The voice on the other end of the phone was chipper and alert. It gave the impression of a woman filled with the sparkle of Gods love. Her name was Nelly.
I was calling in response to an e-mail message to Rock Cancer C.A.R.E. asking for assistance. Nelly is in her late seventies and has been receiving chemo once a week for lung cancer.
Well, I could really use a ride back from my chemo treatments, Nelly told me, sounding slightly out of breath. I could hear an echo of footsteps.
Nelly only wanted rides back from her chemo treatment because she said she just felt to awful after the treatment to take the three bus rides it took her to get home again. I told her Rock Cancer C.A.R.E. could get her rides to her treatment as well as home and her response was, Oh, no, you can give that to someone who really needs it. Im fine with taking the bus rides to get there.
I couldnt help at that point asking, Nelly, what are you doing? She responded, Oh, Im walking to the market to get food.
I immediately told her that Rock Cancer C.A.R.E. offers assistance with food shopping or transportation to the store.
No she said. I have to keep on going or Ill stop and never get started again!
In a follow up conversation, we were talking about faith in God in this process of the cancer treatment she was going through. She whole-heartedly believes in God but said she had never been baptized. I asked her if she would like to be baptized.
Oh my, isnt it too late? How would I ever do it? she asked.
Never to late! I responded. Remember, God can do anything!
Pastor Mickey Stonier from the Rock Church offered to come to Nellys home. In December Rock Cancer C.A.R.E. volunteers were there to support her in this beautiful experience. She was delighted! We presented her with a few little gifts in celebration of this wonderful event and she was very moved.
Pastor Mickey told her if it is Gods will, when she is feeling better she can join Rock Cancer C.A.R.E., share her testimony, and help bring other people to Christ.
Nelly smiled and said, Id love to.
