Medical Mercy for Families in Leadership

Most of the time when we talk about Medical Mercy projects with Sowers4Pastors, they involve children from the sponsorship programs or feeding centers. Occasionally, this involves a family member of one of the children. Today, we’re talking about three examples of how the medical mercy branch of the ministry is involved with helping leaders in the programs. 

Katherine with therapist

Pastor Marvin leads the sponsorship program in Arenales (sister church of Life Community Church). Pastor Marvin’s six-year-old daughter, Katherine, has been diagnosed as severely autistic. She is unable to communicate or take care of herself in the simplest of ways. Allen described the child as being “terrified of life.” She doesn’t understand what is going on around her, which causes her to be in a perpetual state of panic. Because of her constant agitation, caring for her requires a 100% time commitment, making it almost impossible for a caretaker to do other tasks in addition to watching over her. 

Where does the medical mercy part come in? Working with Life Community Church, S4P wants to do what they can to help Katherine, which in turn will be helpful to the family. One aspect is providing the medicines prescribed to help ease her anxiety. Alexandro and Cesia (S4P staff) found a special needs therapist to work with Katherine. The therapy visits will require a 3 - 4 hour bus trip each way. The prayer is that therapy can help her better understand her surroundings and be calmer. Please pray for Pastor Marvin's family.

Alejandro and Cesia, taking Katherine and her mom 
to the first therapy session

Pastor Lorenzo lives in Guacutao, and oversees the sister church with Edgewater Alliance Church. Shortly before the start of COVID lockdowns, Pastor Lorenzo’s grandson, Isais, was born. The child was born without an anus. In the States, that would involve a series of surgical procedures shortly after the birth to repair the birth defect. Pastor Lorenzo’s grandson immediately had a colostomy surgery, to keep him alive, but COVID restrictions meant that additional surgeries needed to actually correct the problem were delayed. Additionally complicating the situation is the distance to the missionary hospital where the surgeries are being done, an eight-hour drive from their home. Private transportation must be arranged for the ride home because a post-op bumpy bus ride is out of the question. Members of Edgewater Alliance are helping with funds for this project.

The third project involved Profesor Celio of the Escuela Lemanal (part of the Crucitas program with Lighthouse Church). The Profesor had a motorcycle accident, and his ankle was badly broken. There was talk about putting in a metal plate to physically reconnect the bones. Surgery was delayed until the plate needed could be located. In the end, Profesor Celio decided to not have that surgery. He is currently recuperating, and S4P and Lighthouse will continue to partner in helping with medical expenses. There is some concern that he chose a less-than-ideal path to avoid having the more complicated surgery. He is hopeful that he will be up and about fully in six months. Time will tell, and prayers are certainly appreciated!

Allen and Trish stressed that it is a blessing to them, when Sowers4Pastors is able to be of assistance with these kinds of needs. They wish to thank the supporters who provide funds to make such assistance possible. Please pray for each of these situations. For Pastor Lorenzo’s grandson, there is an expected resolution before too long. Profesor Celio may require more assistance down the road if the ankle doesn’t heal properly. In the case of Pastor Marvin’s family, the situation will likely continue for many years into the future. 

 - posted by Christi