On Christmas Eve, Jason and Crystalina were informed by an oncologist that their son, John Paul, had been diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma and would need to begin receiving cancer treatment within days.

Heartbroken but hoping for a miracle, the family admitted him to a children's hospital. The unfortunate cancer diagnosis was agreed upon by multiple oncologists and based upon findings in several X-rays, ultrasounds, blood draws, a CT scan, and PET scan.

In preparation for his treatment, the family begged the world to intercede for John Paul. Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit prayed by his bedside, messages of support poured in by the thousands, and Paul J. Kim and his wife sent in messages of support, offering their suffering with their terminally ill 5-year-old son Micah, as a prayer for John Paul's healing.

On December 30th, John Paul underwent surgery to obtain a biopsy to determine the grade and characteristics of his cancer, and to insert a Broviac Line into his chest, through which the chemotherapy would be administered.

However, when the surgery concluded, the doctors were admittedly perplexed by the nature of the orange-sized mass that they had believed was a malignant tumor.

They explained that what they previously believed with 99% certainty was cancer, perhaps was not. When the pathology reports of the biopsy were completed on January 2, the doctors concluded that John Paul had no cancer and instead would need to be treated for coccidioidomycosis. A second operation was performed to remove John Paul's Broviac line, and he was discharged from the hospital the same day.

The Evert family is overjoyed by the fact that John Paul will not need to receive chemotherapy and is deeply grateful for all the support and intercession they have received during this difficult time.

However, the financial burden of John Paul’s two surgeries and week in the hospital is more than this family of 10 had anticipated this holiday season. In addition, the average lifetime cost to treat coccidioidomycosis that has disseminated to the lymphatic system is between $100,000-300,000. To be present with the family through this crisis, Jason has needed to cancel work/ministry engagements, and John Paul may not be able to return to school or work for an undetermined amount of time. Jason and Crystalina have generously devoted themselves to serving young people for more than 25 years, and as a result, many have reached out asking how they could offer support.

If you have supported this family with your prayers, please consider supporting them through GoFundMe to help them erase the financial burden of medical bills and a loss of work.

In the meantime, please continue to pray for John Paul’s continued and complete healing.