A NOTE FROM DAVE
Thank you for keeping up with Gloria’s updates the last couple of days. I am deeply appreciative of all your prayers. The cancellation yesterday was discouraging because most likely the surgery won’t be rescheduled for at least 4 more months. For an optimal surgery both of the nerve doctors need to operate together, and both of them won’t be together in Dubai until September.
The doctors took a lot of time with me yesterday explaining why they canceled the surgery. They gave good reasons about lack of time, adequate facilities and instruments, and personnel support from the hospital. They said they understand if I wanted to complain to their supervisors and the hospital, and they understand if I were angry with them. I told them I wasn’t angry… just sad. They had to leave so the hand specialist could catch his flight, so they asked me to send them my thoughts over email today.
So, I wanted to share with you my thoughts and ask you to pray again. Copied below is the email I’ve sent to my doctors:
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Dear Doctor __________ and Doctor __________,
We just wanted to sincerely express our thankfulness to you for all your work yesterday and this past week. We both feel very cared for by you and we respect the decision you made to cancel the surgery. We believe that you did not take this decision lightly because of the severity of my pain and this was not a simple postponement of just a few more days.
Regardless of the circumstances I find myself in– in severe pain and ongoing struggles because of my disabilities, I’m confident that I have hope for the future. I’m confident that the two of you and your colleagues have accurately diagnosed my nerve pain and devised a plan that could solve the problem. I’m confident that you sincerely care for the situation that me and my family are in. And I’m confident that the decisions you are making are supported by your excellent training and experience.
Beyond my confidence in these things, I’m hopeful most of all because my faith is not in my health or physical abilities, but in God. I’ve shared with you that I’m a Christian. In essence, that means that I believe my sin separates me from God. And because God loved me He sent His Son Jesus to die on a cross and raised Him from the dead three days later, victorious over the powers of darkness, and my sin and my pain and ultimately the physical death I will face someday. What a gift! Every day I’m overwhelmed with God’s grace in doing this on my behalf, because there’s nothing I could have done to earn or deserve such a gift.
So, regardless of whether or not my arms are healed, regardless of whether or not I can pick up my daughters and hold my wife, regardless of any nerve pain or disabilities, I know that nothing will ever separate me from the love of God through His Son Jesus.
Today I am praising God for His care for me through you. There are several things I want to specifically thank you for…
- Thank you for all of the work you did in these last few days in trying to make this surgery happen. Phone calls and emails with our insurance, coordinating with hospitals, visiting with me in your office for hours and hours, answering our dozens of questions, and collaborating with one another over the best course of action. I know there is so much more that went on behind the scenes that I don’t know about, and I’m thankful for all of it.
- Thank you for caring more for my safety and that I have excellent treatment at the hospital, rather than just doing another surgery.
- Thank you for all of the time you spent with us after the cancellation. The time you spent with me outside the operating room and in the hospital room was deeply encouraging even though we were obviously very sad about the circumstances.
- Thank you for your willingness and even enthusiasm to continue this journey with us in the future.
We’ll be in touch–
Dave Furman
PS: I’ll jump back in the pool this week to start my pool therapy. 
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So, dear friends and family, with all this said, please pray that I would practice what I preach– that Jesus + Nothing = Everything.
Please pray that I would count it all joy when I face various trials and nerve pain and sadness. Please pray that my doctors would see the power of God– in saving a wretched sinner like me to love Him for who He is and not merely loving Him for the gifts He gives. And that God would shine in their hearts to give them the light of the knowledge of His glory in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 4:6).
Thank you for all of your love, encouragement, and support.
- Dave
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
Dear Dave,
I’m so encouraged by your faithful response to this situation. May the words of Psalm 30 give you hope in the goodness of the Lord at times like these.
Looking forward to dinner with you guys next week. Are y’all still good for that?
David
Dave, thank you. I know there will be days of frustration and temptation to be angry at the doctors and other folks at the hospital who maybe could have sacrificed just a little more so you wouldn’t have to, but I also know that you are absolutely correct, Jesus + Nothing = Everything. I pray that His grace will indeed be sufficient for you and that his power will be made perfect in weakness. We’ll keep praying for you and looking forward to the time when those doctors are able to return to Dubai and perform the surgery.
What a beautiful testimony! I am so sorry that you have to endure this any longer, but I am so blessed by your words to your doctors. I am sure that God is using you through this situation, though the disappointment and grief are so deep. Praying with faith that you will once again have strength and be free of pain.
We ALL love you and GOD loves you more…and we continue to keep you in our prayers for our God is The Supreme Healer!
thanks for sharing this heartfelt letter, dave. your sadness and physical pain is evident, and we are sorry you have to bear it. but we praise God with you for his grace and mercy to continue on, and for the hope of healing here on earth, and of course in heaven.
love you guys,
rikki and eric
Dave, I cannot even imagine how crushed you must have been when they cancelled the surgery. Just know that you and Gloria both are an inspiration to me and many others that we can stand in God’s love and be whole even in hard times. You have definitely given your surgeons something to think about too and I hope they hear the calling in their hearts! I will keep praying for all involved in the surgery and the Furman family.
Thank you Dave for your testimony…to show that God is enough despite our sufferings here on earth…You are such an encouragement to me and I thank God for you and Gloria. I am praying hard for you and your family, your ministry, health that His will be done, and his name be made known great through you. My faith is strengthened by knowing the Furman family..i am so grateful for your obedience. Hope to see you soon:)
You both inspire me beyond belief. What’s getting me through life right now is Hebrews 11:1. Not that you need me giving you a bible verse, but I hope it speaks volumes to you too….love and miss you guys so very much.
Will continue to pray for you Dave. I know this cannot be easy for you and Gloria and the kids. Nobody enjoys being in pain, physical or emotional or spiritual. We love you guys. More importantly, so does our God. Hang in there and be strong, patient and wise.
Dave,
Greetings from “Down-Under”! We will continue to pray for you and the family in this time of need and pain. The letter to your doctors was amazing, Go team Jesus! Your faith is a shining beacon of God’s good grace and love. In all His sovereignty and wisdom His timing is always the best! Pass our love to Gloria, the kids and the rest of the Redeemer family! We miss ya guys & Redeemer! Nigel & Kristen Narara lost Down Under….
Praying for you guys, Dave! Reading about your lives is on Gloria’s blog is usually so fun because you guys have really jumped in with both feet to what God has allowed you to do & it’s so cool to follow.
For now, I’m so sorry that you are going through this tough struggle but I’m praying for you loads and loads. I know amazing things will come from this because our Father is just that amazing.
Sending love & Prayers,
Kate
“Romans 5:3-5 (Darby Translation)
3And not only [that], but we also boast in tribulations, knowing that tribulation works endurance;
4and endurance, experience; and experience, hope;
5and hope does not make ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by [the] Holy Spirit which has been given to us:”
Dave,
I am so glad God gave you this opportunity to share your faith with the doctors and that they are open to hear about it and ask for a letter from you. If anything, God has allowed you to experience this so that you might share His love through this pain. God is good….I pray for your pain and their salvation.
Tami and Will
Dave,
You are a constant encouragement to me and so many others. Thank you for displaying the love of Christ in the midst of your pain. It is in times like this that the power of the gospel is made blindingly evident. Praise God for the good work He is doing in and through you.
Love you brother,
Philip
Dave,
I’m so sad and encouraged at the same time. Thank you for sharing all of the details with us.
Much love,
-Temple
Dave,
My heart goes out to you from so far away. I will continue to pray for an end to your physical suffering as well as to the emotional suffering you and your family are going through with this. I too have had some physical ailments of late that cannot be solved by surgery, but only through time and with God’s healing power. I was forced to realize something this week though that may or may not aid in your peace. Because of my pain, our church family grew stronger and did something together that may not have ever happened. We are going through a transition for the better and because of my pain, we were all brought together in prayer and through a bond that I don’t think many of them realized was there. So, I realized, and I believe God spoke this to me, that I am still in this pain even with so many out there praying for me to get better for it to dissolve, for His children to see a different aspect of life. A life for His children to be united. A life for His children to work together to bring healing. A life for His children to realize that we can ask anything of Him. He is our Father, my Daddy, and He desires for us to lean on Him no matter the situation…together. So, I pray that through your pain (while you are enduring it) that you will see what I see…that God is using it to further His kingdom and to increase understanding in His people. Because whether you know it or not, that’s what He is doing and I hope that He begins to show this to you in remarkable ways.
We love you over here.
Dionna Jo
Oh Dave and Gloria! We feel deeply for you!!!!!!!!!!! God is putting you through a severe trial and it’s so obvious that NONE OF YOUR PAIN IS WASTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How I wish it would all be all better NOW! Oh, but what glory and beauty and joy awaits you both!!! Who would have thought that this would be your main ministry, this suffering. He knows what He’s doing. You expressed yourself beautifully, Dave, in that letter. You are not denying the pain but are embracing it as God’s plan. You are an example to us, your siblings, as well as those yet to enter the Kingdom. Keep the faith, my dear brother and sister.
Dave,
Thanks for keeping us updated on this. Will continue to pray for you guys. By the way, you and Gloria need to know that I have never enjoyed reading updates as much as I have yours. Great work!
I’m proud of you guys,
Jeff
Dave & Gloria,
We are so blessed by your attitude and spirit through all of this. While we share your sadness because of the postponement of your surgery, we are prayerfully and expectantly waiting upon the Lord with you, trusting Him for healing ultimately, and for grace to endure until then.
Love,
Prem & Kathy
Greetings Dave,
Well I believe that doctors want facts and not opinions. I know that truth is facts, and the simple fact is that Christ is more than doctors and pain. Way to love on these guys and use your pain as a platform for Christ. Continue to consider it a joy as you persevere. I love your heart in it all. I hope that you can hold your kids and wife soon.
With Sincerity,
Spencer
So well written and I’m certain that it’s the desire of your hearts even though it might not always feel like that. Will pray that you will continue to be faithful as you trust Him for His perfect plan in this. He loves you guys so much … this is not more than He can handle.
I am so sorry for the deep disappointment, and so proud of you for handling it with grace and hope! Way to go on your letter to the doctors. Whoa.
I sure was “aware” of you guys this morning when we went to McConnell to pick up Calvin and say goodbye to Kevin and Lauren as they launch into their “California Adventure.” Gloria’s name is still up 0n an office wall as hall director! Right above Brady’s. I guess they have their own way of keeping shrines to Greats Who Have Passed On To Other Things.
Praying for you!!
Dear Dave and Gloria
We received your message in Los Angeles this morning and share in the disappointment that you and Gloria – and all your faithful friends – are feeling. We often say that God’s timing is perfect, but sometimes it is very hard to live in the reality of that statement when something that seemed like such a wonderful part of God’s plan suddenly disappears. We know that God is faithful to his word and that he will continue to sustain you. We’ll be praying for you and keeping in touch.
Love
Daniel and Jeanie
Dave and Glo,
I share in the dissapointment and frustration of God’s sovereignty. It’s impossible to see the big picture like He does and to accept these circumstances. I’m so greatful that God has and will continue to use this for His glory in Dubai. Praying for your hearts and the medical team, press on!
Dave and Gloria,
We are praying for you guys and are so encouraged by your letter and testimony to the doctors and all those around you. May the Lord use your words and circumstances to bring others to Him!
Love,
Jeff and Kathy Wiesner
Wow, you guys are awesome and are such an encouragement and example to me and countless others! We’re praying for you…
Dear Dave,
I read your email, I can feel your pain and sadness, Thanks for your faith and trust on the Lord, I am praying for you regularly and trusting God for your health
Your fellow servant
Nabeeh Abbassi
Dave and Gloria,
I am so thankful to have been in contact with you via emails and Gloria’s phone call while out of town, but I am still so, so sad for you and this circumstance turning out the way it did. I just now was able to sit down to catch up on all the posts and when I saw how many comments you had on this one, a lump formed in my throat. And now I type through tears as I read each note to you. The love that surrounds you in the body of Christ must be a healing balm to your soul.
I cannot imagine what living with chronic physical pain is like. But my heart just hurts for you as I grieve the loss of so much that life had to offer you, but was taken away by this disability. I wish my tears and heartache could fix it, but it can’t. I cry out to God now to perform a miracle and SOON so your girls will never know what life was like before their daddy could pick them up and swing them around.
I pray for you. I love you both so very much. I hope for you…and with you I wait.
Dear Pastor Dave,
My heart is trully humbled by the trust that you have in our Lord Jesus… with teary eyes I can only praise HIM for making HIS name great in your suffering!!!
With much prayers and love,
Melvin
Ptr. Dave,
Despite & inspite of your undergoing ‘pains’ you’ve inspired us to be strong and encourage us to faithfully trust our sovereign God’s plan for us. Indeed, His time is perfect in meeting you, your family and the Redeemer Church of Dubai!
I personally would like to thank you for your time, compassion and prayer for my husband…
We will keep on praying for you.
In Him we trust,
Melvin’s wife
Thanks for posting this Dave. I am SO THANKFUL for you and your family. You are right…Jesus+Nothing=Everything. I am still praying that something amazing happens and you get the healing you desire in your arms. Love you guys.