Dear Friends and Supporters

Christ is Risen. Peace be with you.

I pray that you are well,  as you know I am now on a brief stay in the USA for treatment on my vocal chords. The doctor here – Prof. Steven Zeitels – a pioneering and leading figure in the area of vocal cord surgery is very pleased with the results of the first treatment I had in December 2012. Indeed the improvement in the quality of voice has even surpassed his own expert expectations. By the grace of God he achieved a masterful result.

Louis, remember you used to make fun of me because of my raspy and husky voice? Well brother, you will have to find something else to make fun of, because its now sounding normal and even with a tinge of bass. I am now reaching “Barry White” voice status (heh he he!!! lol, see Louis, your twitter & facebook training is taking hold).

Glory be to God for this amazing turnaround and I thank Him!

Today I went in for my second treatment on my vocal cords. This one was not as elaborate but was meant to complete any unfinished tasks. My mouth is not feeling so sore, and I am allowed to whisper in the first week and I will be allowed to talk next week but not too loud. From then on it will be business as usual, with an even stronger voice.

I thank God Almighty for the return of my voice – stronger than ever! I am really relieved about this issue – even though it has meant some temporary disruptions in my work in SL. However from a long term perspective the mission field demands a strong and healthy voice.

I have already stated in an earlier blog, that this particular surgeon, Professor Steven Zeitels has given voices back to many people including high profile celebrities such as Julie Andrews, Roger Daltry (The Who), lead singer of Arrowsmith (Tyler) and recently after the British singer Adele lost her voice completely, he was not only able to restore it, but to even give her the oppurtunity of wining 6 grammy awards for her recordings. He was invited to the Grammy presentations in Los Angeles and acknowledged on national US Television by her on the award day (40 + million viewers).

So God led me, to the right person and hence I am now able to resume my liturgical, chanting, preching, teaching and missionary duties without concern and self-consciousness – especially now that we are about to open new ground in Liberia and The Gambia.

I urge anyone in Australia, Greece or in the USA (and especially priests, pastors, teachers, chanters and singers) who has suffered difficulties with voice issues (this is unfortunately not uncommon with Orthodox Priests – some have lost their voices almost completely) if possible to have their vocal cords checked by a voice specialist and as necessary contact Prof. Zeitels’ centre ( mghvoicenter@mgh.harvard.edu ) by a brief email. I would suggest that Prof. Zeitels is by God’s grace a very gifted surgeon in this area of medicine and if something can be done he may be able to help – if possible.

I am hoping I could persuade him or members of his team to visit West Africa where they may be able to give back voices to children and other voice impaired people. I beleive there is only one ENT specialist in Sierra Leone.

Furthermore, I need to also thank many others who are hosting me here and helping me get around the NE part of the USA (from New Jersey to Massachusetts). I will do so in my next report, including the wonderful news of the establishment of Paradise 4 Kids (USA) which will undertake to assist our Holy Diocese of Sierra Leone.

Regards and thanks to all

XPISTOS ANESTH

Everyone from PK4A are very pleased with the excellent results for Rev Themi, and acknowledge that no monies for the procedures were funded from donations. Those of us who know Rev Them understand his strong accountability and his commitment to charity work over his personal needs. But if you feel led to help him, he asks you to consider making a donation or joining Ezi Donate to help continue his work with the poor.