Dear Friends,

This holiday season, I’m asking for your thoughts, prayers, and support for a dear friend of mine here in Grand Rapids. She has played a key role in my own medical education, been a great support through similar challenges we've faced in life, and continues to be a devoted mother of two kids who are close in age to my own - girl, 8, and boy, 6. She is facing unimaginable challenges as she courageously fights to protect her children and provide them with the love and security they deserve.

Her Story:

Three years ago, my friend courageously left an abusive relationship to create a better life for her children. The abuse wasn’t just directed at her but also at her children—physical, emotional, and psychological harm that no one should endure, let alone innocent children. Despite everything, her strength and faith have carried her through the darkest moments.

The court granted her custody, but the children were still required to spend some time with their father. Tragically, during these court-mandated visits, additional instances of abuse occurred. The pain and fear were documented through reports with the police, CPS, and even their therapist.

For the past year, the children, now old enough to understand and articulate their fear, have refused to go with their father on his appointed days. During this time, they have been thriving under their mother’s care—excelling in school, forming healthy friendships, and finding peace for the first time in years.

But peace, it seems, is always under attack.

The Current Situation:

Recently, their father has begun demanding his parenting time again. He has taken my friend back to court, alleging “parental alienation,” and now a reunification specialist has forced the children to have contact with him. The trauma responses have returned—dissociation, nightmares, and a deep fear that no child should experience.

In an effort to protect her children, my friend moved them into a secured building, prioritizing their safety above all else. But this decision has come with significant financial burdens. She hasn’t been able to sell her condo, leaving her with both a mortgage and rent to pay. Legal battles have drained her savings, and she has exhausted the generosity of her church, family, and friends.

Her financial situation is now so dire that she has had to request a loan from her retirement account. She recently confided in me that she won’t be able to buy her kids Christmas presents this year and barely scraped together enough to buy them winter coats. Medical expenses related to the trauma they’ve endured—both hers and the children’s—continue to pile up.

Her service dog, trained to support her and the kids through PTSD, is another critical part of their healing journey, but even maintaining his care has become a challenge.

Why She Needs Your Help:

This remarkable mother has said to me many times:

“My kids are my world.”

“I’ll never give up this fight for them.”

“There is nothing I won’t do for my kids.”

And she means it.

But now, she needs us.

The costs of moving forward—housing, legal fees, medical bills, and everyday living expenses—are overwhelming. The goal of $39,500 is likely an underestimate of what she will need as she continues to fight for her children’s safety and future.

How You Can Help:

If you feel moved to support her, please consider donating, even if it’s just a few dollars. Every gift matters, and every act of kindness brings her closer to stability and peace for her family.

Above all, we ask for your prayers. Pray for her strength, for her children’s healing, and for a just resolution to this legal battle. Pray that this Christmas, despite the challenges, they can feel the love and joy that only Christ’s light can bring.