Dear friends, family, and compassionate hearts,

We come humbly asking for your prayers and support as we walk through one of the hardest seasons of our lives.

On June 15, our beloved son, Ralphy, suffered cardiac arrest and respiratory failure. I (Neli) was able to bring him back at home after he stopped breathing before the firefighters arrived to give life-sustaining oxygen. It’s been a week now in the hospital and countless prayers lifted up, doctors have identified adenovirus as the cause — a common virus, but one that deeply affected our sons precious body. This was found after 253 tests.

By the grace of God, Ralphy is still with us. His testimony of faith is powerful and I know that God knitted a blanket of love that covers him still. From the paramedics who decided to take one last job because the only other ambulance would have taken 20 minutes that Ralph did not have to the miracle of his lung blood clots disappearing in 24 hours. He is a fighter, and we believe with all our hearts that God is not finished with his story. The road ahead is long, and while we continue to trust in the Great Physician for healing, we also know that faith must walk hand in hand with action.

To bring Ralphy home safely we urgently need to purchase specialized medical equipment that will help protect and strengthen his healing lungs:

• An adjustable bed to help support his breathing

• A high-quality air filtration system to purify the air and protect his fragile respiratory system

These are essential tools — not luxuries — and unfortunately, they are not covered by insurance. That’s why we’re stepping out in faith and asking our community for help. Both Becca and I are out of work for an extended period as we rebuild our life with a special-needs child. As parents, we will ensure there are no airborne toxins that he can be exposed to and we are committed to this! God has given us another opportunity to be his moms and we are eternally grateful.

If the Lord puts it on your heart to give, please know that every gift, no matter the size, is a blessing and will go directly toward helping our son heal in a safe, God-prepared space at home. And if you are not in a place to give financially, we ask for the greatest gift of all — your prayers. Prayers have carried him from the ambulance to the ER and to the PICU at Golisano’s Children’s hospital where we currently still are. Through the power of prayer to our most omnipotent God, our son was removed from life support today. Although still connected to a ventilator his lungs are working at 70% capacity! And to think- the doctors told us when we arrived he may not make it. We claimed victory in Jesus’ holy name!

Please pray for Ralphy’s full restoration, for peace that surpasses understanding, and for God’s provision in every step. I have felt like the floor was lava for the past 7 days and I was weak. But God restored my Faith before my very eyes. We know that where two or three are gathered, He is in the midst, and we feel His presence through the love and compassion of people like you.

From our family to yours — thank you for walking alongside us, for your prayers, and for believing in the power of God to restore what has been broken. We trust that the Lord will multiply every seed sown in love.

With faith, hope, and gratitude,

Nelida and Becca

Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”