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Charles and Barbara Dederick, our dad and mom, have dedicated their entire life to serving others. Maybe we are a little biased, but their life is a small picture of everything that seems right with this world. The have been married for over 50 years, raised 5 children and dedicated their entire life to serving others. Charles has pastored churches with Barbara faithfully supporting his ministry and standing by his side. They have spent decades serving in rescue missions, and helping the homeless, feeding the needy, and sacrificing the "American Dream", so that they can help those in need. I truly don't believe you with find more selfless people then our mom and dad. 
Barbara would run the thrift stores and some times spend days on end trying to keep up with the workload. She would work in the stores by day, sometimes go down and cook and serve in the evenings and then back up to the warehouse to sort through the night. Our mother has always been a source of strength to us, always persevering through the toughest of times.
That being said, the last few weeks have been some of the hardest for us. For a while now Barb has been complaining of a pain in her stomach and the doctors could not put their hand on what was wrong. A few weeks ago she went back to the hospital and she was transported to a larger hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. There, we got the news that we never wanted to hear. Cancer was found in Barb's colon. In the end it was found to be stage 3 and they had to remove 3/4's of her colon. Over the last few weeks they have continued the tests and have found that she also has cancer in her lymph nodes as well as having a orange sized mass on her kidney.
The good news is the doctors have said that the main concern was taken care of with her colon. They were able to catch it before it burst and they believe at this time the rest will be treatable. Still, they can't do anything until she heals from this surgery. When she is strong enough they will decide how to move forward with treatment for the remaining cancer and whatever else they may find. During this time she has remained in the hospital, fought off infection, battled the flu and pneumonia, and has had some close calls. This has been hard for all of us who know how strong this woman is, having such a battle to face.
That brings us to our plea to you. Mom and dad have given their lives, sacrificed so much to serve and help those around them. They have truly been a picture of Christ's example to serve "the least of these". Right now, they need your help. Giving their life to ministry they have no regrets. Still, the ministry is not where you will strike it rich, let alone, build up a safety nest for the future. They have had to make it on very little over the years, and now they find themselves on a fixed and very tight budget, and definitely not prepared for what is coming their way.
We are asking as their children, knowing how many people our mom has touched, if you would be willing to give to help them in this, their greatest time of need. With the medical expenses that are already building up, there are so many more needs they are facing. From simple daily things like gas for Charles to get up there to be with mom on a regular basis. Barb will be spending a few weeks in a nursing facility until she can get back on her feet and then once she has recovered there will be cancer treatments and most likely more surgeries to come. Along with this, they are needing to change their living arrangements so they can be close to family for the help they will need in the future. Simply put, there is no way they can do this on their own.
The good news is we all know this, God already has this in control. We trust Him that He is going to provide and care for His own, just as they have been faithful to him over the years. So we are asking you, will you please allow God to use you to help them during this time. We are never ones to ask and this is definitely not easy, but you see, this is our mom and dad. This has been the hardest thing we have had to face as a family, so we humbly ask you to give if you can. There is a great need and if you are willing to help with even the smallest amount, it would greatly be appreciated. Please pass this along, share with others and please help in any way possible, it is greatly appreciated.
Barbara would run the thrift stores and some times spend days on end trying to keep up with the workload. She would work in the stores by day, sometimes go down and cook and serve in the evenings and then back up to the warehouse to sort through the night. Our mother has always been a source of strength to us, always persevering through the toughest of times.
That being said, the last few weeks have been some of the hardest for us. For a while now Barb has been complaining of a pain in her stomach and the doctors could not put their hand on what was wrong. A few weeks ago she went back to the hospital and she was transported to a larger hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. There, we got the news that we never wanted to hear. Cancer was found in Barb's colon. In the end it was found to be stage 3 and they had to remove 3/4's of her colon. Over the last few weeks they have continued the tests and have found that she also has cancer in her lymph nodes as well as having a orange sized mass on her kidney.
The good news is the doctors have said that the main concern was taken care of with her colon. They were able to catch it before it burst and they believe at this time the rest will be treatable. Still, they can't do anything until she heals from this surgery. When she is strong enough they will decide how to move forward with treatment for the remaining cancer and whatever else they may find. During this time she has remained in the hospital, fought off infection, battled the flu and pneumonia, and has had some close calls. This has been hard for all of us who know how strong this woman is, having such a battle to face.
That brings us to our plea to you. Mom and dad have given their lives, sacrificed so much to serve and help those around them. They have truly been a picture of Christ's example to serve "the least of these". Right now, they need your help. Giving their life to ministry they have no regrets. Still, the ministry is not where you will strike it rich, let alone, build up a safety nest for the future. They have had to make it on very little over the years, and now they find themselves on a fixed and very tight budget, and definitely not prepared for what is coming their way.
We are asking as their children, knowing how many people our mom has touched, if you would be willing to give to help them in this, their greatest time of need. With the medical expenses that are already building up, there are so many more needs they are facing. From simple daily things like gas for Charles to get up there to be with mom on a regular basis. Barb will be spending a few weeks in a nursing facility until she can get back on her feet and then once she has recovered there will be cancer treatments and most likely more surgeries to come. Along with this, they are needing to change their living arrangements so they can be close to family for the help they will need in the future. Simply put, there is no way they can do this on their own.
The good news is we all know this, God already has this in control. We trust Him that He is going to provide and care for His own, just as they have been faithful to him over the years. So we are asking you, will you please allow God to use you to help them during this time. We are never ones to ask and this is definitely not easy, but you see, this is our mom and dad. This has been the hardest thing we have had to face as a family, so we humbly ask you to give if you can. There is a great need and if you are willing to help with even the smallest amount, it would greatly be appreciated. Please pass this along, share with others and please help in any way possible, it is greatly appreciated.