“I am feeling much better,” Burger reports, noting she hopes to get the “all clear” signal from her physician next week that will allow her to return to work.
Burger became ill one week after her return from a two-week mission trip to Ecuador in early July, where her church group had been working in jungle areas. Three of four specialists believe there is a connection between medication Burger had taken to prevent malaria and the inflammation of her pancreas. One of the rare, but potential side effects of that medication involves the pancreas.
“Prayer has made a huge difference,” Burger says, expressing appreciation for the hundreds of people around the country who have been interceding on her behalf. “We have also been reminded of the importance of our Covenant family,” Burger adds, noting the important role that three Covenanters in particular have played in her medical care, including Dr. G. Timothy Johnson, ABC medical editor; Dr. Lee Richman, a former member of the Evangelical Covenant Church Executive Board; and Dr. Lightfoot of Northwest Covenant Church in Mount Prospect, Illinois.
“God has taught me so much during this time,” Burger observes, “especially how God uses people along the way, including our Covenant family.” She says the experience has also given her time to reflect on the importance of trusting God for everything, as well as thinking about the work she has been called to do. “I found myself asking, Why do I do what I do? Why is it important? And I also was reminded that I cannot do this work alone, apart from the church family – that’s the kingdom of God at work.”
The importance of trusting in God is something she says she encountered at every step, including one of the medical specialists who told her that the only way her pancreas could heal was through the power of God. “He’s the one who kept saying, ‘It’s God, it’s God.’ ”
Compounding the situation was the loss of power at the Burger home during last week’s storm – electrical power was not restored until Monday (yesterday).
“I’m doing marvelous,” she says, noting that the recovery continues to be a slow process as the pancreas heals. “I’m doing great and I’m eager to get back to work.”
