Marisa Vanderveen needs you. She needs you today while you wash the dishes or check the mail. She needs you when you tuck your kids into bed tonight and think of her kissing her three young children good night. She needs you when you look at your spouse and realize how thankful you are that they are healthy and well. She won’t take much time, I promise.
But…she needs you. She needs you to pray because she is fighting for her life.
Marisa plays many roles. She is a loving wife to Mendelt and mother to three small children. She is an amazing basketball player and can make a piano sing.
And Marisa has cancer.
If you missed it, and I hope you didn’t, her husband Mendelt wrote a letter to cancer on Easter in which he and Marisa served notice to her disease that because of Jesus Christ, their victory is already won. “Dear Cancer” is powerful, courageous and inspiring. If you have not read it, go do so now.
Then, as the every day moments of your life today ebb and flow pray for Marisa. She begins her third round of chemotherapy today. Pray that it will be effective and that her body be spared the violent side effects. Pray that her courage and faith will not wane. Pray for her husband. Pray for her kids. Forward this post to everyone on your e-mail list and ask them to do the same.
Let us all join our hearts today to pray for a miracle for Marisa.
Updated Post, 12-05-07 “Dear Cancer: This Is Not The End”
What a powerful letter. They will be in my prayers.
Suffering is all around us. Some of it we see, but much of it escapes our awareness. I believe we must be mindful that even what we don’t see exists. The Vanderveens are in my thoughts.
Wow! Thank you so much for this post on your blog!! We appreciate the prayers SO much. And your family is so beautiful!! Before this whole cancer thing started, Mendelt and I talked about possibly adopting kids from Haiti or Africa. Now to see your blog and your story and how you found our blog makes me wonder….. 🙂
Thanks again,
Peace and love,
Marisa
Marisa,
It is my honor. I have been receiving e-mails all day from people who have promised to begin praying for you.
We are in your corner!
Blessings,
Sherri
I’ll add it to the ol’ prayer list. This list gets so long.
Praying tonight for Marisa and her family.. Our Father is faithful-
That is a lovingly rendered, moving communication. She is in our prayers, she and her husband, and their children.
When my older brother was diagnosed with cancer, I had a realization one day that cancer should be afraid of him … not the other way around.
Thank you for this posting, it has already made a difference for her and her family.
Best,
firefly
Well said! “Because of Easter…” Cameron of Titanic notwithstanding, there will never be any bones of Christ found. He is alive and His Life overcomes! Praise be to Him!
Thanks for the link to this letter. I look forward to posting it on my site soon…
Befuddled by Grace,
Scott