Family Support: Education & Medical

In 2011 our family of five (at the time) returned from opening up a micro-enterprise Tourism company in Marrakech, Morocco. My fourth babe, Benjamin, was born nearly 8 weeks early and spent a month in the NICU at Mary Bridge in Tacoma. 


Over the years since we have battled medical debts from that time, as well as other medical issues that arose, including another stay for Benjamin in the hospital, and two surgeries for Danielle. On top of the medical expenses, we have replaced both of our vehicles in the last year- and by God’s grace we were aided in that process through generosity. 

As we prayed and looked at our situation it became apparent that we were doing the right thing: Danielle staying home to raise the kids before they were all in school. To make ends meet, both Luis and I have worked side jobs, cleaned offices at night and tried to move forward. Luis often works 7 days a week to support us and in the last year because of needing to meet the needs of childcare and my absence at school, his work hours are often a few hours short in a pay period. 

We want to build a life we love and we need practical help. Part of that process is Danielle committing to a 3 year grad school program that will hopefully lead to a professional role while maintaining a schedule that meets the needs of our family. Because of the blessings of family the kids and Danielle were able to take a road trip to see her brother and his wife. Luis needed to stay home to work. It is very apparent that Luis needs a break to recover, the stress of providing, while he doesn’t complain, at times becomes overwhelming; however, our family is committed to education and see this as a path towards freedom.  The next two years will be a challenge, but well worth it. 

Danielle has grown in passion and desire to serve in the capacity of advocate and therapist for our community and is pursuing this in her grad school program, training to specialize in trauma care, hoping to work part time in the schools and part time with human trafficking survivors.  She just completed her first year. 

During this time of study, we need help to continue to pay our medical debts, Danielle’s education and meet the children’s needs (school clothes, shoes, ect). Shortly after Benjamin’s stay in the hospital we cut up our credit cards because we were in a cycle of paying basic needs on credit. As a result, we are working towards being debt-free, but still have basic needs that are difficult to meet as we balance studies, one income and normal family emergencies.  

Our needs are are as follows from the $5000:
1. School clothes for children: shoes, socks, shirts, jeans, ect. 
2. Danielle’s books for fall term ($500) - she has taken an extra class to push herself to finish as much as possible while she can
3. Luis needs new tools for carpentry: new jigsaw, grinder, sander, car hart work pants
4. Medical Expenses: Luis and Danielle need to visit the dentist, it’s been 6 years!  Danielle’s medical bills from ER visits in January of 2018 for the surgery she ended up needing in March.
5. School Supplies for kids: we need a new, cheap laptop for the kids to be able to use for school work that has basic Microsoft or Apple programs so the kids can do school work. 
6. House repair: we need to replace our entire roof this summer before it rains and the flooring/sub-flooring in one bathroom that had a leak. 
7. Danielle has been accepted and given a scholarship to a leadership conference in October and we need funds to cover Luis missing two days of work. 

These are some of our most pressing financial/practical needs. It is hard to admit we cannot do it, but we cannot. Thank God for Family and friends  who have helped us this past year when life felt impossible. If you can even give a small amount, thank you! Luis and I are working hard to set our family on a path that serves others and meets the needs of our family!