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Is prayer just wishful thinking and then passively waiting for an answer? Or is there an active participation role we can play?

Jamie's Story

I heard the desperation in her voice as I said, “Tell me your story.” It all tumbled out: a mother with Alzheimer’s who lived across the country. She had just received a call from her aunts: we can no longer care for her. Her stepdad gave up long before, which is why her mother was with the aunts.

How on earth was she to bring her mother to Arizona and care for her daily needs? She was a busy mom with a 7-year-old daughter and a classroom of students depending on her as their teacher. Life felt full! There was never enough time in the day.

A single call thrust her into the world of caregiving overnight. There were so many unanswered questions and impossible circumstances to face. Where would mom sleep in their small home? Where were the funds for the last-minute flight across the country? She was needing support as she tried to make sense of the chaos that felt so overwhelming.

She wrestled with what to do, should she go, should she stay- and yet—it was her MOM! She couldn’t turn away. She couldn't live with herself if she did.

Rather than simply telling her to "think positive" or quoting Scripture as a platitude, we acknowledged the seriousness of her situation and stood with her in the fight. We prayed for answers and pleaded with God to make a way. By doing so, we were able to offer her the kind of hope and encouragement she needed to take the next steps forward, even if she didn't have all the answers yet.

We participated and stepped into the arena with her to

fight for answers through prayer. Pleading with God to make a way.

After her Mom arrived, she began attending our support groups and (with our encouragement) found a church! She recommitted her life to Christ and was baptized. We prayed with her, remembering that we cannot do it alone. She was struggling with credit card debt and the increasing cost of having her mom attend an Adult Day Care Center a few days a week.

Praise be to God! He answered:

Her new church nominated her as the recipient of a special collection and she received $3,000 to help pay off a credit card balance.
An uncle sent her a check for the exact amount of the day care bill (he had never sent support before).

Jamie's story reminds us of the importance of community. When we belong to a faith family and become dependent on God, He can use others to encourage our hearts and help meet our needs.

Praise*

The story of Kylee and Bo is an inspiration! At just nine years old, Kylee became a caregiver to her mother. She shared the tremendous difficulty of that season and how it impacts her today. Our caregivers were ministered to as Kylee shared how God turned her mess into a powerful message, and how God used Bo—a registered therapy dog for Canines for Christ—in her healing journey. Their smiles say it all!

Pray with Us 🙏🏽

Partnership

1) We're in need of monthly donors and year-end gifts to help us continue soaring and expanding Makers of Care in 2024. Please prayerfully consider partnering with us!

2) We're excited to be launching a Rally for Resilience to raise scholarship funds for individual and group coaching for caregivers. Join us in continuing to create brighter tomorrows for stronger caregivers.

Donate to Rally for Resilience

3) Do you know a past caregiver who is also a leader? We are actively looking for support group leaders to meet the growing need. Please connect us with them!

4) Writers are needed to help us write blogs, socials, devotionals, and more. Hit reply to this email if you have a love of words and marketing savvy.

Thank you so much for being a part of our community!

We see you, we hear you, we care.