On August 16th, our friend John was rushed to the ICU in temporary heart failure. What was first thought to be a tick-borne infection turned out to be endocarditis (a serious heart infection), along with a blocked heart valve, kidney failure, and pneumonia. He spent 17 days in the hospital, undergoing the first of two life-saving heart surgeries. By God’s grace, he began to improve and was sent home to recover.

Just four days later, on September 6th, John was taken back to the hospital by ambulance. His lungs had filled with fluid, and the pneumonia had turned into a staph infection. He underwent emergency surgery and received blood transfusions. After more time in the hospital, he returned home on IV antibiotics.

Only a day after celebrating his 32nd birthday, John was hospitalized again on September 18th—now also battling pericarditis, another serious heart infection. He is back on oxygen, in severe pain, and still undergoing testing. Doctors still running various tests and are monitoring the infection closely. One concern is that the infection may have spread to his spine. Furthermore, pressure is continuing to build in his heart; making the need for the second heart surgery (an open-heart valve replacement) more urgent. The longer John’s heart is compromised, the longer his health remains in a vulnerable state. However, rushing the surgery leaves John susceptible to developing infection on the new valve. It’s a delicate situation between risk and urgency.

John is a devoted husband, loving father to two young boys (with another baby on the way), a hardworking Angus cattle farmer, and a faithful servant of God. Through unimaginable trials, John and his wife Mattea’s faith has remained unshaken. With John unable to work and Mattea caring for him, their children, and the farm, the financial strain is overwhelming.

Any support—big or small, donations, or simply sharing—means the world to this strong, faithful family. Thank you for lifting them up in this incredibly difficult season.