I feel in this month’s President’'s page the need to share some information that we have been praying about and discerning as a ministry. It is a very opportune time to address this as I let you know the struggles of my Son-In-Law, Donald McGlothen and his wife, my daughter Roxanne and their children.

Donald and Roxanne met about 20 years ago as she was left alone to raise her three children. They became very good friends and whenever Rocky would have a problem, like her car breaking down he was there to help her. One day on a very hot Arizona day her car broke down and she had her children in the car he picked her up and took her to his mom’'s house to cool off so he could go back and get her car running. He owned his own business and had a big pump truck he was driving that day. Rocky and the kids went to the house; however, Heather dallied to play in back of the tire. Donald did not see her and backed up. My daughter called me and told me that Heather was in heaven with her sister (my daughter that drowned when she was four years old) Monica.

This tragedy brought them together in a very unique situation and that friendship grew to a love that will span eternity. Eventually they got married, had a son Jonathan and lived a quiet life with Donald working and Rocky staying home to take care of the children.

About six years ago he got a spot on his back. It broke open and was diagnosed as skin cancer; however, it kept growing. As the years went on it went inside the body and aggressively ate the flesh of his body. Chemo was tried, slowed it but when it stopped the cancer got more aggressive, same with Radiation and all other methods tried. Donald’s primary doctor was the head on oncology at UMC and they did not know what this cancer was and there was no cure. As they were trying everything known to medical science Dr. Cramer made the comment that there always has to be a first and I’'m sorry you are the first for this cancer. This made the struggle harder knowing there was no cure, handling the amputation of his arm and finding cancer in the whole arm and bones. Later a new pill was tried that really seemed it was going to work but that lasted only about six months and quit working. They took out some more bones around the ribs and shoulder to try to alleviate the tremendous pain he was in.

Finally there is no more hope and my daughter had to tell him that he was going to die.

They had all these years to share a love and accept all that the medical profession could give them as well as cooperating with them for anything necessary to help them find out what this cancer is. Roxanne never let Donald go to hospice, she cared for himself. She has been told she is better than the nurses in dealing with all the open wounds he had but she was by his side all the time as well as Monica, her daughter being the strength when she needed it and Jonathan standing strong for all of them.

Donald went to eternal rest on Sunday, July 27th with the prayers of his family, this ministry and all those that knew and loved him. Donald is not alone as we were praying for another gentleman that was in hospice with a flesh eating cancer as well and he went to eternal rest one week prior to Donald.

I am sharing this story because we all need to look at the times we are living in. This is a flesh eating cancer that there is no cure for. Our food has so many un-natural preservatives, chemicals, and other ingredients that our body cannot process as well as so much sugar that it is ruining our health. That is not counting the pesticides, the hormones and all the other “stuff” used to increase the plant and animal growth and of course look at the size of our children and the weight problems we have. You wouldn't’ put a banana in a gas tank so why are we putting all these chemicals in our body?

Many times loved ones give their lives, inadvertently, for medical advancement which benefits all of us in the future. This sacrifice may be one of their "purposes" accomplished, a job well done.

Coming together to mourn for ourselves the loss of our loved one and to rejoice at his homecoming to God. This is the spiritual connection that enriches our souls and makes our Love stronger.

In a very special way we give thanks and prayers to our own Secretary, Val Rodriguez and Eric from Martinez Funeral Chapel, 2980 S. 6th Avenue, Tucson, Arizona for their help and support at this time.

As my daughter shared with those who have called, they had to live in poverty for six years to get the medicine they needed for Donald and these awesome people came forward to help.

 I would like to direct you to a web site that will give you additional information on the times we are living in which is www.spiritdaily.com as well as Michael Brown’s new book “The Tower of Light” which most of us in the ministry as well as Deacons and other prayer ministers have already read.

As people wonder about the “chastisement” we have to ask: What are we doing about it? Are we condoning abortion or worse cloning? We have questions to ask ourselves in this time we are living in. We have to stay prayerful, persevere and listen to what the heavenly court is telling us.

God Bless You.

Gayle