Mission Emanuel

One of the great things about this long term relational ministry is that you get to be a part of their lives – the good and the bad . . . “ the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” This relational call is for us to stand by them no matter what, and they stand by us.

I remember when Juliana had her terrible accident. Everybody in the community, the church, the staff, and even the hotel where I stay asked often how I was and how Juliana was doing. Literally hundreds of people reminded me (and still remind me) that they’re praying for her and want the latest report. You have no idea how this touched me to my soul. What a gift! But it has been a reciprocal gift that we’ve given each other. I’ve been there through births and deaths, marriages and helping single moms cope with a deserting husband and no money. I’ve been there for infant dedications, baptisms, and praying with people as they enter the Kingdom spiritually and sometimes physically. We’ve built over 40 houses for them and a house of worship to grow in Christ. We provide pure water physically and spiritually. I love this ministry that God has called us to. What a privilege!

Now, two of our closest, long-term families are facing huge challenges that I feel God wants to respond to. For years we have had a special fund called The John 3:16 Fund that one of our supporters set up. It is for emergency food or drugs up to $100. Over that amount, we have had to request the larger amount of money from others. This is often a difficult and time-consuming task.

Because of these two great needs, I have set up a separate fund for larger, special medical needs called the “Healing from Heaven” Fund or in Spanish, “Sanidad Del Cielo.” We hope you would prayerfully consider helping us minister to these two special families.

Most of our short-term missionaries have contact with one or both of families.

First is Tony and Rosa and their family of five children. We built their home nine years ago. Their children go to our school and Rosa is part of our Women’s Co-op. The family is part of our Cielo Church. Tony works hard at his job as a motorcycle taxi service, but does not earn enough to feed his family. Rosa has Stage 3 breast cancer and now requires chemo and radiation and is facing a probable double mastectomy. I was part of a group recently that sat with her, talked with her, and laid hands on her praying for her healing.

Tears flowed as her biggest concern was her family. “Who will take care of them?” she wonders. She is the family glue that holds everything together and it is a huge challenge.

Second is Braulio and Reyna and their family of four children. Braulio has served on our staff and is a close friend to all our staff and many, many more friends from
the US. He has had a brain aneurysm and has occasional seizures. Because of this, he can’t work and his medicine (which we provide) is expensive. Food is scarce, even with Reyna trying to work part-time. Their youngest daughter, Brenda (8 years old) has some major heart problems and faces surgery in a few weeks. Some of our staff are giving blood but more is needed. The cost of the surgery is significant by DR standards – at least several thousand dollars. (Brenda is the little girl with the beautiful smile wearing red & black.)

I believe God has called us to step up and stand with these two families. First, please pray for them, by name, especially Brenda and Rosa as they both face major surgery. Second, please consider a special gift to help us help them with these huge medical bills. I know this is a tough time for a lot of people, as it is for us at Mission Emanuel. But God always provides! We have promised to stand with these families.

WILL YOU STAND WITH US?