🧡 Deanna’s Journey to Health

We’re back in Canada because Deanna was diagnosed with serious cancer. Within 12 hours of landing, Deanna had already seen our family doctor. Tomorrow (Monday), we meet again for a second consultation.

We prayed, sought counsel, and felt led to seek treatment here.

Because healing isn’t just medical.
It’s also spiritual.
Emotional.
Relational.

We need our people.

👉 To receive updates about Deanna’s Journey to Health, email rick.bergen@xtrememercy.com or WhatsApp me at +55 94 99271-2929.

🚣‍♀️ A Stormy Sea

Galatians 5:22–23

Deanna has spent her life pouring herself out for others—with steady love, quiet wisdom, and the kind of strength that holds communities together. For years, she was like a freight ship: strong, steady, carrying others through life’s choppy waters. She could take on heavy loads, navigate turbulent storms, and press forward with resolve.

But seasons change.

Recently, she tried to describe her experience.

“I used to feel like a freight ship plowing through stormy seas to help others. Now I feel like I’m in a tiny rowboat, caught in a giant storm.”

That’s what a cancer diagnosis can feel like.
Not weakness—but a shift.
Not defeat—but disorientation.
When the sea is too wide, and the sky too dark, even the strongest need someone to climb in the boat with them—to hold the oars, to pray, to hope, to just be.

This is one of those times.

Now Deanna needs something sacred from her people.

🍓 A Fruit Salad

She needs the fruit of the Spirit, not pressure or opinion.

What helps her now is a healing, holy mix of:

• Love that reassures

• Joy that lifts

• Peace that calms

• Patience that gives space

• Kindness that listens

• Goodness that overflows

• Faithfulness that stays

• Gentleness that protects

• Self-control that knows when to pause

📝 Before you send that message or say those words, ask yourself:
“Is this encouragement—or anxiety in disguise?”
“Is this helpful fruit—or is it my own unresolved chaos?”

💌 A Gentle Request

Before you talk to Deanna, please take a moment to be aware of your personal reactions and feelings. If you feel anxious or burdened about her diagnosis, please send me (Rick) your health tips, advice, or links—not to Deanna, who reads all our shared emails.

Here’s how:

• 📧 ritcber@mail.regent.edu

• 📲 WhatsApp: +55 94 99271-2929

• Facebook Messenger

Let’s be people who:

• Lift, not load

• Comfort, not confuse

• Pray, not pressure

📖 The Sermon on the Mount – A Sacred Structure

• Starts with identity: Beatitudes, Salt & Light

• Moves to relational wisdom: Love > Law

• Centers on prayer (Matt 6:9–13):

  “Give us today our daily bread…”
  “Forgive us…”

• Ends with discernment:

  Wise living, bearing fruit, building on the Rock

🙏 Prayer Points

• Deanna – complete healing, peace, and clarity

• Us as a couple – strength and clarity for this season

• You – let us know how we can pray for you

📬 Just hit Reply and share your request.

We joined a worship service with a new church plant during our layover.

A quiet early morning stroll through Steve & Elba’s neighborhood before the long flight home.

Clenildo grilled tambaqui for breakfast. Angelita made fried eggs, salad, and strong coffee. A meal full of love.

🕊️ Final Blessing

When we come close to someone who’s hurting,
Let’s carry the fruit of the Spirit.

Let’s
Bear fruit that’s prayerful,
Be people who bring peace,
Give help that is helpful.

May this be your best week yet.
We’re praying you encounter God’s abundance in fresh ways.

With gratitude,
Rick & Deanna

🧭 How to Walk With Us

👉 Get updates about Deanna’s Journey to Health
Email rick.bergen@xtrememercy.com
or message me at WhatsApp: +55 94 99271-2929

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