Friends, Family, Listeners, and Readers,

A week or so ago my wife took our friend, Melody, to the emergency room for what we thought would be a couple of routine IV bags to battle dehydration, and a relatively quick exit. As the hours wound on, I received a MarcoPolo from my wife around midnight confirming our worst fears – a CT scan had revealed cancer which had, per the doctors, “been there for a while.”

Melody is around our age, a dear friend, a dear member of Cornerstone Community Church, a single mom, and the owner/operator of a small business that doesn’t work without her – because she does the work. Mel works tirelessly, year-round, and is always generous with her time and expertise in our church body as a swim coach, a seamstress, and a joyful dog sitter! Nobody loves dogs more than Mel (shoutout to Fletch, my favorite old hound!)

Like many of us, the current economic realities make her life hard, even under the best of circumstances. Now she is looking at surgery, chemo, and a long recovery, and perhaps an extended period of time where she will be unable to work. We’re endeavouring to offset her medical bills and living expenses, so that she can focus on healing.

A bit about Melody: She is one of the coolest, funniest, most clever, most enjoyable, most talented people at our church. A Tier One hang, and a Tier One creative force. A few months ago, when a couple in her small group lost their infant daughter, she drove to Memphis, unprompted, to sit with them in their grief. Now it’s our turn to sit with her – literally and financially – as she deals, in her body, with the reality of life in a world full of sin and decay. Because of Christ, we’re delighted to link arms with her as we all walk toward the celestial city, but we’re also delighted to make her meals, mow her grass, and contribute financially as she fights this battle.

So, Gut Check Army, KLUCK Podcast Army, readers, listeners, acquaintances, and friends: this is a call to financial arms. Please ask God how you might be involved in the life of a dear sister in Christ, and click the Give Now button to contribute any amount on a one-time or ongoing basis.

I’m reminded of Psalm 68:6 which says, “The Lord settles the solitary in a home…” and He has settled her in our church home, and in our family of faith. It’s an honor to protect her, and for a time, help provide for her needs.

It’s overwhelming to think of how we serve a God who is sovereign, good, and always working to take what man meant for evil and use it for good. We’ve seen this in Mel’s life and in ours. And we’re grateful.

Yours,

Ted Kluck