God's mercy, goodness, and provision

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21, NKJV).

“Don't be afraid, just believe.”—Jesus (Mark 5:36, NIV)

To every individual that our great God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has called into the family under His covering called Samaritan Ministries:

My heart is so full of love and praise for our beloved, almighty God that words will not correctly express the level of awe I have for this God we have given ourselves to.

My dear husband, Eddie, was rushed to the emergency room recently with a leg that had suddenly swollen to the size of a tree trunk. He presented to the emergency department with extreme deep vein thrombosis and had blood clots from groin to ankle in one of the main veins in his leg.

Between November 2, 2023, and January 8, 2024, we spent weeks in the hospital and more weeks in home health care for recovery. He needed specialists, surgeries, medications, and specialized medical equipment. While in the hospital, he picked up MRSA, which added even more to the delicate nature of his condition.

The possibility that I would emerge from this experience a widow was great. I determined at the beginning that I could either be anxious or I could choose to have faith in God, no matter what the outcome. I prayed for mercy. God answered me with an inexplicable peace. I chose to trust Him no matter what.

Being members of Samaritan Ministries since 2014 played a big part in that sense of peace: We know God through SMI. Through the ministry He has ministered to our family before in trying times, so I knew He would do it again. Never was the financial burden ours, and I knew that.

SMI has taught me well how to negotiate medical bills, so I confidently applied what I've learned and was able to reduce the overall cost of this event from over $500,000 to around $208,000.

Soon the Shares from brothers and sisters started pouring in! I applied them to every bill except the biggest bill, as that was still being negotiated. I was careful to go to the SMI checklist and mark every share "Received" as soon as it arrived. I wanted everyone to know as soon as I could that their gift and prayers had been received and so appreciated.

Incredibly, the hospital bill that was being negotiated started out at $494,376 and I had negotiated a 60 percent discount, bringing it to approximately $297,000. I was praising the Lord, but it turns out He wasn't quite done with that bill. The hospital took the bill back to do some continued adjusting, and when they issued me the updated amount due, the hospital bill had a ZERO BALANCE. A zero balance!

Amazed, I called to verify the amount, and was told that it had indeed been reduced to a balance due of $0.00. When I asked how that was possible, I was told that the determination was made by someone higher up (!), that this was to be attributed to “Charity.”

Charity! God's word for love. God canceled our sin debt at the cross of Christ, and He cancelled this debt as well. What love He has for His bride. What care He has toward us! The money allocated to pay the hospital bill can now be distributed to other Samaritan members who have Needs.

Eddie and I are greatly encouraged by our Samaritan Ministries family. We are all in this together, and Christ is the head of us and will always provide for His body. Please let our brothers and sisters know that their well wishes, their prayers, and their faithfulness in trusting God and sharing through Samaritan Ministries is an indescribable blessing to us, and a silencing rebuke to the enemy of our souls and of our God. Jesus prayed, “May they be one as We are One.” Thank you all for being part of our story.

Much love in Christ,

The Gallegos family

Samaritan Ministries members Eddie and Rebeca Gallegos live in Florida.