"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
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)

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.
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.
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