Bring Krista's Family Home Safely

Family of 5 Stranded 1.3 Thousand Miles From Home

I’m desperately trying to help my friend, Krista, and her family to get back home.

Krista and Lance, and their 3 young daughters Cyndil (9), Danika (11) and Tatiana (12) endured a series of catastrophic events that led to them being stranded 1.3 thousand miles from home:

Several months ago, they were forced to leave their home due to black mold, which had made the children sick for the entire six years they’d lived there. The landlord refused to address the issue, and so, for the sake of their daughters’ health, they had no choice but to leave.

Unfortunately, the family has since been unable to find an affordable home. All they have left are a few suitcases and their car- which had served as their home until the Salvation Army took them into their Family Shelter in Peoria, Illinois.

Prior to losing their home, Krista’s mom, Marilyn (who’d been her rock, emotional support, and ally through her numerous trials) suffered a stroke which left her incapacitated, and unable to communicate clearly. While in the family shelter, and lacking the resources to make the cross-country journey, Krista was unable to visit her ailing mom.

Tragically, after several weeks in the hospital, and following a number of hopeful improvements and heartbreaking setbacks, Marilyn passed away unexpectedly, leaving Krista utterly devastated.

The Salvation Army generously donated enough gas money for the family to drive to California to bury Krista’s mother, and say their final goodbyes.

Following the memorial service, on their return trip back to Illinois, yet another catastrophe struck. The family’s car overheated in Gallup, New Mexico, where they’ve been stranded since the last week of June.

A local mechanic quoted them $900 to fix their car, but without assistance, they won’t have the resources to feed their family, much less repair their car.

edit: since this writing, the cost for repairs has increased significantly, as there is far more damage than originally presumed.

as if this were not enough, Krista’s car was broken into by thieves, who stole provisions, food, water, medication, as well as other possessions not yet fully assessed.

The family has since been transferred to a shelter in Albuquerque. They are beginning to lose hope of ever finding their way home, as the trials continue to mount.

This family desperately needs to get home. They are hoping and praying that they will find their way back soon- and that their jobs will still be waiting for them when they do.

Any assistance, no matter how small, will help get them closer to finding their way home.