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700 Club

He’s Got a Home for Christmas

“I was in disbelief. Like, I thought like it was a sign of something. Like, this is where I needed to be; I was actually home.”

It had been a long time since Mason Martinez had a Christmas worth remembering. Now he was spending it with Angelle’ Lewis and her family. Mason and Angelle’ met in November 2019 --- she was his driver’s ed instructor. Over the following months during their drives, Angelle’ learned more about the 16-year-old’s story.  Mason describes:

“In 2016, my mother passed away and that's when everything changed. 
There were times living with my dad that,

I would only get to eat like one time a day, because 
we couldn't afford to buy more food. For a while I 
didn't even celebrate Christmas with my dad. 
Christmas came around, we would eat, say 
Merry Christmas, but not a tree, nothing.”

By then, he had no home and was staying with a friend’s family temporarily. Mason says, it felt like even God didn’t want him. That was about to change. 
Angelle’ and her husband Ronnie had been foster parents for years, but had decided to take a break from the challenges of raising foster kids. After meeting Mason, she told Ronnie she felt God was telling they should rethink that idea. Angelle says, “I do remember going home after initially meeting him and telling my husband that this is the kind of kid I wish we could have fostered. So when I brought up the idea of Mason living with us, it wasn't hard to get him on board.”

Later, Angelle’ discovered she and Mason had something in common. “I've I lost my mom”, she said. “One thing I've just learned over time after losing a mom is it's a club that nobody wants to be in. And so instantly, when he told me about his mom, of course I had the maternal instinct kick in, but also, I resonated with that”, Angelle said.  Then came the Christmas holidays --- even though Mason was with his friend’s family, he still felt alone.  

While Mason was too old to take in as a foster child, Angelle’ told him if he ever needed anything or a place to stay, he could call her. A month later in January 2020, he took her up on that offer. “I can see as we were walking through the house, I could just kind of see him looking around. He asked me what my address was”, Angelle describes. Mason then had a revelation --- he says, “I was like, this is my old house.” They realized that Angelle and Ronnie’s home was the very home Mason grew up in as a child. Mason was just a child when his family moved out years before, when his mom was still alive. Angelle said, “it was very clear to all of us, that Mason was gonna come live with us, and he moved in that weekend.” 

That year Mason graduated high school and enlisted in the Army. After 10 weeks of boot camp, Mason came home just in time for Christmas.  Mason says through the Lewis’ love and generosity, a new family wasn’t the only gift he received. Mason says God was brought back into his life. As for Angelle’ and her family, she closes saying – “I tell people I have three boys and, and one of 'em is a bonus son, and sometimes they feel like maybe that's a stepson or something, but Mason is a bonus in a totally different way because God gave 'em to me and to our family.”

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700 Club

Successful Kidney Transplant Just in Time for Christmas!

“The doctor told me, ‘Felnar, there is a storm coming, and I want you to be prepared for it. I just wanted to be aware that it's something that's going to happen. I don't know how fast it would be, but you have a chronic kidney disease problem.’” Felnar Caridad recalls his doctor’s words of warning. As a nurse in Michigan, Felnar spent his career helping others in their time of need. 2013 became his time of need as he was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.

His wife Yolanda remembers seeing his health decline. She says, “He would have no energy at all. Like he was. Just would be in, like, kind of depressed also.”

“It was, a big blow for me.” Says Felnar, “I became foggy. My concentration was not as good. I was the provider for my family. And I never imagined that it will happen to me.”

Felnar was put on a transplant list in two states. He began receiving kidney dialysis several times a week as his condition worsened to end stage renal failure. His church and family prayed with him, while he struggled with thoughts of hopelessness and depression. Felnar says, “I need prayers. Sitting in the chair three times a week for many years. wore me down physiologically, mentally, emotionally, there were there were times when I said, ‘this is not the kind of life that I wanted to live. And I don't imagine myself living this life any longer.’”

After a long wait, a kidney became available in Ohio. As he was being prepped for surgery they received bad news, the donor kidney was not a good match for Felnar. He says, “I was hoping against hope that I will get transplanted, but when it did not happen, me and my wife drove back, and we were actually very sad. My hopes were crushed.”

A second transplant opportunity also failed to be a match. Then in 2015, a call from a local hospital brought unexpected news. Felnar recalls the conversation, “’Mr. Caridad is it possible for you to come over for a meeting?’ I said, ‘what meeting?’ and then the lady told me on the other line, ‘Your daughter is a perfect match for you, and she is willing to donate her kidneys to you.’”

Without their knowledge, their 19-year-old daughter Yasmin pursued testing to see if her kidney was a match. It was perfect. Yolanda recalls, “Oh, I was shocked. I was like it was out of the blue.”

Felnar says, “We've been praying, and we've been praying hard that there will be a donor, a kidney donor. We did not even realize that the answer to our prayers lives right in here, in our house, in our very own house. And our daughter was the one who would be the answer to my prayer for a kidney donor.”

Yolanda now had two family members to pray for as they prepared for surgery. She says, “I remember just listening to Michael W Smith's song Draw Me Close to You, and there's a line there, said ‘I’ll never let you never let me go.’ Then I just keep listening to that song. God never did leave me. He was always there. He was there the whole time. And then he gave me peace.”

December eighth 2015, the surgery was a complete success. Yasmin was released from the hospital three days later, and Felnar went home just days after that. “Glory to God” says Felnar, “Because, the provision of the kidney, the strength that came from above and not from us, and just the protection. Throughout the whole process of the surgery, as well as the reassurance that, we were not alone in the journey.”

Yasmin is living an active healthy life with one kidney but was unavailable for our interview. Felnar and Yolanda reflect back on the beautiful gift their daughter so bravely gave that December day, thankful for the gift of life they celebrate each Christmas season. “December is a joyful time and it's about giving of gifts and expression of love and care for people that you love. And I received the best gift, ever. The gift of love.” Says Felnar.

Yolanda remembers, “That moment during this time was the hardest and at the same time, the most beautiful time for our family. I see my husband has a new lease in life. And because of my daughter's gift.”

Felnar hopes his daughter’s gift of life will encourage others to consider organ donation. As he reflects on his answered prayer, he encourages people to look to the Lord during their time of need. “You just have to trust.” He says, “trust the Lord and pray, because when we pray, God answers in ways and fashion, unfathomable. And that we cannot even imagine that will happen. And I'm a living testimony of what God has done in my life.”

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700 Club

Children Share the Christmas Story

Enjoy the telling of the Christmas story through the eyes of a child.

700 Club

Fighting Through a Barrage of Bills   

When Emill decided to enlist in the army, he went it one step further and applied for special operations. His wife Marieli is proud her husband is a member of such an elite team.

Marieli says, “I believe that he has the character to do it. Because it is a higher-level job, it does require a person to have a strong faith and a strong character and strong morals.”

Emill insists it’s Marieli that deserves the praise, especially after his absence during his recent nine months of training.

Emill says, “What she does, as far as holding down the fort is beyond what I can expect.”

Managing the budget for a family of six on a soldier’s paycheck isn’t easy, but it got even tougher when Emill’s car needed repairs at the same time their washer needed to be replaced. Then, their son required eye surgery leaving them with $5K of out-of-pocket medical co-pays. 

Marieli says, “It does stress me out sometimes, and it does make me worried. While we do what we can, in the meantime, God is working something behind the scenes and eventually what we're doing and what He's doing comes together to provide.”

The family recently transferred from Fort Campbell KY to Fort Bragg North Carolina. Their church in Kentucky contacted Manna Church near Fort Bragg and Helping the Home Front to tell us the family was new in town and needed help. Manna Pastor Michael Ramos met them to introduce himself and tell them, CBN was buying them a washer and paying to fix Emill’s car.

Pastor Michael asks, “How do you guys feel about that?"

Emill responds, “That's really exciting.”

Pastor Mike says, “Is that a little bit of a load coming off it now?”

Emilll says, “Very grateful. Very grateful. Loss of words. I don't know what to say but thank you.”

Pastor Mike continues, “And then the last thing, we want to reimburse you for the full amount of $5K for the medical expenses that you guys have incurred. So, Helping the Home Front is going to pitch-in and take care of that for you guys.”

Emilll says, “Wow.”

Marieli adds, “Very thankful.” 

Emill continues, “That's God, man. I mean, thank you. I mean, we appreciate it. That’s huge.”

This couple can now enjoy a fresh start at their new duty station worry free.

Emill concludes, “We can look up and smile, and not have that burden anymore. We are thankful for everything that CBN has done, and their partners for supporting us."

CBN’s impact around the world

USA

Daily prayers for people across the country

In 2023, the CBN Prayer Center in the U.S. responded to 1.3 million prayer needs from viewers—recording over 6,500 professions of faith and fulfilling over 336,000 requests for ministry resources. Our ministry extends beyond phone calls, offering assistance in various languages and digital platforms.

Latin America

Highlighting testimonies of God’s faithfulness

Vida Dura or “Hard Life” stories are sourced throughout Latin America and produced in Spanish to reach a region with testimonies of people who hit rock bottom and turn to God for change. CBN has a prayer center in Latin America to support people through prayer and faith resources.

Israel

Help in Times of Crisis

When tragedy struck Israel, CBN partners helped war victims by providing emergency shelter, food, supplies, and access to counseling. Our team members also visited bomb shelters to bring hope, encouragement, and much-needed supplies.

Ukraine

For 30 years, CBN has been serving the people of Ukraine

CBN’s Orphan’s Promise continues to minister to desperate men, women, and children in Ukraine by providing warm clothes, winter shoes, blankets, flashlights, and thermoses. We were even able to provide some with generators.

International

Reaching Kids for Christ

 CBN partners are reaching children around the world with the Gospel of Jesus through Superbook, a Bible-based animation series. Through the free Superbook Kids Bible app, kids can watch Superbook, hear the Gospel presentation, play games, and more. They can also read the Bible, many in their own languages. 

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