<div><strong>Introduction</strong>
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<div>Our son Raphael was born on December 1, 2025, in Lewisville, Texas. Instead of going home with us, he was rushed to the NICU on his first day of life. Since then he has been fighting through a serious condition called <a href="https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/tracheoesophageal-fistula" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tracheoesophageal Fistula Type C</a> and has already undergone major surgery and intensive care.
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<div>We are doing everything we can to stand strong for him, but the medical and financial reality is overwhelming. We believe Jesus works through community, so we are humbly asking for help, not as a handout, but as a chance to walk through this storm together and multiply the good that comes from it.
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<div>“Then He said to them all, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
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<div>Luke 9:23
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<div><strong>Raphael’s Story</strong>
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<div>Shortly after Raphael was born, doctors discovered that his esophagus and trachea were connected in a way that should not happen. This condition made it impossible for him to feed normally and put his breathing and life at risk.
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<div>After a short period of time at Medical City Lewisville, Raphael was rushed by ambulance directly to the NICU at Medical City Plano to get him in their Level IV NICU. There, surgeons and NICU doctors began planning and performing the complex surgery needed to repair this connection and protect his airway and ability to eat.
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<div>Since day one, our life has been a cycle of hospital visits, NICU updates, alarms, monitors, and prayers. Raphael has already shown incredible strength for such a tiny body, and we are grateful for every step forward. At the same time, we know his journey is not over. The doctors expect him to remain in the NICU for weeks while he heals, grows, and learns to feed safely.
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<div><strong>Our Reality as a Family</strong>
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<div>Before Raphael’s birth, we were already in a difficult place.
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<div>Itzel and I have been trying to build a tech business while I search endlessly for stable work. I have a very strong senior software engineering resume and portfolio, but the current job market has been unforgiving. I have dozens of automated emails rejecting me for positions that I should have at the very least had an opportunity to interview for with another real human across from me. I've sadly accumulated debt while we tried to get the business off the ground and find secure employment for myself. Just as we were trying to balance those pressures, Raphael’s emergency changed everything overnight.
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<div>Now we are facing:
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<li>Major hospital and surgical costs for a complex NICU case
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<li>Daily NICU related expenses like gas, tolls, and food
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<li>Regular household bills and existing debt
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<li>No current income from me
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<li>My partner is on paid maternity leave that helps, but does not cover everything
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<div>We do not yet know what the final hospital bill will be. Families in similar situations can see costs that run into hundreds of thousands of dollars, even with insurance. We set a goal of $100,000 to help cover medical costs, the financial gap while we focus on Raphael, and the basic needs of our family during this crisis.
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<div>We're hoping the hospital bill isn't too high, but if things are worse than we hope we'll update our goal. Anything given that's in excess of what we need will be given back to the same places we'll be volunteering in return for your donations.
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<div><strong>Why We Are Asking for Help</strong>
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<div>Jesus taught us to love our neighbors, to carry one another’s burdens, and to give to those in need. He did not shame people for asking for help. He met them with compassion and invited others to do the same.
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<div>We are not asking for comfort or luxury.
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<div>We are asking for the chance to stay present with our son, keep a roof over our heads, keep food on the table, and survive this season without being crushed by medical and financial weight.
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<div>If you feel led to help, know that your support is an answer to prayer. If you cannot give but can share or pray, that means the world to us too.
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<div><strong>How Funds Will Be Used</strong>
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<div>Your support will help our family cover:
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<li>NICU and surgery related medical bills for Raphael
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<li>Specialty doctor visits/examinations
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<li>Gas, tolls, and food during NICU and specialty doctor visits
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<li>Baby care essentials for Raphael’s transition home
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<li>Rent, utilities, and groceries while we focus on his recovery, along with Itzel's recovery.
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<div>More than anything, we want Raphael home in our arms without the financial stress adding to an already delicate situation. Every donation will be returned through the power of volunteer work, because that's what Jesus would do. We will update this page as we learn more about actual costs and insurance coverage, so you can see clearly how your generosity is making a difference.
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<div><strong>Our Commitment Back: Serving Others in Jesus’ Name</strong>
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<div>If Jesus received help from others for His family, He would turn around and serve others even more. We want to follow that example.
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<div>To honor every act of generosity, we are making this commitment:
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<div><em>Base Commitment</em>
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<div>For every <strong>$1,000</strong> donated,
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<div>we commit to <strong>5 </strong>hours of community service.
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<div>This service will go to:
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<li><a href="https://www.gracegrapevine.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GRACE Grapevine</a>
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<li><a href="https://6stones.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">6 Stones Mission Network</a>
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<li><a href="https://compass.church/locations/colleyville" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Compass Christian Church Outreach</a>
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<li><a href="https://gatewaypeople.com/campuses/southlake" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gateway Church Southlake</a>
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<li><a href="https://keepgrapevinebeautiful.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Keep Grapevine Beautiful</a>
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<li><a href="https://www.communitystorehouse.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Community Storehouse</a>
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<li>Helping nonprofits, community groups, and small businesses with technology and creative work
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<div>That means, for example:
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<li><strong>$10,000</strong> raised equals <strong>50 </strong>hours of service
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<li><strong>$50,000</strong> raised equals <strong>250 </strong>hours of service
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<li><strong>$100,000</strong> raised equals <strong>500 </strong>hours of service
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<div><em>Milestone Commitments</em>
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<div>On top of that, we will add extra hours at key milestones:
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<li>At <strong>$25,000</strong> raised, an additional <strong>25 </strong>hours
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<li>At <strong>$50,000</strong> raised, an additional <strong>50 </strong>hours
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<li>At <strong>$100,000</strong> raised, an additional <strong>100 </strong>hours
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<div>If the full goal of <strong>$100,000</strong> is reached, that equals:
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<li><strong>500</strong> hours from the <strong>$1,000</strong> increments
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<li><strong>175 </strong>hours from milestone bonuses
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<div>Total: <strong>675</strong> hours of volunteer service in Jesus’ name.
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<div>We will publicly document completed volunteer hours so the community can see how your help is being multiplied into service for others.
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<div><strong>How You Can Help</strong>
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<div>If you feel called to support us, you can:
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<li>Donate any amount, large or small
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<li>Share this link and/or the QR code below with friends, family, church members, etc. who might want to help and/or pray
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<li>Commit to praying for Raphael’s healing and our family’s endurance
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<div><strong>A Nighttime Prayer for Raphael</strong>
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<div>Each night in the NICU, we pray this over Raphael. You are welcome to join us in this prayer wherever you are.
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<div>Nighttime Prayer
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<div>Jesus, tonight we place Raphael in Your hands.
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<div>We ask that you hold him while we sleep.
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<div>That you watch over him when we cannot.
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<div>Let Raphael rest safely in Your presence.
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<div>Let Your peace fill his tiny body.
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<div>Let Your light cover him through the night.
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<div>Stay close to him, Lord, and keep him surrounded by Your love.
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<div>And Jesus, give us the strength we need for tomorrow,
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<div>the calm we need for our hearts,
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<div>and the faith we need for each new step.
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<div>Amen.
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<div>From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for reading, for caring, for praying, and for any help you feel led to give. You are part of Raphael’s story now, and we are grateful beyond words.
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Auralila Wilson

Sherry H.

Vicky Henson

Sherry Holbrook

Kathy Scaruffi

Amy H

Anonymous

Robert Brumfield

Debora Cherry

Beverly Linton

Larissa Parker

Sharon Holbrook

john brumfield

ErikandJackie Bahr

Ida Holbrook

Raphael's Journey - Help Our Angel Heal & Thrive

Raphael's Journey - Help Our Angel Heal & Thrive

Still $11,515 to go. Help us build momentum.