The ARDS Foundation - Body, Mind, & Spirit

By Pastor Ian

This Way

April heralds the arrival of spring in North America, and we are blessed to see the grass become green again and the leaves return to the trees. It is a time of renewal of life seen in the arrival of lambs, and the nesting of the birds. Our world seems to take a deep breath, and birth new life wherever we may look. As God’s creation, we are a key part of this place we call home; a place that can be the proverbial ‘Paradise on Earth,’ if only we will live and act as we are called to do. For those of us who receive the ARDS Newsletter and who have read this article, we are probably already committed to taking action and being compassionate in our own individual ways. I encourage you to continue to be supportive of the ARDS Foundation, both in prayer; in informing others, and also through making financial donations. Working together we can and will make a difference.

STRANGER THAN FICTION?

A young mom of two children was visiting a shopping mall, picking up some items for her mom who is disabled and on oxygen 24/7. She came across a discarded piece of printed paper that caught her eye, and when she returned home, she mentioned it casually to mom. Time passed, and a number of day’s later mom was at her respiratory specialist for tests and checks. She said to her specialist, “my daughter came across the name of a group called: Ontario East Transplant Support Group. It reminded me that I would really like to talk with someone about lung transplantation, as I have many questions about the process.” The specialist said that she might have just the right person who could assist, and to bear with her while she made contact with the request.

Last week while I was out, a message was left on my answering machine. It came from my respiratory specialist’s office asking me if I would be able to speak with a lady who was waiting for tests to assess her suitability for lung transplant. I called back and suggested that they give her my phone number asking her to contact me when she felt ready to do so.

Later ‘mom’ received a call from the specialist’s office confirming that someone who could provide mentoring and information was prepared to speak with her. She contacted her daughter to give her the news, telling her that a person from The Ontario East Transplant Support Group was available to talk with her. On hearing these words her daughter quickly asked her: “Mom, what is the name of the person you will be speaking to?” “Oh,”came the reply, “his name is Pastor Ian.”    “Mom,” said the daughter, “remember I told you a few weeks ago that I found a piece of paper in the shopping mall? The name on that paper was Pastor Ian.”

The mission of OETSG, like The ARDS Foundation, is close to my heart, and I do what I can during our meetings to both provide, and receive support. I am delighted to say that I subsequently had a lovely visit with two ladies; a mom and her daughter, and that support and encouragement was provided for them in the same way that The ARDS Foundation mentors those who approach it seeking assistance.

A God-incidence perhaps, or just coincidence? You make up your own mind, but I know what I think and feel in my heart.

Pastor Ian.

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