Paula Wilson -Medical/Recovery Fund

Hi!  I'm Teresa Hellstrom.  I've been encouraged to set up a campaign for my mom, Paula Wilson.  Although, she would never ask for this, I know it would be a tremendous blessing to her if we could help with some of the costs she is facing.  She is a youth pastor in Madera, CA and one of the most selfless people I know.  She has been in ministry for many, many years and gives of herself constantly to love on and help others.  

Last July, I received one of those phone calls that make all time stand still...  My aunt was calling to tell me that my mom and my uncle were on their way to the hospital.  My mom was in Kansas, visiting family, when she went out on a short motorcycle ride with my uncle.  What was meant as an once-in-a-lifetime experience with her brother turned into a very much unforeseen, unfortunate motorcycle accident.  They hit a deer that darted out in front of them on a rural highway.  My uncle, despite his own injuries, helped my mom, with an obvious broken ankle, move out from the middle of the road and called for help.  (I know my uncle has struggled with feelings of guilt since the accident but I want to say that he is a hero in my eyes!)

Mom ended up having extensive surgery right after the accident to try to put her ankle back together.  She did everything she could to stay off her foot for the full 8 weeks and to recover well.  My husband and daughter even went down to help.  We kept on expecting her ankle to get better, but it was very evident around Christmas that there must still be a problem.  After much consulting on the behalf of her physician, it was determined that Mom needed another surgery.  The bones in her ankle weren't coming together correctly and there was still lots of bone fragments that needed to be cleaned out, as well as scar tissue and arthritis.

Today, May 16, Mom had this second surgery done in California!  We are thankful for the hope of healing that this surgery provides.  The plan is that my aunt will bring her up to Oregon to recover at our house for a month or so.  She has 2 weeks of vacation and 2 weeks of sick pay... that's it... so she's hoping that she will be well enough to return to work after that (although she will need to be off of her foot for at least 8 weeks).  

We are asking for your prayers and support for Mom as she faces this recovery again.  We believe that God has the power to heal!  We also believe that God calls us to reach out and help each other when there is a need.  There are many ways you can help!  She will need prayers, encouragement, financial and physical help.

Please pray for the youth ministry, which I know is heavy on Mom's heart.  Pray for peace of mind for Mom and for the volunteers that are standing in the gap for her.  We are very grateful to Fourth Street Church of God for all their support of Mom through both of these surgeries.

Please also be praying for finances.  We are thankful that she has insurance, but unfortunately, she has large co-pays with every visit, test, procedure, etc.  On a youth leader’s salary, this seems impossible... but we believe that nothing is impossible with God!

If you feel led to give, please know that the money will go to help pay for:
-medical expenses before, during, and after her surgery 
-travel and care needed
-possible financial assistance needed after the 4 wks of paid leave

I want to thank all of you in advance for your support of Mom.  Thank you for your prayers, thank you for your time, thank you for your encouragement, thank you for your help!!  We feel the love already!  

I know many of your lives have been touched by her.  Please share these moments!  I know they would bless her soul!

May God Bless You!!