It turns out her spleen had split into two when she was hit by a car, forming two spleens, and one of them was in horrific shape and starting to die inside her. This, compounded with a very severe urinary tract infection which is common for paralyzed dogs, and a liver issue, left her literally overnight in a state where she was likely to die.
Mercy in hospital when I went to visit her |
By God’s grace alone, and thanks to several wonderful vets and vet staff, she is now slowly on the mend. Her vet care so far has cost over $6000, while more vet care will be needed as she recovers.
And while I have never felt led in any way to spend that enormous an amount of money on a dog considering Walk by Faith Ministry’s primary mission is to share the Gospel while ministering the Lord’s love to a world in need, which includes a combo of evangelism, preaching, teaching the Bible, streets & beach ministry, writing and publishing, mentoring, ministering one-one-one to people in exceeding need, and caring for 17 mostly special needs and senior rescued dogs, and operates on a bare-bones budget, I felt very strongly led by the Lord to go forth with the surgery despite the vet’s concerns and to trust God regarding her surgery, the funding, and what He will do through all this.
When Mercy came home from the hospital, she crawled off the bed I set up for her so she could snuggle up with paralyzed dog Mr. Simeon |
I have had a strong sense all along that as with every aspect of Walk by Faith Ministry, Miss Mercy’s medical needs and care isn’t ultimately about a dog – no matter how much I love this precious dog. It’s about the Lord, and I can only hope, trust, pray, and believe He will bring glory to His name through all this.
Amazing how God brought these two paralyzed dogs and 15 other mostly special needs and senior rescued dogs into my life. He knew before He even sent these two to me what a bond they would form . . . |
As I see on an ongoing basis, as I ever aspire to bring Him glory by learning to humble myself and loving and serving the Lord and ministering to those in need, every opportunity I have – whether it be caring for paralyzed and other special needs and senior rescued dogs, helping a homeless person, praying for a rape survivor, writing a new book, encouraging someone in the Lord on the beach, whatever it is – is an opportunity to help to tell the world about the glory of the Lord. Even as I rush around to vets’ offices, or shop for ministry supplies, or walk the beach with the wheelchair dogs, or chat with homeless friends in a nearby city, wherever I go, whatever I am doing, no matter what the reason might appear on the surface for me to be there, I seek with my heart and eyes to look for opportunities to help the world around me by sharing the Gospel and helping people to live their lives for the Lord.
Standing in faith that one of these days if it’s the Lord’s will Miss Mercy will be back on her mission with me to do beach ministry to tell the world about the Lord Jesus Christ! |
When I first got Miss Mercy out of the shelter, she was in horrific pain from being hit by a car. Two reputable vets were adamant she needed to be euthanized. I prayed, and God told me to keep her alive. She has until this recent illness led an incredible, joyful life, and brought untold inspiration and joy to countless people with whom she has come in contact – including as she strolls down the beach in her wheelchair with paralyzed dog Mr. Simeon in his wheelchair as I do “beach ministry”.
Miss Mercy’s first miracle was when she survived being hit by a car. Her second miracle was when she was pulled from the shelter to avoid euthanization. Her third miracle was when her pain disappeared and she thoroughly enjoyed her life for several years. Her next miracle was when she survived a surgery that even her vet did not believe she would likely survive considering the horrible condition of her insides.
Please know I purposely am seeking donations above her vet bills so far both to create a budget for her ongoing vet care as well as to help provide funding for her 16 mostly special needs and senior rescued dogs siblings, many of whom require more care than the younger, healthier dogs! Any additional funds, if there were to be any, would go to Walk by Faith Ministry as a whole.
Walk by Faith Ministry is a 501c3 non-profit organization, and proof of IRS non-profit status is available upon request. Donation receipts are available upon request.
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