Where does my help really come from?

Hello dear friend!

We so appreciate all of the encouraging feedback from our last newsletter. Our desire is to have continual two way communication with you, so please feel welcome to respond with your comments, questions, encouragement, etc. As Paul writes in Romans 1:12, “that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” You have no idea what your encouragement does for us!

We briefly shared about Taylor in our last blog and would like to go into more detail with you today.

Joey and the mission team first came across Taylor and his family at the end of December 2022 (the last JPM mission of 2022). Taylor was sitting on a concrete slab on the side of the road among stray dogs, using a large nail as his “toy” (you can see it in the photo here). He was covered in dirt and scabs.

The first thing you'll likely notice about Taylor are his disfigured legs and feet. The next thing you’ll notice are his big beautiful brown eyes and curly blonde hair. 

Joey and the mission team were moved to help Taylor and his family. 

After purchasing a significant amount of food for the family, JPM contacted local missionaries: David and Heather Granada. The Granadas setup an appointment with a local doctor who brought a specialist from the island specifically to examine Taylor’s legs and ankles. This is where things take a turn for the worse…

(Pastor David Granada pictured above.)

Taylor’s mother did not bring him to the appointment. She began to lie and make excuses. We realized that she has no interest in getting Taylor help as he is more useful to her crippled than well.

She is trafficking her son by refusing him the care he needs to be able to walk one day so that she can get more money, food and handouts. We're all called to provide for our family, but not at the expense of our family. 

(Taylor's grandmother pictured above in pink). 

The next day, through the perseverance of Pastor David and Heather Granadas, Taylor made it to see the specialist! Praise God! The doctors said he is malnourished, battling infection and of course has a deformity in his legs.

JPM made a plan with the Granadas to oversee the costs and care for Taylor’s treatment; however, there are still major barriers between where Taylor is now and where he needs to be. His mother is mentally impaired. She herself is a victim of generational trafficking, so this is all she knows to do.

In early February, we received more updates of Taylor’s condition. While he was still covered in dirt and his filthy diaper was so full, his hair color was coming back and he was more mobile - “crawling with energy”! It makes me want to cry reading that. Knowing he could crawl, but finally with energy!

He was also able to pull himself up to stand. These were very encouraging milestones!

Unfortunately, his mother (Crystal, 18) is making this situation increasingly more difficult. Taylor received casts on his legs, but his mother has cut them off not once, but now twice! She says it is because he is in too much pain, but the doctors have explained to her that cutting them off is only prolonging the pain.

If she would let the casts do the work, then the pain of the casts adjusting his legs would lessen over time. We see that she understands her actions are giving her baby no hope to have a normal life or the ability to walk in the future.

As I sit here in Starbucks writing this newsletter, I am praying with open arms that Jesus would MOVE in the heart of this mother. That he would stir her so deeply to give baby Taylor to us. God has provided us everything we need to give him the care he needs to restore his legs and give him a chance at a normal, walking life.

I invite you to join me in that same prayer right now!

In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells a parable to encourage the disciples not to stop praying and not to lose heart. The parable ends with, “And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily…” (Luke 18:7-8).

This verse is such an encouragement that God is our help in time of need. He is inviting us to turn to Him. To cry out to Him! Don't be hopeless. Don't fall into despair. Let the Helper helpyou! Don't seek spiritual food in the fleeting places that will leave you hungry, angry, ashamed and disappointed. Turn to the One who can make you full and filled.

Thank you for partnering with us in prayer. Truly. "My help comes from the Lord..." (Psalm 121:2) reigns ever true! He is everything.

Joey has asked that we also pray specifically about a vehicle for JPM. We are looking for a 2016-2020 SUV.

Thank you for sharing in this partnership with us. Thank you for your prayers, your financial blessing, your talking with others about our work. This is all Kingdom work!

We love you! We are praying for you. As always, please share with us any way we can specifically be praying for you, your children, your work, your medical care, anything! Nothing is too great or small. 

May God bless you and keep you always,

Joey & Cathy