#PrayingforthePapillons
15 May, 2015
In the summer of 2013, I signed up for the Racine 70.3 Ironman triathlon. I started training with a triathlon club called Strive, and we would swim, run, and bike together to prepare for the big day. A member of the club, Amy Papillon, was one of the most strikingly beautiful women I had ever met. She was very confident in her own skin and extremely sweet, and I remember instantly wanting to be friends with her.
Lonebehold, Amy found out I was a newly converted Christian and invited me to a Bible study, and it sparked an amazing friendship. Amy and her husband Drew both competed in the Ironman with me that year, finishing with incredible times. They're the perfect couple: God-fearing, friendly, and down-right adorable together! The fact they have the two CUTEST little boys on planet Earth is the icing on the cake.
Amy and Drew have been given a very distinct ministry: Drew was diagnosed with brain cancer three years back and given only a handful of years to live. Why do I call that a ministry? Unlike what 99% of the world's population would do in their situation, Amy and Drew have used the circumstance as a way to praise God. Yes, you heard that correctly - to PRAISE God. Instead of harboring anger towards Him, they've thanked Him for the small miracles He's been providing along the tough journey. They've continually used the situation to explain God's faithfulness and goodness, even in times of extreme difficulty and hardship.
Amy and Drew have served as an inspiration for literally thousands of people, and I thank God every day to know such an unbelievable duo. God is their rock, and they haven't been shaken once from the storm they're enduring.
Amy and Drew left for Reno, Nevada two weeks ago to undergo treatment for Drew, of which is extremely expensive. Amy has thoughtfully been providing updates along the way of stories, struggles, and praise reports. Even in the darkest time of their lives, they're praising God for His goodness.
Amy has told me time and time again God always provides. Here's a text I received from Amy on Wednesday, proving her point:
We met a couple here on Monday and the husband is going through cancer and is beating it with this treatment. He invented the zyto reader. We asked how they were able to pay for treatment and they said they are just able to bc they have been blessed. We talked to them for about 4 hours while Drew and Vaughn (the guy with cancer) got their IV treatments together. Turns out they are staying in the same condo complex as us too! Anyway, Vaughn finished his treatment today and they came and said bye to us before they left. Apparently on their way out they paid $10,000 of our bill! We're in shock and feel so undeserving of this amazing generosity! Praise the Lord! Isn't that crazy?!??
Amy and Drew are obviously going through a major struggle, but they aren't letting go of their faith. Instead, they're holding onto Him even tighter. He's providing every step of the way, just like the example above. He'll take care of them how He see's fit, and they know they have nothing to fear with a God so big watching over them.
I love you, Amy and Drew. Thank you for being the best role models I could ever need.
Follow Amy and Drew's journey here along with 1,000 others. They're pretty popular. :)
