I’m typically around people who are asking for help or need
something. Seldom am I around someone who is truly willing to lay their life
down for another, especially if it puts their physical health in question. I
have known Sylvia over the last 4 years. She is one of my ‘Hispanic’
Moms/Grandmas. She is the type of friend that is always asking if there is
something she can do. Usually that equates to making food for an event or drive
at the last minute for a special event.
My friend or sister Sylvia has experienced lots of hardship
in her life over the last couple of years. Her Nana died two years ago. Sylvia
and her daughter, Andee, lived and helped take care of Nana. This was a very
difficult adjustment to have Nana gone and still live in the same house. The
same year their little dog died after getting a disease. Over the last few
years Sylvia had been instrumental in getting food from her Safeway where she
had worked 18 years for our different big lunch events. Our first Painting
Blitz Lunch saw over 300 people attend with Sylvia being the key to getting
hotdogs, buns, chips and free water.
I was totally shocked when I hear that Sylvia has been
terminated at Safeway for using her courtesy card for a customer. I was ready
to go head to head with her new manager who was purging the entire older
workforce that had seniority and power in the store. It was a tough six months
for her finding another job and not being able to collect unemployment because
of the way her manager fired her. Yet, through all of this Sylvia had an
incredible attitude that God would provide. She eventually gets a job at J.C.
Penny’s making about half of what she made at Safeway.
Sylvia has become the caretaker in her larger family. So she
has been there for her various ailing uncles, who have serious health
challenges. Yesterday as I am asking her if she can help drive to Slide Rock on
Saturday she lets out of the bag that she is considering donating her kidney
for her ex-husband’s daughter, Monica. I at first texted something sarcastic
like how much are you getting for your kidney on the black market. She quickly
calls and explains that Monica, who is 23, has renal failure and is on
dialysis. She turns out to be the only family member, even though Sylvia isn’t
related to Monica that is willing to offer a kidney.
The same day we take a large group of our youth to Pecos
Pool to start off our summer program. I end up being able to get the real scoop
from her daughter, Andee who is 16. Yeah, this is serious and if Sylvia doesn’t
do this there might not be much hope for this young lady. I could tell as I
talked with Andee that she was proud of her mom for attempting to see if she is
a match but also scared about what could happen to her.
So here’s the scoop Sylvia has had the year from ‘hell’ and
is broke, under-employed and now is considering this surgical procedure that
will require her to not work for at least 6-8 weeks. Who in their right mind
would do this? Yet, I know that my friend, Sylvia is the one who would step up
and give up one of her kidneys regardless of the cost to her and her family. So
now I face an amazing opportunity to ask my larger circle of friends to
consider giving to help cover Sylvia’s living expense for the couple of months
she is not able to work. Yes the hospital will cover the cost of the surgery
and the expense of living in LA for a few weeks before returning home.
It is in times like this that I confess to my poor
stewardship in life. I wish I had the means to totally cover her living
expenses for a couple of months. My personal goal is to cover her car payment
for the months she is unable to pay. My hope is to raise $5,000 to cover her
household expenses and at least be even when she goes back to a job that still
doesn’t meet her real needs.
I know that my Father in heaven owns the cattle on a
thousand hills and is far above the financial institutions which too many of us
put our faith and trust in while ignoring God’s faithful promises. I’m hoping
that as I reach back to a few friends, churches and business that we can raise
$5K. Please contact me if you are interested in helping Sylvia. (480-236-1400
newcityphoenix@mac.com)
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