Cancer Returns

This year on my 51st birthday, I received the report from my most recent biopsy tests. The doctors confirmed an area that shows cancer cells on one of the lymph nodes located in my mediastinum (area of the chest between the lungs).  We praise God for the good news about two other tests on my esophagus and liver, both were cancer free. I’m not writing this blog on my behalf because I am clearly one of the most blessed men on earth.   I have been saved and redeemed by my precious Jesus and have been refined, restored and refreshed by the body of Christ.  If the tears that I am crying right now were for myself, I would be one of the most selfish men on earth.

We continue to see the goodness of God in ways that are too wonderful to describe.  The blessing of my wife and children, my family, and my church are remarkable reminders of God’s grace; however, the coming battle I face will be one of the most challenging seasons of my life.

Today H.I.S. BridgeBuilders continues to focus on reaching more people for God’s Kingdom, we are seeing amazing opportunities to expand His work into other cities both nationally and globally. I give thanks for the fruit the Lord is providing for our ministry, to multiply the harvest of changed lives.  If ever I were to beg for your help, it would be now.  We believe God that by His stripes, I am healed, and we are already praising Him for this miracle.

It is the provision and protection of the poor orphans and widows that God has placed in my care.  So many of you tell me of your love, and I simply ask that you express it the same way Jesus asked of Peter…if you love me, feed my sheep.  If you love me, tend my sheep.  They are freezing to death in Romania, starving in Africa, unemployed and without hope in the streets of our country, yet there is Hope In Salvation.

This journey will demand much of my focus.  We are praying now about treatments that may include chemotherapy and radiation over the next three months. Below is a link to a short video statement from me. I ask, with all of my heart, for you to join me in this season of great need by becoming a Bridge Builder…

1.    Pray – join our team of prayer warriors and commit to pray for us daily. (manderwald@hisbb.org)

2.     Mentor – In the city of Dallas, the need is 150 people (lfechner@hisbb.org)

3.     Give Financially – towards our $35,000 monthly need. (https://www.hisbridgebuilders.org/Donate/Donations.php)

I have spent much of my time these past twenty years in ministry asking for your help, but never have I needed you more than now.  This season of my decreasing is your invitation from God to join in a work of God that will change your life forever.

For my 51st birthday this Friday, I have prayed about how I might thank God for the gift of another day.  Throughout my thirty two month battle with lung cancer, I have been blessed beyond measure by God’s goodness and grace.  My family has experienced a deeper and richer walk with God and His purpose for our lives.  Daily, we see Him using the H.I.S. Bridgebuilders ministry, here and abroad, to connect what has been separated by the world and reconciling it all for the glory of God.

Last week, my test results showed areas of serious concern in my lymph nodes, esophagus and liver. I am reminded, once again, that we do not even know what tomorrow will hold.  Our temporal life here is like a mist that appears for a little while and then vanished.  So, in this, I seek God’s will (James 4:14-15).

After just returning from serving in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya, my thoughts are on the children that we met that are starving…starving for food; starving to be loved; starving for hope; starving to know Jesus Christ.  So many there are either battling AIDS or battling the outcome of AIDS.  There are over 1 million children orphaned there as a result.  Many die each year simply because they don’t have water to drink.  Trash and sewage fill the slums that they call home.  Just for a minute, close your eyes and imagine with me.  Imagine 1 million people living on top of each other in 1 square mile.  Imagine 1 toilet for every 400 people.  Imagine men, women and children rummaging through the refuse searching for something to eat.  Imagine they are your children.  Then, would you do something?

I have never seen such poverty before in my life.  We are not to ignore the blight of these precious children of God. In 1 John, we are told that if we have material things and see our brothers in need and have not pity on them, how can the love of God be in us?  It goes on to tell us to love through our actions and not with our words.

My birthday gift this year will be a gift to this fund, so that “the least of these” may live and one day be able to know Christ and to make Him known to others.  Please join me in giving what you can.

Click here to donate online.

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