December – January 2026

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Greetings all…..Just an update from us and also an update on Bella.

Back story…

Earlier, some of our Wana friends had to call an emergency flight to come and get their young 9 year old daughter, Bella, who had fallen over having lost feeling on one side, and fly her out to a hospital at the provincial capital. We are so grateful that the plane was ready to go and could make this flight. Bella is currently in the hospital having tests run. So far she has had a pediatrician and neurologist examine her. The preliminary thought from the doctors is she has something going on in her brain and also her heart – Not sure if the two are connected or not. These doctors have recommended that they have a heart specialist see her as well, which is telling me they are hearing that something is not right with her heart. When we received this news my heart really went out to Bella and her family, as I know it is really heavy for them to see their little girl in this condition. I just talked with Bella’s dad and mom a little while ago as they were at Bella’s bedside, and was also able to have prayer with them. I told them I would send Bella’s picture out to our prayer team so you all could be praying for her too – this means a lot to them. Thanks so much for having a part in their lives through your prayers for little Bella.

Just want to thank each of you who have been praying for “Bella”. I just now finished a video call with them so wanted to give you a little more of an update. Bella was visibly better this evening (morning their time). Her left side was affected but she is starting to regain some feeling now and her mouth has straightened out too. She was moving around on the bed and even smiling at times so that was good to see. Oh, and she is eating well too! Her mom was busy exercising her left leg trying her best to help her recover. I asked Bella’s dad for more explanation. The doctor is telling them that Bella has Typhoid Fever. When she arrived at the hospital she was hot with fever and an irregular heartbeat, along with the paralysis on the left side. The doctor is treating her for this first and then if there are still complications they will take it from there. If you google “Typhoid Fever” you will see that it can affect both the brain and the heart and also give stroke like symptoms. Praise the Lord they could get her to the hospital when they did and can get treatment. I asked him how her heartbeat was and he said the doctor was in early this morning and said the heart rhythm is much improved. My prayer is that they can get the Typhoid under control, and that once the Typhoid is under control these other symptoms will go away. Bella’s dad expressed a sincere appreciation for all our prayers for them. All for this time.

We have had several folks ask about Bella so wanted to write and give an update this morning. I had a video call with her dad last evening and it was encouraging to hear that she continues to gain feeling in her arms and legs. She is now able to clench her fist and has better movement in her leg and foot as well, however, still unable to walk. They had a follow-up appointment with the doctor on Monday (Sunday night our time) so I asked her dad if he could text me and let me know what the doctor had to say. I received his text this morning and the doctor said that she had stabilized, however he is still hearing something going on with her heart so wants to get an ultrasound done of her heart – that will happen on Tuesday. We are very encouraged with the progress she has made, at the same time realizing she isn’t out of the woods yet, and praying that the Lord will give wisdom to the doctor as to how to proceed. Thanks to all of you who are praying.

First of all, Bella is still in the hospital having been diagnosed with DPA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus) of the heart. From what I understand it is a small blood vessel in the heart which is supposed to close off right after birth, but with some it doesn’t close or doesn’t close all the way. The cardiologist said hers is not large and he is hoping to treat it with medication, but they have kept her in the hospital to monitor her heart and her progress. Not being able to talk with the doctor, I do not know all the details, but can imagine this condition was exacerbated with the Typhoid Fever. She does have some movement in her left arm and leg so they are hoping that with therapy they can give help with that as well. So we just keep praying.

Also just to let you know that Geoff and I plan to depart for Asia Pacific on March 10, so just under 2 months. We will appreciate your prayers for us and also for the finances it will entail – We are still needing to trust the Lord for about $4000.00. Our plans for this trip will be to spend some extended time in Wana. We presently have a number of church challenges that need addressed so want to spend as much time as we can with the church leadership and help them work through some of these challenges they are facing. We also have a church wide Bible Conference scheduled for March 27-29 and will continue our “inductive Bible study” of the book of Joshua – which they have really enjoyed. And if we can we also want to squeeze in some team meetings with some of our other missionary teams serving on the island – so there will be no lack of things to keep us busy. Thanks so much for praying and being a part of our team.

New update on Bella: January 23, 2026: The latest news on Bella is she is now out of the hospital and at the church’s guest house there in town. It appears they will be able to treat her heart condition (Anterior Posterior Ductus) with medication and not have to do surgery. They are now focusing on therapy to get her left side working again. Having friends from all over the world praying for them has been a super encouragement. Bella’s mom and her are getting in some walking practice!

God Bless,

Ed & Jeanne Casteel