Mike was diagnosed with Maleo Displastic Syndrome, a form of rare blood cancer where bone marrow stem cells fail to mature into healthy blood cells, leading to low blood counts. The doctors told him he had 12 months to live. That was 5 years ago, and while he continues to beat the odds, his situation is a difficult one. Mike does not have the means to work or get by on anything more than the $700 or so he gets from disability. The home he lives in, they thought had been paid up in taxes, but as it turned out was behind before they moved in. The roof over their home is also beginning to degrade and is desperate need of repair or replacement. Despite the cancer, the degrading roof, and the lack of funds to change their situation, Mike continues to trust in the Lord, though he did not start in life as a Christian.
My father had been praying for Mike for some time, sharing the gospel with him, but Mike had not been raised Christian. He’d not had grown up with the Lord, but the Lord reached out to him all the same and set his heart on fire for Jesus! Ever since, God has filled him with the Holy Spirit and Mike’s foremost thoughts are always on the Lord first. In fact, when I asked him how much he wanted to go back to the platform so it could continue to help others and that it ranged from 1-10%, he said “I think 10%, that’s what the Lord said, isn’t it?” I was smiling on the other end of the line because I knew he was right.
In the time I’ve gotten to know Mike, I can say that he has well and truly impressed upon me what it means to be a believer in spite of the world and the things it throws our way. He has shown that even when a situation seems bleak, you can always rely on God to see you through. I hope anyone who reads this might empathize with Mike’s situation and see it in their heart to act in faith as Mike does every day. What he truly needs right now is a miracle and I hope this community can do that for him like it did for my sister not too long ago.
Thank you all for your support, no matter how small. Even if all you have to give is a prayer and a share—every little bit helps.
God bless you all.
