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Would you like to help Joan get to India for life-changing surgery?

  • Joan's Surgery has been Successfully Completed!

      14 November 2025
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    Dear friends and supporters,

    I am excited to be able to report that Mum's spinal surgery in India has been completed successfully and she is now at home, recovering in Auckland! We are so thankful that this trip was made possible because of the grace of God and the generosity of you and so many others. The funds raised through this page almost completely covered the airfares for Mum and I to get to and from Mumbai!

    Mum had the five hour surgery under Dr Mazda Turel on Wednesday 29 October, as planned, and only 24 hours later, she was on her feet, walking around her room with the help of a physiotherapist. After recovering and rehabilitating for 11 days, she boarded the plane to return to New Zealand and is now walking (albeit slowly!) to the local shops and taking care of all her own needs in her apartment.

    Although we understand that full recovery of the nerves will take 4-6 weeks, Mum is now able to sit and lie down with minimal discomfort, which is an amazing change for her. She looks forward to returning to the swimming pool in less than a week, having now had the stitches removed.

    This has become an amazing, far-reaching story of God's goodness, and the power of the love of a community.

    Thank you for being a part of this life-changing journey for Mum. You have been such a blessing!

    With love, from Anneke, Joan and family

    (Check out the photo of Mum on the treadmill on Day 10 post-op! She is radiating peace and joy!)

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  • Counting down!

      22 October 2025

    It's only three more days until mum and I board the plane for India, and one week until mum has her surgery, God willing!

    We have made all the necessary arrangements and are checking our packing lists to make sure we don't leave anything behind - some good books, code-cracker puzzles, knitting, and a board game or two should help us pass the time while mum recovers after the surgery before she is all cleared to fly home.

    Mum is absolutely over-whelmed by the support she has received through this page and in the letters of encouragement from everyone. As she said tearfully to our church family on Sunday: "I didn't know I had so many friends!"

    Your generous donations have gone towards flights so far, and although there are still many costs, the Lord has provided mightily so far and we are able to go knowing that whatever else is raised, it will add to any donations from family members to allow us to cover the costs.

    It is so humbling and comforting to know we go with the support of so many! Please keep us in your prayers as we make our final preparations and make the journey on Saturday. It's a 17 hour flight and could be a challenge for someone who finds it extremely difficult to sit for longer than 30 minutes at a time, but we know the Lord is with us and He will hold us in His righteous right hand!

    Thank you again for all your support and love. I hope to update you in the coming week.

    Blessings, from Anneke

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  • Joan's Surgery Date is Set!

      2 October 2025

    Dear friends and family,

    We thank you all so much for your generous, and often sacrificial, giving. Mum is blown away by the love that has been poured out to her through this page.

    Things are moving along well for her plans to get to India. She now has a date set for the surgery - October 29!

    After much prayer and seeking the Lord, we believe it is His will for me (Anneke) to travel with mum as her companion and nurse. We are trusting in the Lord to provide for all of our needs and our safety, as well as the needs of those left back at home. We plan to travel on the weekend of October 25 and hope to be able to return home within 14 days.

    May the Lord bless you for what you have done to help mum receive the help she needs!

    Kindest regards, Anneke

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