Some Background Info

(Exerpt taken from an email drafted by our dad, Chris Spengler)

Nikki was diagnosed with adult onset Still's disease (a form of Rheumatoid Arthritis) in June 2008. She has been very positive in her faith and outlook and in spite of not seeing a great improvement in her condition since onset, remains convinced that she will one day be healed of this condition.

We have stood by her in prayer and practical support wherever we have been able. Some of you have encouraged us HUGELY in the Lord and I have promised Nikki that I will never give up praying and believing for her for a complete and miraculous healing. Many scriptures have become engraved on our hearts during this time as we have taken up the battle in the Spirit. We have been greatly encouraged by the truth of the Word and have decided that in all circumstances and in all situations, the Word of God (the bible) takes pre-eminence over every statement, report, confession, diagnosis or prognosis from the medical doctors with whom she consults.

Nikki has for some time felt that there must be an underlying cause or root of this affliction. After doing quite a lot of reasearch on her own initiative she came across a possible link between dental root canal treatment and Still's. Her doctors pooh...pooh'ed this thought, not even being prepared to read the articles she had so carefully researched. Having had a problem root canal tooth however, she decided that it may help to have this tooth extracted, which she did. A case of nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Just recently we received some very shocking new on Nikki's health. After repeatedly asking her doctors to check her sore breast, she took herself to her Gynae for a check up and after a lot of MRI's, blood tests and a biopsy they diagnosed breast cancer, not as a lump or tumor, but in the breast tissue. They now suspect that this is what started the Still's Disease in the first place nearly 18 months ago. In the last week, Nikki has undergone numerous blood tests, bone scans, MRI's and ultrasounds in order to determine the extent of the disease. She received the results of the tests today which confirmed that the cancer is not limited to the breast tissue but is, in fact, fairly widespread.

Naturally the whole family are gutted at the news, as we feel that she has gone through enough already. But then one has to be strong and exercise faith in these times.

Louise, Eve, Nikki, Adrian, Peter and I are all standing on God's promises for a complete and miraculous healing. We ask you to agree with us as you take her to the Lord in prayer. Not to mention that she has this sickness, but to pray as we have been taught to pray...the truth of God's Word (the bible). I have never before repeated the scripture in Jeremiah so many times, "I know the plans I have for you, saith the Lord, plans for a hope and a future, plans to prosper you..."and also thank Him continually that "by His stripes we have been healed". There are so many scriptures to support the fact that our God is a good God and that he has our best interests at heart.

Nikki has had some revelational insight into her situation, likening it to a David and Goliath battle. Her daughter Hannah (5) brought this illustration to her when they tried to explain the situation to the children. "So it is like David and Goliath mommy, we are David and we will pray and the c..... is Goliath and it will die because we prayed." Jesus Himself told us to have faith such as these little children. Our armour is prayer and intercession and our enemy is satan...also..."they overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony." Please pray the blood of Jesus over Nikki with us.

We are beleiving for a complete healing that will bring God the glory. Will you please stand with us in this?

Please also pray for strength for all of the family at this time. We so appreciate your prayers. God Bless.