Hello Dear Friends and Family!

I am raising money for my sister and her son, Benjamin, to go to Japan and to do some EMDR counseling. I think I have shared with most of you about my sister's situation at some point. They have been going through a very difficult time and have experienced much trauma throughout their years. Benjamin has suffered throughout his life with severe health issues, a brother with mental health disorders, his parents divorcing last July and other things. Sadly, this all has brought him to a very low place of depression.

Benjamin has grown up traveling with his family and through this it has become his dream to go to Japan. He believes that this will help him in his low state to have some thing to look forward to. So in knowing this, his father had been sharing that he was saving to take Benjamin to Japan. But recently he shared with Heidi that he decided to take what he was saving and go on a trip with his girlfriend instead. I tell you this so you can pray and understand more of the current situation.

So that being said, if you could please join me in prayer for all of them, most of all that the Holy Spirit will bring Benjamin, Hadrian and Chris (the father) to salvation! We all know that Jesus is the only one that can give them joy, peace, healing and freedom from their trauma, physical ailments, and mental health issues. My heart is breaking for them, including my sister. If you could also lift her up to the Lord too, I would appreciate it very much. Everyday there is something in this broken situation that arises that is hard. Her road is very exhausting, but the Lord continues to be faithful to her. He is her rock, refuge and help in time of need, praise be to God!

So as I was sharing about this situation with a very good friend of mine, she gave me the idea of doing a fund raiser to help send Heidi and Benjamin to Japan. I prayed about it and here I am! We know the answer for them is Jesus, but this could be a way for us as the body of Christ to surround them with prayer and provisions to fulfill Benjamin's dream and share God's love. Heidi has also shared her desire and need for EMDR counseling with me for her and Benjamin. She has a friend who is a child psychologist who has recommended this form of therapy to work through all of the trauma they have been through.

Thank you so much for your love, support and prayers that you have already given Heidi and our family through the years! I know that by the grace of God and His faithfulness and goodness, and your prayers, she and her sons are where they are at now. Thank you Lord and all of you!

But thank you for joining me in prayer for the current situation. Heidi does not know that I am sending out this message and doing this fundraiser, but I will share with her about it soon. I know that she will be so encouraged and filled with hope to know that you are all praying for them. And if you want to prayerfully consider giving towards the trip to Japan and/or EMDR counseling that would be such an encouragement and blessing too.

I have done some research on cost to go to Japan for 7-10 days. For 2 people, it could cost anywhere from $4000-$6000 dollars for airfare, housing, food and activities. And for EMDR counseling upon return, the average cost is $200 for a 60 minute session per person. So for 10 sessions each, the cost would be $4000. So thank you for prayerfully considering to help give towards these 2 separate costs for them.

Thank you again friends for joining me in prayer, support and love for Heidi and her sons! If you have any questions about anything, please feel free to call or text me. I would love to hear from you. Really, it means so much to know that you are all praying for my sister and her family, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Much Love and prayers,

Christi