Thursday, November 14, 2013

Josh has Dengue Fever

November 14, 2013

Hello everyone,

I don't know if all of you have heard yet that Josh is in the hospital with his second case of Dengue fever. We didn't know he had it in September because he didn't tell us. But because it's worse each time you get it, this time he and his companion (who also has it) had to be hospitalized and they were just transferred a few days ago to San Salvador to the best hospital in the country because Josh's platelet levels dropped quite a bit. He has to have IVs to replace the fluid levels in his body as well as drink 6 liters of water a day. It seems he wasn't drinking enough because he didn't like the taste of the water, but they've convinced him that he won't recover very fast unless he drinks lots.  We talked to him Monday night on the phone for awhile and he sounds good.  His Spanish is great!  He's sad because he was going to be a trainer and because he loves his mission and doesn't want to have to leave. But because of the risk of dangerous complications (internal bleeding) if he gets Dengue a third time, it looks like he will have to be reassigned to a mission where Dengue isn't a problem.  Both he and his companion will have to be moved.  But that is better than having to go home as one of the sister missionaries in his district had to do and who is still in the hospital. Even though he's very sad about it, he has a very good attitude and trusts the Lord.

His president wrote us with an update on his health a couple of days ago and sent a picture which I put up on Facebook. He told us Josh is an excellent missionary, very hard-working and obedient, always willing to do whatever he is asked and that he has a great heart.  He will do well wherever he goes, but hopefully he continues to be able to work among the very poor who he has come to love so much because he can feel the Lord's great love for them.

Please continue to pray for him and for his companion, Elder Oliva.  I know he feels those prayers.  We will let you know what happens.  Hopefully he is able to e-mail from the hospital tomorrow, but if he can't, you will know why.

Thank you so much for your love and support for Josh.  Our family really appreciates it!

Anette Dennis 

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