Help Pastor Gary beat cancer

This past weekend, Pastor Gary Braley received confirmation that some eyesight problems he's been having are caused by a cancerous tumor in the back of one of his eyes.  Anybody that's met Gary or his wife Cheryl knows they would never ask for financial assistance, even when faced with something like this.  My experience is that Gary has always put others first, even to the point of not taking a salary himself if it meant he was helping others.

I'm not sure where I would be if not for Gary.  Some of you may remember that almost a decade ago, my wife and I separated and divorced.  From the moment that Gary met my wife, Kyla, he knew that it wasn't too late to save our marriage.  When I finally came around, Gary's counsel was instrumental in putting our marriage back together.  He provided me a place to live while we were putting the pieces of our marriage back together.  He helped us restore more than what we had-knowing we needed to form a stronger foundation than before-so no matter what storms we faced, our marriage would survive stronger than ever.  If it wasn't for Gary, it's possible Kyla and I would have never reconciled, and my son, Ian, would have never been born.  Gary and Cheryl helped us with money and groceries when we were struggling just to buy the essentials; it's time we repay the kindness they've shown us.

Now Gary is facing a storm.  I know Gary and Cheryl would be content knowing that there are hundreds or thousands of people praying for his health, but I know we can go above and beyond and concretely help them during what may be the biggest storm they've faced. 

Obviously, treatment is expensive, even with great insurance - and I'm not going to pretend to know what their insurance situation is like.  He's going to be spending a lot of timing travelling to and from Boston.  That gets expensive.  Nobody should have to worry about finances just because of a diagnosis, and I know we can come together in support for somebody who has consistently, and selflessly, given his time, energy, and money into making other people's lives better.  Every little bit helps, so if you can only help a little, please help a little!  If you can help a lot, help a lot!  Let's all come together to be the light to help Gary and Cheryl weather this storm.


A message from his son-in-law, Pastor Pete Talbot:

"Some of you knew that Pastor Gary was going to Boston to see an eye specialist. They have confirmed the lump on his eye is a cancerous growth that needs to be radiated. This explains the vision problems that he has been having. The doctors have an action plan for this, which will include the installation of objects that will specifically direct the radiation to the right place on Pastor’s eye. All of this will be happening towards the end of the month and into September. 

While we all agree that doctors are miracle workers, we believe that God, the ultimate miracle worker can heal and bypass even the greatest physician on the face of the earth. We ask that you join with us in prayer to heal our Pastor.

Pastor Gary and Cheryl will be spending quite a bit of time in Boston during all this, so if you would like to help financially in any way, that would be greatly appreciated. They would never ask for anything, that’s why I write to you. I know Pastor would still be focused on trying to raise money for other needs, but this is our shepherd that God has placed over our faith family.

I do know that nothing takes God by surprise, and He will use this to show Himself great and mighty. Either God is good and faithful, or He is not. We believe that He is and He’s working all things together for good."