09 September TODAY Newsletter

September 2009Today Newsletter6

Love God

Editor’s Note: David and Cherry McFadden talk about the blessing of a Stephen Minister in their lives.

David: For many years I worked for the Fresno County Department of Agriculture as a wildlife biologist and spent my entire career chasing wild animals. Whenever a rancher had a problem with coyotes, bobcats, black bears, raccoons, red foxes, grey foxes, beavers, wild hogs – whatever the animal – I was the county trapper. That’s what I did from sun up to sun down, 12 months of the year, and I loved my work.

I retired in the beginning of 2008 due to an injury at work. Right after that I experienced a traumatic brain injury that eventually left me comatose for about a month.

After working alone for years in the hills, I found myself stuck at home.

Through the long road of recovery (which I’m still in), I hit a point where I was suicidal, ready to take my own life.

Che r r y : I w a s de s p e r a t e a nd didn’t know what to do for him. An

occupational therapist told me Dave needed to go through the grieving process because of what had happened. He didn’t need a counselor but someone to be there, someone for him to talk to.

I called the church and talked with Pastor Pete Gavrilis who suggested Dave meet with a Stephen Minister. Pastor Ferral Henderson set Dave up to meet with a Stephen Minister named Bill. This was an answer to my prayers.

David: Bill was sent to me from God directly. He’s the kindest, gentlest man and gives of himself so freely. He comes every Friday without fail, and he talks to me as a friend.

Bill has shown me what a Christian man can do when he dedicates himself to another Christian. He’s not a counselor, but he listens. I’ve asked him some philosophical questions like, “Why me, Bill?” He says, “Dave, I don’t know. But I do know that God is involved in this; He has a purpose in this and you need to persevere. God will be there for you everyday and help you through this.”

I look forward to Bill’s coming; it’s a highlight of my week. Most of the time we talk about ordinary things. Bill is now a family friend.

At first he did the praying. Now he’ll say, “Dave, do you want to pray or do you want me to pray?” Prayer is our common bond.

I look what Bill did and how much it meant to me when I had a need. And because of this experience, I’ve even considered being a Stephen Minister at some point in the future.

God provided a man who has been totally unselfish in giving of himself to disciple me. This is the hand of God in our lives. God has used Bill to save my life.

Discipleshipby David and Cherry McFadden