focus is on TheCall Nashville for 7-7-07 as I am the chairman of the Host Steering Team and on the Board of Directors with Lou Engle. I have been teaching a Wednesday morning Bible Study each week and working on various writing projects.

Michal Ann had some great meetings this spring but has not been able to do any ministry or household duties for the past several weeks. Her Compassion Acts team continues to move forward in humanitarian aid projects whether to Africa, the First Nations peoples or investigating relief work into Mexico as well. This work continues and we are thrilled with it.

Yes, we are still doing our 10th Annual Women on the Frontlines Conference 2007 on August 1st-4th and our Israel Awakening Conference on September 6th-8th both here in Nashville. I will focus my energies on what is necessary and empower others to move forward in ministry.

Financial Concerns

What Are Your Needs?

Fortunately, we have good health and hospitalization insurance. All of our alternative treatment that we undergo – which is extensive and expensive – is not covered by our insurance though. The lack of mobile ministry in turn brings its own ramifications on our financial flow – as our ministry staff and the many outreaches that we support around the world are dependent upon the gifts of God’s people and the product sales from our many resources. These have been our two primary income streams. While I state the above, let us be clear, the Lord is our source and not man. He is more than enough!

Again, we need more monthly underwriters to partner with us at Encounters Network and business leaders to invest in our Kingdom mandates. Thanks goes to all the faithful people who have supported us over the years. You are so special to us! And yes, we need your on-going support in this intense season.

So pray that funds continue to be released to EN to sustain our entire staff these summer months and beyond.

What Changes?

What Are You and Michal Ann Changing?

We will both continue in our holistic approach to health and healing including alternative, nutritional and traditional approaches. But again, the Lord is our strength and we look to Him as our source of life and healing. We are looking at purchasing some ozone equipment to have at home and some other alternative approaches.

We are shoring up our relational covering at this time. While Michal Ann and I remain a part of the Harvest International Ministries apostolic team with Dr. Che Ahn, and our family is committed members of Grace Center as our local church in Franklin, TN, we have felt the need to expand the relational authority in our lives. So we are actively at work on this front.

We also have a great Board of Directors and a “personal advisory team” made up of key leaders who have a distinct care in God for our lives and ministry. We will take things one step at a time and make any changes the Master indicates and our relational authority confirms.

How Are Your Kids Handling Everything?

Great question! Each of our four kids responds differently at different times. Again, it has been a long battle for our entire family and it is not over yet! The stress and the strain have worn on us all from time to time. Questions get asked, some of which we have answers for and some we ask along with them. Recently Tyler said, “This makes me mad at the devil!” We all echo a big AMEN to that one!

Justin will be completing film school in California on June 15th after which he will fly back to Nashville for a month to be here with us as a family. We are glad that he will be here for mom’s recovery time. He will return to California looking for a job in film.

GraceAnn has just completed her sophomore year at Belmont University in Nashville and has been an administrative assistant in our ministry for the past few years. She departs on July 2nd for Sydney, Australia to do international studies in art therapy for a year! Mom’s illness makes her departure all the more difficult, but we all know that this is “her time to shine” and she needs to pursue her destiny in God.

Tyler completed high school in December and works part time with our ministry. He lives at home and begins college this fall. Rachel completed high school a year early and just finished modeling school as well. She will begin working with our ministry beginning in July and pursue college this fall as well. They are both hanging in there and praying with the rest of us for a miracle. We have four amazing young adults as our children, and as parents we could not be more pleased!

How Can We Pray?

I have a two pronged approach right now:

Plan A – Miracles! Miracles! Miracles!

Yes, agree with us in Jesus name for the supernatural hand of God to be upon our lives and to eradicate all cancer cells. Michal Ann will have another MRI done this Thursday evening to compare with the one from last Friday. So – we still have time for a breakthrough! Pray for miracles! (Miracles are the undeniable attestation of a sudden and instantaneous act of God.)

Plan B – Healing! Healing! Healing!

If we do not get a miracle right now, then pray for healing to come! (Healings are usually gradual and progressive and yet also sent from above to those in need in Jesus name.) So pray for healing! Pray for the doctors. Pray for the neurosurgeon. Pray for protection from all complications. Ask the Lord for provision. Cry out to the Lord for strength and supernatural recovery. Ask the Lord for His healing virtue to be released.

• We are praying for God’s grace to strengthen our faith to see miracles and healing manifest in my body. (Read Zechariah 4:7; Romans 4:20-21; Hebrews 10:23; 1 Corinthians 12:9-10)

• We are forbidding every unhealthy growth and tumor from inhabiting my body. We are decreeing that the radiance of God’s power and glory dissolve every unhealthy growth and strengthen and purify my immune system. (Read Colossians 1:13-14; Habakkuk 3:4; Hebrews 1:3; Job 22:28)

• We are aggressively taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Spiritual realities supercede earthly realities. (Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Philippians 4:6-9; Proverbs 4:20-23; Psalm 118:17; 1 Peter 2:24)

Please Note: Our Health Updates are archived on our website and tell how you can be praying for Michal Ann and I. With each new report, it does not do away with past prayer requests as there are overlaps and some duplications. The new report simply informs you as to how God has been leading us to pray in recent weeks. We cannot thank you enough for standing in the gap on our behalf!

Blessings to Each You! Join us on the Walls at this Time!

James W. and Michal Ann Goll and Family and the EN Staff and Team

On-Going Assistance

We are grateful to any who may feel led to help cover our ministry operational budget for the next few months as well the additional costs for both Michal Ann and James for their alternative treatments.

Thanks so much for your assistance during this season! Perhaps you could consider becoming one of our new Network Sponsors – monthly contributors. Any way you can come to our aid would be wonderful! The following are a few simple ways you could consider helping:

• A one time special gift to Encounters Network. click here to donate

  If you would like to give specifically to the Oasis program and our medical expenses, please select "Mercy Assistance Fund" from the drop down menu. All "General Donations" will go toward the ongoing operational expenses of Encounters Network.

• Becoming a new Monthly Network Sponsor (see our website for more details). click here for more details
  
  
• Joining our Network Prayer Warriors (again, see the website for more details). click here for more details
  
  
• Subscribing to Kairos Magazine ($5 of each subscription is donated to EN).
  $5 of each subscription is donated to EN
  
  
• Purchase of EN product from our online bookstore

In addition to the online options above, you may also contribute by calling 1-877-200-1604 or by mailing it to our offices at P. O. Box 1653, Franklin, TN 37065.

Your ongoing assistance is enormously appreciated!