Help for the Weinkauf Family

Josh and Kaari Weinkauf built their life on the foundations of their Christian faith, frugality, and a deep love for each other. Married in 2009, they dreamed of growing their family, and in 2017, they made that dream a reality by adopting two brothers, Samson and Jakob, from Daugavpils, Latvia. It wasn’t an easy transition for any of them, but their home was filled with love and perseverance.

Then, life changed dramatically.

Josh began suffering from heart complications in 2021, and by mid-2022 he underwent major surgery to replace two of his valves with mechanical ones. Recovery was complicated and slow—he was eventually diagnosed with congestive heart failure. At one point, his heart was functioning at only 25% capacity, and the possibility of a heart transplant was being considered. By the grace of God, with a new cardiologist and adjusted medication, his condition improved, but he will never fully recover.

Around the same time, Kaari began suffering from unexplained seizures. After her third seizure—just weeks after Josh’s surgery—she experienced a severe medical crisis. She aspirated during the seizure, resulting in a significant loss of oxygen to her brain. The outcome was devastating: Kaari sustained extensive brain damage and now requires full-time assistance with all of her daily activities.

Josh has returned to work full-time, but Kaari’s care costs an additional $6,000 a month—an expense that far exceeds their financial ability to cover.

Amid these hardships, their son Samson also began facing serious personal challenges. In the wake of so much upheaval, he struggled with addiction. With great courage, the family enrolled him in Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch. There, Samson not only achieved sobriety and completed high school early but also experienced personal healing and renewal of his faith. While the program’s $75,000 cost was unplanned, it has been a life-changing investment in his future.

To make ends meet, the Weinkaufs have drained their emergency savings, sold their dream home, and used the proceeds to make their new home ADA accessible. They’ve leaned on their families, their faith, their church, and their community. But their financial needs are mounting.

Now, through GoFundMe, we have the opportunity to come alongside this family in a tangible way.

We’ve set a goal of raising $54,000 to help cover the Weinkauf family’s shortfall—$6,000 per month of care expenses through the end of the year. These funds will allow them to continue supporting Kaari’s needs, provide stability for their sons, and begin to move forward with hope and peace of mind.

Every contribution helps. If you’re able to give, we thank you. If you can share this message with others, we’re deeply grateful. And most importantly, please keep the Weinkaufs in your prayers as they continue to navigate this journey—physically, emotionally, and financially.

Thank you for your generosity and blessings to you and your loved ones!