"An unexpected gift, from an unexpected blessing, was used to top off our CBO offering due to someone’s faith in God and faithful service." Wanda Kay Critser - CBO 2017
That someone is Pauline Poor Bear, and the following a story about her journey of growing faith, generous giving, and glowing service. She has experienced what Paul shares in 2 Corinthians about giving cheerfully and receiving provision to abound in every good work. Christian Women Connection rejoices with Intercultural Chapel, Wanda Kay Critser, and Pauline Poor Bear. Pauline's story reminds us that giving in faith activates the promises of God in our scriptures. If we give from our heart cheerfully, God will bless abundantly.
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NIV)
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NIV)
Pauline Poor Bear is a Lakota grandmother, who loves Jesus and attends Intercultural Chapel. In December of 2017, she received a monetary gift from a woman whose mother she used to care for. During Advent, we had not reached our CBO goal of $400.00. After the first of the year, Pauline brought us the $100.00 so that we could reach our goal. You should have seen the big smile on her face. This was a first!
An unexpected gift, from an unexpected blessing was used to top off our CBO offering due to someone’s faith in God and faithful service.
An unexpected gift, from an unexpected blessing was used to top off our CBO offering due to someone’s faith in God and faithful service.
TODAY
Pauline Poor Bear, a year later after eye treatment as she gives out school supplies.
Back in June 2018, I wrote the Executive Director of Christian of Women Connection about one of our widowed Lakota grandmothers named Pauline Poor Bear. Pauline is my age-mate and has attended faithfully Intercultural Chapel during our tenure here in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. She volunteers to serve in many of our activities. I have found her invaluable in helping me cook for the children on Saturdays after they have had an hour of play and 45 minutes of Bible lessons. When it came time for cleaning the chapel facilities, she was right there beside me.
When Pauline came to me one day after she had gone to an optometrist to get her eyes checked since her vision was getting worse and worse, I was impressed to get involved. She told me that the optometrist said that he would not prescribe glasses until she had cataracts on her eyes removed.
Pauline shared with me about her financial state. Her only income is Social Security due to her years of work in caring for the elderly. At the time, she was receiving just over $500 a month. Since 2016, she took up residence in the chapel’s one-bedroom apartment and donates $200 a month for expenses. She has Medicare, but no Medicaid at that time. Together, we weren’t sure how she would pay for the cataract surgery. Nevertheless, she made an appointment at the Oregon Trail Eye Clinic for her first eye exam and date of surgery.
I reached out to Rev. Arnetta Bailey, the Executive Director of Christian Women Connection, explaining about Pauline’s situation and if somehow there were funds to help her. I had done an estimate of what had to be covered for the pre and post eye treatment, the surgery, and the estimated cost of glasses. Within a day, Rev. Arnetta replied that she had found some funds to help.
When Pauline came to me one day after she had gone to an optometrist to get her eyes checked since her vision was getting worse and worse, I was impressed to get involved. She told me that the optometrist said that he would not prescribe glasses until she had cataracts on her eyes removed.
Pauline shared with me about her financial state. Her only income is Social Security due to her years of work in caring for the elderly. At the time, she was receiving just over $500 a month. Since 2016, she took up residence in the chapel’s one-bedroom apartment and donates $200 a month for expenses. She has Medicare, but no Medicaid at that time. Together, we weren’t sure how she would pay for the cataract surgery. Nevertheless, she made an appointment at the Oregon Trail Eye Clinic for her first eye exam and date of surgery.
I reached out to Rev. Arnetta Bailey, the Executive Director of Christian Women Connection, explaining about Pauline’s situation and if somehow there were funds to help her. I had done an estimate of what had to be covered for the pre and post eye treatment, the surgery, and the estimated cost of glasses. Within a day, Rev. Arnetta replied that she had found some funds to help.
Upon her first appointment after her surgeries, the doctor noticed bleeding in her eyes. He asked her if she had diabetes. Her response was negative. He then asked when she had last seen her primary care doctor. Pauline admitted that she did not have a primary care doctor. She had not been ill was her added response. He recommended that she get one immediately and be tested for diabetes.
Sure enough, the doctor found Pauline was diabetic and put her on a prescription. At her next eye appointment, she told the doctor about the diagnosis. He explained to her that her diabetes was the source of the bleeding vessels in her eyes. However, he informed her that there were two treatments that he would like to start to get the bleeding under control as much as possible: injections and laser. The former for life and the latter for some time, until the bleeding stops. She chose the latter.
Realizing that now there would be extra expenses for additional treatment, I insisted that she apply for Medicaid where she could get all the help she would need in paying her additional bills. She did immediately.
Since September 2018, Pauline has continued to get one of the treatments or the other in her eyes. She has yet to get glasses. She says she is waiting until she no longer needs the eye treatment.
What is the miracle in this journey? For several months Pauline used a magnifying glass to read scriptures in our Bible study classes, in time, she stopped using it and read normally. We made notice of that and gave God the praise.
When I asked Pauline recently what has been her spiritual attitude during this journey, she said that she has used prayer to help herself. When I inquired if she had blamed God for her eye problem, she replied that at first she had prayed for healing, but when God did not heal her, she wondered if He really cared.
I wanted to know what had changed her mind. She agreed with me that God is using the medical track for self-realization and necessary treatment. Before now, she had not understood what her health was like when she only sought glasses. At present, she is following the doctor’s orders.
On behalf of Pauline Poor Bear, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for the generosity shown to Pauline by the Christian Women Connection organization. God had loved her through your standing with her.
Submitted by
Mrs. Kay Critser
Missionary at Intercultural Chapel 2013-2019
Sure enough, the doctor found Pauline was diabetic and put her on a prescription. At her next eye appointment, she told the doctor about the diagnosis. He explained to her that her diabetes was the source of the bleeding vessels in her eyes. However, he informed her that there were two treatments that he would like to start to get the bleeding under control as much as possible: injections and laser. The former for life and the latter for some time, until the bleeding stops. She chose the latter.
Realizing that now there would be extra expenses for additional treatment, I insisted that she apply for Medicaid where she could get all the help she would need in paying her additional bills. She did immediately.
Since September 2018, Pauline has continued to get one of the treatments or the other in her eyes. She has yet to get glasses. She says she is waiting until she no longer needs the eye treatment.
What is the miracle in this journey? For several months Pauline used a magnifying glass to read scriptures in our Bible study classes, in time, she stopped using it and read normally. We made notice of that and gave God the praise.
When I asked Pauline recently what has been her spiritual attitude during this journey, she said that she has used prayer to help herself. When I inquired if she had blamed God for her eye problem, she replied that at first she had prayed for healing, but when God did not heal her, she wondered if He really cared.
I wanted to know what had changed her mind. She agreed with me that God is using the medical track for self-realization and necessary treatment. Before now, she had not understood what her health was like when she only sought glasses. At present, she is following the doctor’s orders.
On behalf of Pauline Poor Bear, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for the generosity shown to Pauline by the Christian Women Connection organization. God had loved her through your standing with her.
Submitted by
Mrs. Kay Critser
Missionary at Intercultural Chapel 2013-2019
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