On August 9th, my older brother, Loren, went to work and came home like any other day. Three days later, he was in the ICU fighting for his life against sepsis. This was the beginning of what was a 49-day hospital journey and included a primary diagnosis of endocarditis (heart infection), lots of antibiotic treatment, 3 different orthopedic joint washouts of his knees and elbows to clean out infection, at least 1 ischemic stroke from septic emboli, at least 1 hemorrhagic stroke requiring neurovascular surgery to put a coil in to stop the brain bleed, and open-heart surgery on September 22nd to clean out the infection in his heart and replace his mitral valve that had been damaged by the infection. By the grace of God, he is now at UAB's Spain Rehab Center and will begin physical, occupational, and speech therapy today.

Lo has been out of work for almost 2 months now and currently has no source of income. As we don't know the Lord's plan or timeline for Lo's return to work, we are hoping to raise some funds to help with his medical bills as well as his monthly expenses for the next several months.

Loren and I both have felt the same way about this. In our pride, we don't like the idea of asking people for money. We don't like relying on others. But I believe the Lord, in His great providence, has designed this trial to show my brother, myself, and the rest of our family our weakness and to help us rely on Him more. He gives us exactly what we need when we need it so we can know and love Him more.

Another reason I’ve been more open to doing this is because of the way the early church functioned and supported one another as the following passage shows, and I think a fundraiser like this is just one way that Christ-followers can display the love of Christ to a watching world.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-27

The Lord has been so faithful to our family along this journey, and He has done this through the prayers and support of our friends, family, and even people we don’t even know. As the Apostle Paul taught the Corinthian church, the goal and result of generosity should be gratitude to the praise and glory of God, and we are so thankful for all the ways He has shown His goodness and faithfulness to us through His people.

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! 2 Corinthians 9:10-15