Mandy and JJ

Some of you are familiar with the Back2Back staff couple who has been fighting cancer for about a year now. But if you are one of my Florida readers - I'll try to give you the background story on Mandy and JJ. They came on staff in Monterrey and served as house parents for lots of teenage orphan boys for 2 years after adopting two beautiful children from Columbia - Nico and Sofia. This past summer, JJ found out he had a super rare stage 4 jaw cancer. And no, JJ was never a smoker, chewing tobacco user or drinker. It just happened. Since July, they have been back and forth between the states and their foster boys in Mexico trying to deal with surgeries, radiation, infections, financial woes and all that goes with the realities of having cancer (something my family is all too familiar with). It is important to know that JJ has no health insurance but has been blessed by a surgeon who has offered his services for free and many others who have donated financially to their cause. By this past February, they were forced to make a decision to move back to the states for JJ's medical care. They had to leave their foster boys. They had to leave the location of their home, their passion, and this ministry that God has so clearly laid on their hearts.

The bible never says that believers will have things easy or easier or that their lives will be free of suffering now that they believe in God and follow Christ. In fact, the bible says the complete opposite. Yet when we see a believer who is close to us suffer and go through something so difficult - especially such an awesome person like JJ who just loves the Lord and to me is so obviously trying to bring God glory daily as he strives to show orphan teens to know how much God loves them - we often say, "wait a minute... something doesn't make sense here. This just can't be fair." I asked the same questions when my mom got cancer and was given a 30% chance to live. If I'm honest with you, after having the chance to see Mandy and have coffee with her this morning in Cincinnati, I shed several tears after I said goodbye to her as I asked God again, "Why? Why Mandy and JJ? Why did they have to leave Mexico? God you placed this on their hearts and what would I do if I suddenly had to leave my Douglas boys? How would I react?" On and on I went in prayer as I wrestled with the Lord. My heart hurt for them and overflowed with thankfulness for my own health and the blessing that it is for me to be able to live in Mexico full time. I am so thankful for my support team.

I share this for several reasons. First, I want to ask you to pray for Mandy and JJ and their family - both with them in the states and those who had to stay behind in Mexico. Pray that God would give them a peace to know that He is in control, His love is good, His ways are just, He is the Lord and passionately loves them. He created them for such a time as this. And that God will be glorified through them and their testimony. Second, for you to pray about whether or not God would lead you to support them financially and help JJ afford cancer treatment and surgeries as an uninsured individual. If you feel led to support them - please contact Back2Back's home office and ask how you can do so.

Mandy and JJ - I miss you both very much. Your Monterrey family is still battling in prayer for you.