At the end of May 2022 our niece, Rachel, gave birth to her precious 5th child, Ember. It was a very complicated delivery and two weeks later she needed an emergency D&C and antibiotics. She was told she would be fine, but about 2 weeks later, she collapsed at home and went to the hospital by ambulance. She was eventually diagnosed with sepsis (blood infection). She was taken into surgery but she "coded" 6 times. On the 6th time they could not get her back.

As most can imagine this has been shocking and devastating to her husband, KJ, and their five children. Trying to deal with their grief plus taking on all the care of an almost 5-week-old baby, work, and trying to make ends meet without Rachel's income.

Then, at the end of December their area, like much of our country, had that polar vortex that caused widespread below-freezing temperatures. The family had left the taps dripping to try to keep pipes from freezing but woke to frozen pipes, a burst water heater, and even some of the brick on the outside of the house had broken because of the frozen pipes. Yes, they did turn off the water main, but the damage was already done.

Getting a plumber out to work on the repair took a long time (I'm sure all the plumbers are busy with lots of folks having burst pipes from the freeze). Then, for $2000 this plumber fixed a couple of things, but said he couldn't find the actual broken pipe that was leaking. It now appears the work he did was not even done correctly and will have to be redone. Meanwhile, the family is still living in the house without any hot water, no baths/showers, and without being able to use the washing machine. They have to turn on the water main for short periods of time to get water into pans to heat up on the stove to use to wash up with and other basic water needs. Unfortunately, each time the water main is open the broken pipe leaks more. Their water bill is in the thousands of dollars. And KJ cannot afford a motel for the family, and does not have any other options for living arrangements.

The best thing for their situation is to get the pipes fixed (and find a new plumber - KJ is working on finding another one that will hopefully be more competent and reputable), the gas water heater replaced, and if enough money is raised, to help pay their utility bill. Unfortunately, all the pipes in the house need to be replaced (and some sections have to be completely moved/rerouted), all the drains need to be replaced, and the water heater. We are hoping to raise $20,000 but may need to up that if a new plumber comes in with a higher bid (prices are going up on everything almost daily, so we need to be prepared).

This amount also doesn't include money for the repairs that will need to be done after the leak is fixed/all the plumbing done, for drywall, at least one electrical outlet that stopped working, flooring, repairing the brick on the outside of the house, etc. There are also some outstanding medical bills.

Please consider donating. We know many are feeling that money is tight, but every little bit will help. If you are a prayer warrior, please pray for their family, for the funds needed to be raised and for a new plumber to be found.

The banner pic is of their two youngest girls, baby Ember and Kat.

If you can, please share the link on your social media accounts, even if you can't afford to donate. They need all the help they can get.