In Sickness and In Health

Bralio's family (daughter Brenda in red and black)



Mari Rosa's family

Buenas dias todo!
So, it is now week 4 of my year in the Dominican Republic (wow, time flies) and its time for another update. This weekend I had the pleasure of meeting two families in the community that are in need of prayer. The first was Bralio's family. Bralio is a very hard working builder who has six children. He and his wife Reina and four of the children (Brownie, Brandy, Brenda and Stephanie) are pictured above. When I met Bralio on Saturday, he was hard at work on an addition to his house. Covered in concrete dust, Bralio met me with a big beaming smile and introduced me to his beautiful family. His daughter Brenda has major heart problems and is need of a very intensive surgery. I asked how she was feeling and was told that she is very strong. She too has a gorgeous smile like her father! Please pray for Brenda's heart and for the funds and doctors for a surgery.

The second family is the family of Mari Rosa. Mari Rosa works for the women's cooperative on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She is currently battling stage 3 or 4 breast cancer and the prognosis is not very good. Mari Rosa is mostly worried about her family and what will happen to them if she does not make it through the next year. Mari Rosa has already had cancer once and it is now back. She is badly in need of chemotherapy, but the expenses are overwhelming for her family. Please pray for Mari Rosa and her family, for healing, strength and funds for treatment.

Sometimes life can be overwhelming. For those living on just over $5 a day it can be a struggle to survive each and every day. To care for your children, to feed them, clothe them and give them basic necessities. When sickness hits, it knocks the breath out of you. You are already fighting so hard to keep above the flood, it seems impossible to keep going. These families will incur mounting debts that they may never pay off if they try to get treatment for their loved ones. But what is the alternative?

Every day I am reminded of something for which to be thankful. Even if life doesn't go as planned, even if not everything is rosy, I have my health. There is always something to be thankful for, something to live for, something to give you joy. Look for the joy in your life and remember God is there through the sickness and the pain.

Blessings,
Anna