An 81-year-old man was caught on a doorbell camera struggling to deliver lost luggage just to pay medical bills for his cancer-stricken wife. But the homeowner’s kind response changed their family forever.
The story unfolded in a Texas neighborhood where a local woman was checking her door camera one afternoon. “The other day, I looked out door cam and saw an 81-year-old man slowly and painstakingly carrying my heavy luggage that had been lost on a recent flight up a steep flight of stairs,” she explained. She could not just watch him struggle so she opened her door to offer help.
His name is Don Johnson and he has been married to his wife Josephine for 57 years. Josephine is fighting a very difficult battle with cancer right now.
Don decided to work delivering lost luggage just to pay her expensive medical bills. He drove his personal car over 200,000 miles over the past three years to make ends meet and his vehicle was naturally having major problems.
When she asked Don why he pushed himself to do such a physically demanding job his reply was brutally honest. “It’s the only job that will hire me.” Hearing that just absolutely broke my heart because no one should have to work that hard in their eighties to care for a sick spouse.
She quickly started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for the cancer treatments so Don could retire. The community responded with an overwhelming showing of kindness.
Over 10,000 people stepped up to donate and they ended up raising more than $661,000. God really uses our collective kindness to lift up the weary and provide for those in desperate need.
Don and Josephine felt deeply touched by this incredible support. “I think I’m going to be able to stop working, and that’s amazing,” Don shared. Josephine found new strength to fight her illness. “I can face it. I think that’s the big difference,” Josephine said.
She mentioned how much the spiritual support means to her right now. “Some have made comments and they’re praying for us. And it’s just, it’s a joyful feeling.”
Don and Josephine experienced the love of Jesus through thousands of people whom they never met.
This is not an isolated incident at all. Right now in America over 10 million older adults are living in poverty and millions of seniors are forced to keep working just to pay off crushing medical debt.
Dear brothers and sisters, may our hearts overflow with the love of God. We might not be able to solve the problems of the whole world but we can certainly bring a real change into at least a few people’s lives.
Way beyond our Sunday worship every single congregation needs to bring forth programs to share God’s love outside the church walls. We need small church groups out there actively helping people in their local communities.
As individuals we all have such great opportunities today whether it is using social media or simple fundraising campaigns to make a massive impact. Let us be the flame that lights up the darkness for someone else.
Please keep Josephine in your daily prayers as she continues her brave battle against cancer.
WATCH: 81-Year-Old Caught on Camera Working to Pay Wife’s Medical Bills Receives Massive Blessing
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