Bear One Another's Burdens
During this COVID season, nothing has touched my heart as much as the story of a young lady named Susan in East Africa.
I heard about Susan* through a woman I met named Violet, whose love and passion for the sanctity of life put me to shame. Violet volunteers tirelessly! She visits rural churches during the week to speak about the precious lives being taken through abortion every day. She volunteers at a local center where healing classes are offered to young ladies and counsels them on how they can find true healing in Jesus following an abortion.
Violet has given her cell number to the men and women in her community – the castaways and the marginalized. They call her nonstop … searching for much-needed answers.
As I was texting with Violet one day, she kept referring to a lady who calls her every single day.
“Today, I hung up on her again,” she told me. “I keep telling her that I am unable to help her. Still, she keeps calling, almost every day. Wouldn't you know it,” she continued, “the church where I was speaking at today, that same lady was in the audience!”
Of course, I had to ask the obvious question. Why was this lady so persistent? And why was she unable to help her?
“Well,” she said, “Susan has cervical cancer, and we are just unable to help her. She has been to the local referral hospital many times. Still, since she is unable to pay for the needed tests and treatments, they are unable to help her there, as well.”
As Violet spoke, I knew I had to ask what the cost for the tests and treatment would be. I hesitated to ask as I didn't want to get her hopes up if I wasn’t going to be able to help. I eventually asked if she could gather some information and let me know the charge for everything.
The text said, “the cost for the initial test will be 400,000” in the currency of this particular country. That seems like a lot of money, I thought, but how many dollars would that be? Am I going in over my head with this? When I Googled the currency in dollars, I was utterly shocked. The 400,000 was $110.
To think that another human being’s life was hanging in the balance for $110. She was not able to receive medical attention for cancer because she couldn’t afford $110. How many times and ways have I used $110 in one week, not realizing that it could save a life? I couldn't decide if I should cry or be happy.
For Susan, who lives on $1.90 or less a day, $110 is not attainable.
But through your support of Julie’s Heart Cry, Susan was able to receive the funds needed for the initial test and treatment. We will continue to support and follow her throughout her treatment. The good news is her cancer is in the first stage and is treatable.
When Violet accompanied Susan to her first consultation, she witnessed another heartbreaking medical issue that I will be sharing with you another time.
Isn’t it amazing how God’s guidance of Violet and Susan’s persistence connected them with Julie’s Heart Cry thousands of miles away?
Because of Susan, the Emergency Medical Fund will now be a part of Julie’s Heart Cry ministry. If you feel a tug at your heart, please click here to donate to the fund.
Susan has asked many times, “Why would someone who doesn’t know me want to help me?”
Through this fund, you will have the perfect opportunity and privilege to point women like her to Jesus. You’ll be able to let these ladies know how much Jesus loves them, how He sees their tears and feels their pain.
You now know the impact $110 can have on the life of a person living on $1.90 or less per day. Won’t you please consider giving?
* Name changed for privacy