Today is the day that Marisa starts chemotherapy through an IV at the Cancer Clinic. I told Marisa this morning that God is hearing her name hundreds of times this morning. Please help me make that statement true. Thanks again to all who wrote us, we source much strength from it.
Trying to take courage,
Love Mendelt
Life 
28 comments
Comments feed for this article
January 9, 2007 at 9:20 am
The Pols fam
Marisa and Mendelt,
You are in our thoughts and prayers in a special way today as you begin your chemo treatments. May God give you much strength, and may you know and believe that He is the only source of strength we have. In and of ourselves we are weak and helpless – from dust man was made and to dust he will return. But in Christ, we are made strong in our weaknesses!!
The sun is shining brilliantly this morning, may it bring you joy and a beautiful smile to your faces. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. 🙂
Be courageous in the Lord!
We Love You – Andrew, Cheryl and the boys
xoxo
January 9, 2007 at 9:34 am
Julia & Jon Van Huizen
Hi Marisa & Mendelt,
I just heard the news yesterday and my heart broke for you all. But I took courage in knowing you have many friends and family who love and support you – this in itself is a testament of God’s love. If you can feel and experience their love for you, just imagine the love He has for you.
Today as I was struggling with my own doubts and fears about stuff, I was reminded that “Nothing is impossible with God.” Nothing. He is the God of possibilities where there seems to be no possibilites. He is the God of hope, where there seems to be no hope. Nothing is impossible.
Jon and I will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
With love from,
Julia (Dam) Van Huizen
January 9, 2007 at 9:59 am
Susanne Wood
Dear Marisa and Mendelt and family,
Marisa, I am praying for you this morning. Right now as I type I am singing your name over and over again to God. I will pray for you, Mendelt, and your family continually.
Take courage. Take courage. Take courage.
Love and prayers,
Susanne (Vanderkooy), Daniel, Sember, Emma and Jayden Wood
Jesus says to you,
Come to me, Marisa and Mendelt, if you are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon yourselves and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you, Marisa and Mendelt, will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
(adapted from Matt. 11:28-39)
January 9, 2007 at 10:05 am
Klaas Hoekstra
Marisa,
You’re on our minds all day and althought you’ve heard it many times we won’t stop thinking about you and Mendelt and the kids. We’ll continue to hold you up in our prayers – hour to hour!
Let us know if you need anything.
Klaas
January 9, 2007 at 10:05 am
Nicole Baarda
Hi Marisa & Mendelt & family,
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. God will certainly be hearing Marisa’s name today.
God bless you and uphold you during this time.
Nicole (Ennis) Baarda & family (hubby Steve and kids Justin, Cameron, Adrienne, Dylan, and Hailey)
PS: Your blogspot is a great idea, for all to know what’s going on, and for you to be able to receive encouragement and support from all. 🙂
January 9, 2007 at 10:06 am
Robyn Bezuyen
We are a part of Providence CRC in Beamsville and prayed on Sunday for Marissa and the family. Your famlily has become one of our regular evening prayers. Also to let you know, whenever your name pops up, you are being prayed for. May today be the start of a healing journey for the body mind and soul for the entire family.
Terry Robyn Katryna Emily and Mackenzie Bezuyen
January 9, 2007 at 11:45 am
mendelt en willy tillema
Dear Melisa and Mendelt,
Keep on trying to take courage!!!
Again we wish you a lot of strenght after this first day with the chemotherapy!!!!
With words we try to “say” and let you know what we are feeling and hoping for you and your family.
Dear greetings for all of you and your family!
Mendelt en Willy Tillema.
January 9, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Madeleine Bonsma
At least 200 prayers were said for you this morning. God bless!
Madeleine
January 9, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Lani VanderVeen
Marisa & Mendelt,
I feel so strongly impressed on my spirit to tell you to CLAIM your VICTORY, your healing. It is your right as a child of the King. Jesus suffered and died to give you that right and priviledge. Marisa, you are a precious daughter of the Most high God. Remember that, and daily – out loud, with conviction – speak it out and claim it. Letting your ears hear what your heart believes is a very powerful thing. Our heavenly father always hears our silent prayers but the devil hears the spoken prayers. If one can put a thousand to flight and 2 can put ten thousand to flight, imagine what a whole army of praying saints can do! And that’s what you have, by the looks of things. A whole army. Remember:
When I call on Jesus, all things are possible
I can mount on wings as eagles and soar
When I call on Jesus, mountains are gonna move
‘Cause He’ll move heaven and earth
To come rescue me when I call.
Thinking of you, praying (and fighting) for you, and speaking LIFE and VICTORY over you,
Lani
January 9, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Lani VanderVeen
Marisa & Mendelt,
I feel so strongly impressed on my spirit to tell you to CLAIM your VICTORY, your healing. It is your right as a child of the King. Jesus suffered and died to give you that right and priviledge. Marisa, you are a precious daughter of the Most high God. Remember that, and daily – out loud, with conviction – speak it out and claim it. Letting your ears hear what your heart believes is a very powerful thing. Our heavenly father always hears our silent prayers but the devil hears the spoken prayers. If one can put a thousand to flight and 2 can put ten thousand to flight, imagine what a whole army of praying saints can do! And that’s what you have, by the looks of things. A whole army. Remember:
When I call on Jesus, all things are possible
I can mount on wings as eagles and soar
When I call on Jesus, mountains are gonna move
‘Cause He’ll move heaven and earth
To come rescue me when I call.
Thinking of you, praying (and fighting) for you, and speaking LIFE and VICTORY over you,
Lani
January 9, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Dick and Anky Tillema
Dear Marisa and Mendelt and beautiful kids,
Today we saw the email of Netty and then we knew it’s real true what Jan Gerzinus told Renske last saturday. W’re shocked and we hope you have the power and the strength to beat the cancer, Marisa.
With so many friends w’re saying take courage!
You and your family are in our mind and in our prayers.
With love and greetings,
Dick and Anky Tillema and children, Emmeloord, Holland
January 9, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Martha Groot
You better believe that God is hearing Marisa’s name loud and clear today!!! We are really praying for you both and your families…today and every day after.
We love you,
Martha and Steve
January 9, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Dan Werder
I did pray for strength for both of you this morning, and I also continue to pray that the side effects from the chemo are minimal.
January 9, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Cheryl and Clarence
We wish you both strength as Marisa starts chemo today. I am sure God heard her name thousands of time today by the entries I read. Thanks for all the updates. Marisa – Remember our Coffe Break theme F.R.O.G. Isn’t it great he is always there for us.
We pray daily for you, The Vanderhouts
January 9, 2007 at 1:46 pm
annette mitchell
Hi Mendelt and Marisa
I just wanted to let you know I am praying for you guys and my heart goes out to you as you go through all this. God is on your side!!
Karen sent me your blog and I’II keep up to date on how things are going with you all. If your ever in Brantford and can use my help let me know!
Love Annette and family
January 9, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Jenn
Dear Marisa and Mendelt,
You guys have been in my thoughts all day, more importantly in my prayers. Take courage today! May you find your strength in God.
Psalm 46:1; “God is our refuge and strength.”
-Marisa, as you have so many times “signed off” your emails to me –
peace and love,
Jenn
January 9, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Lani
Dear Marisa and Mendelt,
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Lani
January 9, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Mike and Karen Carmody
I’m sure that statement is more than true (I’m pretty sure I’ve prayed about a hundred times for Marisa today just myself!) Mendelt, we want you to know that we’re also praying constantly for you, that you may feel God’s strength – that you can be strong for Marisa and for Zion, Jacoba and Zekijah.
Love you lots.
Karen
January 9, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Jacob Amama
I will pray for you. I hope you will come back soon. (I promise I will not forget my books anymore.)
January 9, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Audrey Reitsma
God certainly heard your name this morning and through the night when I wake up. At Brantford Christian school we are praying for you and now specifically that the chemotherapy will shrink those tumours. Take courage and know that God is with you every step of this difficult journey.
Audrey Reitsma
January 9, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Ruth/Rick Jongejan
Dear Marisa and Mendelt, Just a little note to let you know that we are praying for you BOTH. For you, Marisa, especially asking for healing and also the strength both physically and emotionally to go through the chemo treatments. We know that with God all things are possible. Our God is a God capable of healing even cancer. For you, Mendelt, we are praying for courage and strength as you have the role of encourager for Marisa as well as your children. From our experience in the past, God will give you the strength you need. Lean on him. And let the Christian community surround you with food and other offers of help. Go with God.
We are also praying for you in my classroom, and I am sure that many children are taking that prayer request home as well. Yes, God is hearing Marisa’s name often. SHALOM! From Rick and Ruth Jongejan
January 9, 2007 at 6:11 pm
Danielle Dekker
There can be miracles when you believe
Though hope is frail
It’s hard to kill
Who knows what miracles you can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will
You will when you believe
Hey Mr. and Mrs. H. I was listening to this song just now at home from “The Prince of Egypt”, childish but it sure speaks the truth and can teach every one of us a little something. Just thought I’d let you know that God surely did hear your name, Mrs. H., hundreds of times and will continue to each day I’m sure of it. Praying for all of you.
Danielle
January 9, 2007 at 6:55 pm
Linda Smith
My prayers are with you daily. Keep strong.
Linda Smith
January 9, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Sandie
Mendelt,
As you already know, there are so many fighting this battle with you.
As my mother went through chemo she would visualize many things, so Marisa; as the chemo enters your body, visualize the fingers of God spreading so gently throughout your system. Taking power over the sickness. With His gentle yet mighty fingers, seize the cancer and crush it. Just as God whipsers to us, let his healing quietly flow through you and fight this disease.
Lots of love and prayers to your whole family,
Sandie
January 9, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Mark & Laura Bassie
Mendelt & Marisa:
Holding you up in prayer today and always!
I love what Lani wrote!!!
You are certainly surrounded by God’s Army! You are loved by Him, protected by Him and will be healed by Him!!
Yes, Mendelt & Marisa, speak it loud and clear, claim your victory – you belong to Jesus forever!!
One of my favourite parts of Jesus’ healing ministry was how He would allow people to come around him and just touch the edge of his cloak and they were healed! That amazes me all the time! Our Lord is so very powerful and He still works mightily today!
Love,
Laura
January 10, 2007 at 10:38 am
Liz Westerhoff
Dear Mendelt, Marisa and children,
God is hearing your name echoed from all over the country – May you find strength in that. We, here in Beamsville, are praying that you will feel God’s healing hands, and his loving arms surrounding you.
Isaiah 40
Comfort for God’s People
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Love Elizabeth, Kendrick, Alannah, Sarah & Nataschia Westerhoff
January 10, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Chris & Jen (Bosma) Noordam
Dear Marisa and Mendelt,
We have been constantly praying for you and your family. Thanks for keeping everyone updated, as we will know what to specifically pray for.
Chris & Jen (Bosma) Noordam
January 10, 2007 at 6:05 pm
Eric and Lisa Lammers
Thank you so much for sharing your struggles and joys during this part of your lives with us. We too are praying for you. Peace and a whole lot of love.