Lost At Sea House Of Mercy Help Fund

On March 5th, 2016, House of Mercy in Neosho, Missouri, sent 6 of its members ( 4 men and 2 women) on a mission trip to the Islands of Chuuk.  They arrived and rented a boat to make the 60 mile trek to one of the smaller islands, but they encountered choppy waters on their journey and never arrived to their destination.  (The owner of the boat acknowledged that the motor had recently had mechanical difficulty.) On March 9th, the US Coast Guard was dispatched out of Gaum.  Days of searching yielded nothing more than a backpack , gas can, and a few of their personal items.  
     One small church and 6 families were dealt a tragic and devastating blow.  Four wives lost their husbands, providers, and fathers to their children.  The two women were sisters.  8 young children were left fatherless.  3 additional children lost their mother who was the only parent in their lives.  Relatives and church members have been  quietly  praying, supporting, and giving sacrificially to provide for these families for four months.    They've been pulling together to pay rent, utilities, vehicle payments, and other expenses as the needs arise for each family.  It's been a heavy burden to bear both emotionally and financially.  
     These women do not wish to be a burden on anyone.  They've been reluctant to ask for help.  Their pastor's desire is to provide enough support to get them to the place where they can stand on their own two feet.   $20,000 is a conservative figure that will be divided among the 6 families to meet their immediate needs while they are in the process of finding jobs that will help them get back on their feet and adjust to their new normal.  
      According to the Coast Guard, these individuals currently have the status of "Lost at Sea."  Many of the families still hope and pray for a miraculous recovery.  It's been so difficult to move on without any closure, yet with every day that passes reality sets in a little more.  
     I'm both honored and humbled to call these people friends.   While I do not attend church there,  I'm compelled by James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  I'm actually just a teacher in the community who was blessed to have one of these children in class when her father went missing.     I've had so many people ask how they can help, so I approached the pastor to ask if I could share their story, because I felt in my heart that people would want to help if they only knew.   There is no need for them to bear this burden alone.   Please share and give as the Lord enables you.  If you prefer to make a  donation directly to the church, you can mail a check  to the following address: 
House of Mercy
10100 Norway Rd.  
Neosho, MO  64850

The pastor's name is Tonis Mathew.  This fund has been set up with his permission, and all money raised will go directly to the families.

"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."   Galatians 6:2