CHICAGO, IL (August 28, 2007) \u2013 Marti Burger hopes to resume her duties as director of youth and family ministries in the Department of Christian Formation in early September, following a lengthy struggle with pancreatitis.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am feeling much better,\u201d Burger reports, noting she hopes to get the \u201call clear\u201d signal from her physician next week that will allow her to return to work.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrayer has made a huge difference,\u201d Burger says, expressing appreciation for the hundreds of people around the country who have been interceding on her behalf. \u201cWe have also been reminded of the importance of our Covenant family,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cGod has taught me so much during this time,\u201d Burger observes, \u201cespecially how God uses people along the way, including our Covenant family.\u201d 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. \u201cI 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 \u2013 that\u2019s the kingdom of God at work.\u201d<\/p>\n
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. \u201cHe\u2019s the one who kept saying, \u2018It\u2019s God, it\u2019s God.\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n
Compounding the situation was the loss of power at the Burger home during last week\u2019s storm \u2013 electrical power was not restored until Monday (yesterday).<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m doing marvelous,\u201d she says, noting that the recovery continues to be a slow process as the pancreas heals. \u201cI\u2019m doing great and I\u2019m eager to get back to work.\u201d<\/p>\n