Over the last 9 years, Pastor John and Stef have been faithfully serving together at Northwest Chapel. John has poured life into the youth through Biblical teaching, events, intentional discipleship, and building a strong leadership team. His ministry has not only included youth, but young married couples and a pickleball sports outreach. Stef has partnered with John in all these ministries along with encouraging countless women through Bible study and one-on-one discipleship. Together they have impacted many lives for the Kingdom.

It has been a very hard summer for the Pappas family. All four of their children have been dealing with health issues, several quite serious that continue to get worse despite countless specialists, tests and appointments. They have ruled out mold and carbon monoxide in their home and have installed a reverse osmosis water system and improved air quality to rule out environmental contributors.

Alaya (13) has experienced a constant migraine that began May 26th. On July 8th, doctors diagnosed her with Status migrainosus, a severe migraine that never fully stops. Her days are filled with pain, fatigue, and difficulty walking. On the Quality of Life scale (10 = normal), she is about a 4-5.

Jacob (11) started showing fatigue on May 31st. By August 2nd, his migraines were also diagnosed as Status migrainosus. He tested positive for Lyme, or a Lyme-like virus, and they suspect he has an autoimmune disease. His health has declined rapidly and he now requires assistance walking or a wheelchair for the foreseeable future. His Quality of Life has dropped to a 2, as he is confined mostly to a bed or chair.

Aniah (9) has been sick for six months and has gotten much worse just recently. She has daily headaches, stomachaches, weakness, and fatigue. Tests have shown mitochondrial dysfunction, high oxalates, and poor detox pathways (consistent with her MTHFR mutation). Some of her bloodwork has come back abnormal and they are still waiting on more results. The doctor said she is severely depleted. She is currently unable to walk on her own and often needs a wheelchair. Her Quality of Life is a 4.

Alli (6) has been such a help around the house during all of this, taking on extra chores and supporting her siblings. This is a heavy burden for a 6 year old. Recently they found out she is severely farsighted and now has glasses full-time — something that came as a surprise after being told her vision was perfect last year.

Treatment for the kids includes 6-hour Rife + ozone therapy sessions twice weekly in Cincinnati, plus herbs, castor oil packs, Epsom salt baths, lymphatic drainage, organic whole-food/carnivore diet, red light therapy and infrared sauna 3x weekly. The family is treating all three kids for Lyme disease/Lyme-like virus with co-infections and multiple autoimmune disorders. The doctors are saying as well that the kids are dealing with super intense food allergies, which could be why they are having such bad reactions to all the herbs and supplements they have tried. 

The family is exhausted and stretched thin physically, emotionally and financially. Everyday all three kids are in the worst pain of their lives and so terribly weak. They miss their friends and have dropped out of all sports and even school activities for the time being.

John and Stef write, “We are trusting God, but the burden is heavy. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and love — it means more than words can say. You’ve all been a blessing and something the kids continually say they are thankful for.”

The Family’s Prayer Requests:

 • That treatments would begin to show benefits.

 • Wisdom for daily decisions as we care for the kids.

 • Strength and faith to keep going through this trial.

 • That we would praise God during this trial and be thankful in all things.

 • Financial provision and practical help.

 • Healing and improvement so the kids can return to school and some normalcy.

There are many ways in which you can help - praying, practical assistance with house cleaning, lawn care, meals, and financial support. Thank you for considering how you can encourage this special family.