Jojo England became a disciple more than 30 years ago and was well known in the RGV Church as a servant, creative artist, loving wife, and exceptional mother.

In mid January, Jojo contracted COVID-19 and her health began to spiral quickly. After two months in the hospital, and long battle in the ICU, Jojo passed away on March 3, 2021.

With the support of spiritual family, her husband and children are working to organize her memorial service and funeral and they are asking for financial assistance for the unexpected expenses. Your contributions are greatly appreciated.

Karol and her Mom

Hello Friends, we are asking for prayers and donations for Karol and her 83-year-old mom while Karol recovers from her stroke. She was denied short term disability due to a prior history of breast cancer and has no form of income until her long-term disability insurance starts in 6 months.

Please read this message from her daughter:

On January 16 my mom woke up to walk her elderly mother’s dog. Upon waking, she recalls feeling some numbness in her left arm but brushed it off as to sleeping funny. She had just recovered from COVID and had spent the last two days back at work. She was anxious to get back to her job as a social worker at Baylor hospital because she knew there were people there that needed her help and that was her calling. Karol is a giver and her relationship with Christ has only deepened that calling over the years. From working as a house cleaner so that she could be there when my sister and I got home from school, to working as a special education assistant, my mom has never stopped thinking about her role in helping others. But as she descended the staircase that Saturday morning, she knew something was not right. She reached out to her good friend Tracy after losing her balance and falling and scraping her knees and elbow and told her that she thought she might be having a stroke. As she waited for her friend Tracy to bring her to the hospital, her symptoms began to worsen quickly and she found herself unable to walk without falling. She quickly called 911 and was taken to Plano Presbyterian hospital by ambulance. At the hospital, her symptoms began to worsen and she could no longer feel the entire left side of her body and her speech became almost intelligible. My sister and I rushed to the hospital and sat with Tracy in our cars, feeling powerless and calling upon God for peace and healing. After running several tests, it was determined that Karol had suffered from a stroke. To make things more difficult, because of her still positive COVID test, no one was allowed to visit her.  Over the phone, I remember her slow and altered speech pleading with my sister and I to “Take... care... Granny.” Even in her own tragedy and pain, she was STILL thinking of others, her own mother.  My mother’s condition stabilized over the next couple of days and she was transferred to the rehabilitation center to begin PT and OT. She has expressed to me and my sister and friends that she knows the road ahead will be hard but she had said in a text to us:

I know this could be so much worse. Being here is awesome as I am surrounded by so many that love me and are praying and want to help. I have the most incredible friends that I would not have made it this far this year. My girls are the best part of me and I know this will shape them for the better. I am thankful to God for all this and so much more. So, on the hard days you can remind me. But know it is never far from my heart the gratitude I have for all of you and for the God that I knows loves me despite any circumstances.

Karol has never stopped giving and has advocated for so many people both professionally and personally, now it is our turn to give back and to take some of the financial stress of recovering from a major accident. She doesn’t want your pity, because she knows God is in control. However, the coming days will bring pain and discouragement and her friend and family want to be able to tell her that for once, “we got this”!  Your help will allow Karol to focus on healing her body and will take some of the financial stress off of her and her family as she is the primary caregiver for her elderly mother.  Thank you for taking the time to read this and if you aren’t able to give financially, God hears our prayers too! 

Love, Sarah

Thanks to generous ETF donors,

this need has been met!

Art Franklin is a 54-year-old brother in Christ who in 2003 was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. After his diagnosis, he and his family (wife Nora and two boys) moved from Atlanta to Statesboro GA to take care of his elderly Mother-In-Law. In 2014, Art’s condition progressed to where he now requires a wheelchair in order to be mobile. The reason we decided to start a private donation fund for Art is to raise money to acquire a wheelchair accessible van with adaptive controls which he can drive with just the use of his hands. In addition to giving him the freedom to be able to get around, an adaptive controls vehicle would also provide therapy by engaging motor functions and sharpening hand-eye coordination.

Despite the challenges Multiple Sclerosis has thrown at him, Art manages to remain a positive and encouraging inspiration to his family and friends. Art is known and well-loved by many and is a respected member of his community where he has been involved for many years. He grew up playing soccer in Florida and in 1985 he received a scholarship to play at Georgia Southern where he was a four-year Letterman. His talent then led him to play semi-professionally for the Arizona Cotton (USISL). Art has continued to follow his passion for soccer by coaching at Statesboro Highschool. He was also a Coach and Director for the Statesboro United Soccer Club.

Art’s passion for soccer is only surpassed by his love of God and his family. He ALWAYS makes time to serve others and offer friendship to those in need. Those that know him can attest that this selflessness has always been the hallmark of his character. That is why when we learned of this need it was a no-brainer to try to help this man who for so many years has given so much of himself.

We have set a goal of $30,000.00 in order to equip Art with a reliable mode of transportation that will enable him to have the freedom that we so often take for granted. We want to thank you in advance for contributing and for bringing this simple joy into Art’s life. God Bless!

Thanks to generous ETF donors,

this need has been met!

Six-year-old Ryder had a traumatic start. He was injured at birth and diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, HIE for short. Later, Ryder was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. When Ryder was eight hours old, he had his first seizure. At 24 hours old, he was transferred down to Joe DiMaggio children’s hospital, and when he got there they hooked him up to all of their machines, and he was in a constant seizure state. It took them three days to get him to come out of it. Ryder was sedated and on a few different medications trying to get the seizures under control. The right cocktail was found, and Ryder did not have any more seizures. When Ryder was discharged from the NICU, he was only on one seizure medication. Ryder’s levels of Keppra has increased over time and has allowed him to remain mostly seizure-free. Today he is a happy and extremely loved little boy. As a six-year-old Ryder receives physical therapy, occupational therapy, neurofeedback, and speech therapy provided through insurance and several therapies that are not covered by insurance. Many of the therapies that can help most him are not covered by insurance, so to give Ryder every opportunity to advance, his family is now trying to raise support for his care.  His family is super grateful for all of the emotional, physical and financial support they have received from family and friends. They could not do this alone. Any amount that could be contributed will be greatly appreciated.

Request: $5,000