“One month ago, today, I drove my husband, Peter to the ER at Jupiter Medical Center. For two days, he was suffering with excruciating back spasms that we couldn't resolve at home. As his bed was being wheeled to an ER room, I overheard staff members whispering his name in bewilderment.

Blood tests and a CT scan were done immediately. Soon afterward, two doctors and a nurse quietly slipped into Peter's room and one of them kneeled by his bed. It was in that surreal moment I realized something was very wrong, but I never imagined it would be the "c" word.” ~Helena Mariades, 5/18/18

That day was a day that many of you have had. A call. A siren. A talk with a doctor. It happened to me too.

I know Peter Mariades. I know his wife, Helena, too.

Peter’s kidneys and liver were failing. He’d lost weight and muscle mass. His skin had grayed. He’d broken his sternum and spine. A bone marrow sample was taken. Diagnosis: Multiple Myeloma, a rare blood cancer.

Until his diagnosis, Peter Mariades, ThD, MDiv has been the Director of Pastoral Care and Chaplain at Jupiter Medical Center in Jupiter, Florida. He has been on staff there for five years.

He has been instrumental in the development of a hospital-wide Pastoral Care program aimed at providing support to patients during a time of crisis, when physical and mental changes are at work and when the patient is in shock.

A fit and muscular man in his prime, Peter’s illness has left him too in shock. He has lost more than 20 pounds and has undergone several chemo treatments and is responding well. However, he must still have a bone marrow transplant and further chemotherapy.

Rev. Mariades, a highly visible chaplain has personally provided comfort, prayed with hundreds, meeting their spiritual needs, until discharge or even until death’s door opened. For many patients, this has been their first and only experience with prayer and a chaplain. http://kellyjadon.com/blog/2014/10/23/jupiter-medical-center-a-model-for-pastoral-care

It will be several months before Peter is able to return to work. His paid leave of absence at Jupiter Medical Center will be ending shortly; the cut off also means a loss of insurance benefits. His health insurance will run out and $100,000 in funds must be raised as the cost is beyond Peter and Helena’s savings and income.

The former Executive Administrator of Christ for All Nations’ United States operations, Peter has also been Patient Manager/Chaplain to Dr. Chauncey Crandall (Cardiologist), and a pastor at Christ Fellowship in Palm Beach Gardens.

Personally, I have seen the work that Peter has done reaching many. My husband and I have chosen to support Peter during this time in his life. It is crucial and expected by God that the church to support her own people during times of affliction. It doesn’t take much. Many hands make for light work. Please give what you can to help a brother and a sister. They need the church body today.

“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” Galatians 6:10

Support Peter here at Go Fund Me.

Please share.

Contact Kelly Jadon at: kfjadon@gmail.com

Imagine retiring only to go to work full-time for the Lord. A dream come true for Jeff and Paula Grossmann, who serve year round in the Treasure Coast Area for Samaritan’s Purse program Operation Christmas Child.

Coordinating a grassroots team of 32 called-ministry partners, the Grossmanns overseemedia communications, community outreach, church relations, logistics (semi-trucks, etc..) and prayer ministries connected with Operation Christmas Child.

Encompassing St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties, the grassroots effort is growing; there are more than 200 participating churches as God prepares and opens doors to more. Last year this Treasure Coast Area collected 20,000 gift-filled boxes; the goal for 2017 is 25,000.

The Grossmanns, married for more than 50 years, work January through June with a light schedule, but in season, July through November, they each easily put in 40 hours a week. Paula has been involved in Operation Christmas Child for more than ten years; she began by packing a shoebox. Paula was also chosen to travel to Uganda, Africa, to a women’s prison, to see the Gospel presented to inmates and gift boxes received by their children.

Jeff is partially retired from his own business, Grossmann Air Conditioning. He and his wife, Paula, have been Morningside Church members for 14 years. They have received Christian leadership training and are equipped and supported by Samaritan’s Purse staff in Orlando. Together the two make a dynamic team.

Did you know that when you pack a box that nothing ever is removed from it? This is called the “integrity of the box,” Jeff Grossmann states. After you fill a gift box and pray for the receiver, the box is collected at a collection site. From there it is transported with other boxes to central drop offs to be loaded into semi-trucks. The trucks travel to eight major processing centers across the United States. Florida boxes are received into a mammoth building in Atlanta where they are individually checked by 300 called-ministry partners and then placed into cargo containers for sea route shipping overseas. At times, some boxes will be placed aboard a plane if the receiving country has a limited time window.

Overseas, in more than 100 countries, children ages two to 14 receive the gift-filled boxes from trained Operation Christmas Child nationals. Many of the children are in need, living in poverty, orphanages, and refugee camps. These children are also invited to participate in The Greatest Journey discipleship program, where they will have an opportunity to meet Jesus and receive Him. “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” (Matt 19:14) Each day thousands of children come to know the Lord through this program.

This year Samaritan’s Purse is introducing a new type of box which may be used for gift-packing. It is a durable plastic box, decorated with the Operation Christmas Child logo and colors, now made available at Hobby Lobby. This box itself is a gift.

It is a blessing and an honor to pack a box and send it.

Paula Grossmann says this, “Last year, Puerto Rico sent many boxes; this year, it is expected that none will come from the U.S. territory.” God is calling us to make up the shortage and then some. If you filled a shoebox last year, please consider filling two this year.

Other ways to pack boxes include organizing packing parties through a community organization or church.

Just as Apostle Paul sent out handkerchiefs, these shoeboxes represent the work and word of God going forth. Children will be won to the love of Christ.

Paula tells a story of a box packed just with socks. The box was received in India by a little boy who had burned feet. Because of his condition he was required to wear socks, but he had only one pair; his mother was constantly washing them. God knew what this boy needed.

Jeff Grossmann adds, “God is in control.”

The work of God goes where no one can go—into the hearts and minds of children and their parents, changing the world for the glory of God.

National Collection Week November 13-20

Drop Off Locations:

Port St. Lucie: Morningside Church, West
Fort Pierce: Indian River Presbyterian
Stuart: United Methodist on Kanner Highway
Okeechobee: First Baptist of Okeechobee
Loxahatchee: Oasis Church
Jupiter: Harvest Community Church
North Palm Beach: Lighthouse Church
West Palm Beach: Lakeside Presbyterian

Hometown Heroes