Overwhelmed with Thankfulness!

This is a followup our story with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. This is a letter of thanks for all those who have supported us with their prayers and gifts.

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:3-6)

When it was suggested that we have a Spaghetti Benefit Dinner to raise funds to pay the medical costs associated with treating my four children with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), I’ll admit I had my doubts that it would be worth the effort. But, even a few hundred or, God-willing, a thousand dollars would help. There were similar doubts as the congregation and committee struggled with the details of the event and after initial ticket sales were lacking.

And then donations started. Before a single plate of spaghetti had been served, the gifts received exceeded our highest expectations. We had already reached the goal for the Thrivent match. And then, the event served one hundred and forty people with $1,900 in ticket sales. And the donations keep coming! To date we estimate total receipts of $12,000 (includes the Thrivent match.) Thanks be to God!

Because of your kindness, we will be able to repay outstanding medical bills from years’ past, cover this year’s costs, and even set aside funds for next year. There are no suitable words to express the depth of our thankfulness for your generosity! There are so many people I would like to thank. You’ll have to forgive me if I neglect to thank you personally. To the congregation, to the committee, and to all fellow saints here and around the country—thank you!

Every day I’ve been waking up with a prayer and song of thanks for the extraordinary love you have shown to us. The Holy Trinity has given you a spirit of generosity that defied our hopes. We, the Gillespie family, want to thank you for your generous support. We are overwhelmed by your love. We rejoice and give thanks to God for the amazing providence He has worked through you!

+Pastor Gillespie, Anne, and family