February 26, 2011

Dear Pastors and friends.

"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." (James 1:3)

I pray that this note reaches you in good health and enjoying the Lord's blessings. We want to thank you for your prayers and faithful support during these hard times.

Rebecca and I reached a hard decision last week about her state of health and my fathers condition. As most of you know Rebecca was bitten by the dengue mosquito again, this is the third time. This has become a serious condition for her. I have included a small description of dengue at the bottom of the letter for your information. We have decided to return to the USA to do some extensive testing on the condition of her heart. We have 3 months of dengue (rainy season) before the dry season, and during that time the chances of being bitten by the mosquito is lower. At this time, dengue is an epidemic and there are thousands suffering with the virus. The local news paper said that we have 400% more dengue this year than last year. Rebecca cannot afford to contract dengue again! I will keep everyone informed as time passes.

My father suffered a heart attack last week and is in the hospital in Fort Worth, Texas and we are going to help mom with him also during this time. My two sisters that live in the USA live too far away, and until he is released from the hospital and gets his therapy, he cannot be moved too far. We are praying this will not take long. As soon as he can travel we will be moving him close to one of my sisters for care.

These circumstances could not have come at a worse time. I am in the middle of building at the Campos Sales Church, institute begins on the 14th of March and youth camp is next week. I was scheduled to teach 12 weeks at the Bible institute and am currently its director. This adds a new level of work to the fellows that are here. Pray for them as they continue the work. Pray for the Church at Campos Sales and the leaders also. Rebecca and I are just sick about all this.

Lord bless you all.

His for Brasil
John Hawkins Jr.

Dengue fever also known as breakbone fever, is an acute febrile infectious disease caused by the dengue virus. Typical symptoms include headache, a characteristic skin rash, and muscle and joint pains; in a small proportion the disease progresses to life-threatening complications such as dengue hemorrhagic fever (which may lead to severe hemorrhage) and dengue shock syndrome (where a very low blood pressure can cause organ dysfunction).

Dengue is usually transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti, and rarely Aedes albopictus. The virus exists in four different types, and an infection with one type usually gives lifelong immunity to that type, but only short-term immunity to the others. There is currently no available vaccine, but measures to reduce the habitat and the number of mosquitoes, and limiting exposure to bites, are used to decrease the incidence of dengue.

Treatment of acute dengue is supportive, using either oral or intravenous rehydration for mild or moderate disease, and intravenous fluids and blood transfusions for more severe cases. The rate of infection has increased dramatically over the last 50 years, with around 50–100 million people being infected yearly. A global disease, dengue is currently endemic in more than 110 countries. Early descriptions of the condition date from 1779, and its viral cause and the transmission were elucidated in the early 20th century. Dengue has become a worldwide problem since the Second World War.