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12/3/2020 12:18:45 PM |
Hi Everybody, I just wanted to weigh in on this thread to share a few thoughts. What would we do without Mel? I don't even like to think about it. No one else out there offers the level of support and real solutions for this awful disease. Mel offers answers, support, and compassion (in his own way, of course). I've known Mel on a daily basis for four years. I've known him before he charged subscriptions. I've known him when he didn't know where his next meal was coming from...or how he was going to pay his rent...or how he was going to continue to find the physical and emotional energy to meet the demand he experiences every day of the year. I've watched him carefully, and here's what I've found. It doesn't matter what horrible place he may find himself in...accidents...surgeries...root canals...people being mad at him for whatever reason...lack of sleep...loud neighbors...being snowed in for weeks on end...or people calling him at all hours and waking him up. It doesn't matter. He promised God he'd do it, and by God nothing will stop him. He's the real deal. So...what does this mean for his lifestyle? Well...Mel doesn't have a retirement except for Social Security and it's not much. Apparently God was getting him ready for years and years to take on the momentous task of helping all of us, and all the illnesses, injuries, lack of mobility (he was in a wheelchair for quite some time, and / or had to use a walker...not now though) precluded any real long term career endeavors that would have provided a retirement. He worked...even when he had to limp around and hold onto chairs to wait tables or work in a rock quarry...he worked. Mel has the best work ethic of anyone I've ever met. But all the illnesses and injuries would regularly sideline him which inhibited any ability to focus on a single career. When Mel tells us he understands pain...believe him...he understands suffering. But he never gave up or gave in. He pushed himself through unrelenting strength of will and consistency to get well enough to take part in life again. He forged the way, and now he's the light bearer for all of us who come to him seeking help. In my opinion God has put him in the position to live by faith and with no other safety net (financially speaking). I've watched him live off almost nothing and not know how he will pay his bills...yet...somehow God always provides enough money (just barely) to keep him afloat. Luckily, Mel doesn't require much...but that still doesn't make it easy to live with such financial uncertainty. It's like God is leading him through it one day at a time and teaching him faith and service. How lucky are we that this guy is willing to do this for all of us? Mel is 75...yes...but there are still ways he could use his time to make money and not have to live on such financial shaky ground. But there is NO stopping him. He made a promise and he'll stick to it no matter what...no matter what...no matter what. I know it's not easy for Mel to post requests for financial assistance. I always hope he'll figure out a way to get on firmer ground and not have to be in this position. But the truth is...this is how Mel is able to stay here for us. He needs us to help him when we can. That's how he's able to be here for us. This will not be his last request for help. He didn't say this...I'm saying it. I'm saying it because it's logical and true. He needs us to help him continue doing what he does best...be a light in the dark for those who come desperately seeking after everything else has failed. What we need to do is to remember him with our gifts as often as possible. Let's not wait for Mel to have to humble himself to ask. Let's make it a habit to send him money throughout the year to take some of the pressure off of him. It doesn't have to be a lot...but if you can send something substantial then don't hesitate to do so. That will make more difference to this man than you will ever know. I send him money whenever I can, and I do it with a glad heart. I go to stores and am asked for donations. I tell them I already donate. Every dollar I would earmark for donation goes to Mel...because he is not a huge organization with fund raising committees. He is one 75 year old man who is doing the best he can to fulfill a promise he made to God. Believe me...I've watched him closely and checked his story for holes. There aren't any. Its a simple as that. He made a promise and by God he'll keep it. Thank God for Mel's hard headedness! Love, Karen | ||||||
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