The Simons Family

To know the Simons is to have a living example of self-sacrificial discipleship.

My heart aches that our friends have been struggling in silence to provide for basic needs since Meaghan’s health crisis began in October.

I regret not "getting in their business" months ago, but maybe it's for the best. Because at this point, you have probably been reading Meaghan's very raw and honest posts about her pain and suffering, and you have probably asked "what can I do?" "how can I help my friends?" On October 5th, I reached out to Meaghan and asked how I could help and she asked for prayer. "Whew!" I thought "That must mean that their needs are covered!" On January 11th I reached out again. This time, Meaghan asked if I could ship her some diapers from Amazon. Hold on....

Having a debilitated wife, newborn baby, and 8 other children at home, Dustin was forced to leave his job to take care of his family's day-to-day needs while providing ongoing wound care for Meaghan whose ulcers aren't healing and whose varicose veins in her pelvic region have left her mostly bedbound. So now, he is working more than a full-time job caring for his family, but without the earned income that financially supported his family a few months ago. The family of 11 has been living on Dustin's VA disability, alone. They have been selling anything they can to make ends meet, including welding equipment that Dustin had secured to start his business and the cow they were going to slaughter for food.

A couple of years ago, the Simons lived around the corner from me. When Meaghan had some pregnancy complications, I was able to visit, check in, and see what needs could be met. At that time, "help" included a meal train, a wheelchair, and a couple of special requests while she waited for her blood clots to dissolve to return to her duties as a homemaker and mom-to-many. The very real possibility that my friend and fellow big family mama could suffer an embolism brought me to my knees then. God answered those prayers for healing and we expect Him to do it again. But, our friends need some practical help while we wait for divine healing.

Why $30,000? Because the need is great. They are already behind on basic household bills, facing mounting medical bills and extensive travel (gas, lodging, childcare, etc.) for testing and medical procedures while keeping food on the table for 11 people until Meaghan can get back on her feet (literally) and Dustin can return to work. As a mom to a family of 9 myself, I can attest to the cost of food and basic necessities today. If you know the Simons, you know them to be extremely resourceful and frugal. There is no "fluff" in their budget to cut to weather this storm.

Full disclosure, I am going to reassess the situation with Meaghan in 3 months--April 15th--and consider asking you all to help again based on where they are at that point and what the road ahead looks like then. This initial amount is to help them catch up on past-due bills and cover travel expenses and basic needs over the next 3 months.

God answers prayer through inexplicable, divine miracles and/or through moving the hearts of His people here on Earth. I am creating this fundraiser praying that your heart is moved to help while we await divine healing. Can you give and/or share this fundraiser to help the Simons?

Thank you for considering how you might help.

Sincerely,

Alicia