Sam doesn’t believe in strangers, only friends he hasn’t met yet. While he may look like a tough guy at first glance, thanks to his passion for getting up early and going to the gym, he has a big, gentle heart for fellowshipping with others. If you’ve had the pleasure of meeting Sam, then you know of his genuine warmth and that contagious smile that radiates across his face. If you’re lucky, you may even know of the outstanding bear hugs he gives.

What you may not know about Sam is that he has been faced with a difficult obstacle this summer. One day at work, Sam’s legs suddenly gave out on him, causing him to collapse to the floor. What was thought to be siatica turned out to be a herniated disc that was compressing his central nervous system. Emergency surgery was performed to halt the damage and restore feeling to his legs.

Unfortunately, Sam developed blood clots in his lungs post-surgery, and stopped breathing. A second emergency operation was performed to save his life. As he would say, “By the grace of God,” that surgery was a success, and our friend Sam is still with us!

After spending over a month in the hospital, Sam was finally stable enough to return home. While he is delighted to be back home after his difficult experience, he is now at the beginning of what is expected to be a lengthy recovery period.

Sam is not a sedentary person, quite often holding multiple jobs on top of attending school and caring for those in his community (and of course, going to the gym). However, rehabilitation now requires him to enter into a season of rest, to allow his body to fully heal, so he can return to being the active, joyful guy we all know and love.

To aid in his recovery, and support his financial obligations during his time away from work, consider making a contribution on his behalf. Not only will you be helping a friend in a time of need, but you may even be thanked one day with a big ol’ Sam bear hug.

Matthew 25:35-40

35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’