Overwhelming Gratitude

We've all been there--a month's paycheck that comes to an end long before the month does, the car that breaks down at the worst possible time--usually the same time that the fridge AND stove go on the blitz. But, how many of us know the anxiety that comes from our loved one needing health care that just is not offered by the public health system; yet knowing that we have no means to pay for private health care? Such has been the case for two of our precious families here in Lazaro Cardenas. Carmilita and her daughter, Lulu, were two of the first Christians in La Comunidad de Cristo. Husband/Father, Eliseo, had been diagnosed with Cancer many months ago. The doctors said his body was full of cancer, and was sent home to die. The family has been managing his care from home--a difficult situation, for sure. In desperation, they recently took Eliseo to a private doctor in Cuernavaca (near Mexico City). After a few tests, the doctor declared that Eliseo was not full of cancer, but that his cancerous prostate was in immediate need of removal. Sunday evening the operation was declared a complete success. The family attributes the good news to God's love and mercy. They were preparing for a funeral, now they look forward to a "welcome home" celebration for Eliseo.

Little Alex had a difficult time breathing. He contacted a cold, which suddenly turned deathly. He could not breath. He began turning purple. Deysy and Alejandro rushed Alex to the medical clinic. Tests began to point to a serious illness--Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, a heart condition??? Alex's parents drove the three hour trek to Morelia for more tests. The medical bills began to pile up. Although Alejando is a hard worker, his salary was not a match to the mounting medical costs. Deysy began taking Alex to Morelia by bus so that Alejandro could stay home and work. More tests point to severe Asthma and a heart condition that does not allow for sufficient oxygen to get into his bloodstream. Thankfully, Alex is responding well to the treatment. Still, they came to a point where there was no food in the house; they had spent the last of their money on Alex's medicine. Where does a parent look for help for their little one? From where will the food come where there is not a peso left to spend?

Acts Chapter 2 tells us how the first century believers took care of each other and gave to anyone as he had need. As our team gathered for our weekly Wednesday morning prayer, we shared our concern for these two families. As we prayed, the thought came to me, "There are people that we know who would LOVE to help these families if they knew of the need." Later, I sat at my trusty computer and typed an urgent need letter. Within five minutes of sending the request, my mailbox showed a response--"Thank you for letting us know of this need. We will be sending money for these families' medical costs." Within another two minutes there was a second response. By the next day, God had used his family to raise $4450!!!! How do you express in words the overwhelming emotions I experienced as I witnessed e-mail after e-mail of God's family caring for one another? I am humbled. I am amazed. I am blessed to be a part of such love. We have been praying for wisdom in sharing the love gift with these families. Because of the overwhelming generosity, we will be able to help meet the needs of these two families. Remaining funds, if any, will be put aside for future benevolent needs.

The families are more than grateful. Deysy, after praying for God's provision for her family, clung to me as if she would never let me go. Unable to speak for a very long time, she finally uttered, "Please tell your friends how much they have helped us, even though they don't even know us."

Deysy, Mauricio, and little Alex




Carmalita and her daughter came to Sunday Celebration selling tickets to help raise money for the cost of Eliseo's operation. (We still don't know what the tickets were for...or what they were selling.) What an admirable thing. They have exhausted all their resources, yet they continue to be inventive in thinking of ways to cover the medical costs. When Carmalita was told that the medical costs would be covered by brothers and sisters in the US and Canada, she had the look of: "surely I didn't just hear what I thought I heard". It took her a full minute before she processed the information. The relief and gratitude was visible. What a burden has been lifted from her shoulders.
Carmalita hears the good news of her love gift.

I wish you all could have been with us as we shared the news of the gifts to these two families. We are so very blessed to be a part of their lives. Thank you for your prayers and financial assistance. We would not be here without many generous hearts and the prayer warriors that daily bring us before THE Throne. Thank you for loving us and the people we love here in Mexico!!!

Until next blog,
Bernard, Alicia and Logan Krogsgaard