“Are you going by yourself?”

Cookeville, TN
Story by: Jill Mynatt

That simple question was all it took to make tears spill from my friend Maria’s* eyes.

Maria is from Colombia but has lived in the U.S. for many years. A few years ago, she received a difficult cancer diagnosis. Not long after, her husband of over 20 years decided to leave her, unwilling to shoulder the burden of her care. Now, she finds herself navigating the pain of a messy divorce while simultaneously managing the relentless symptoms of her illness.

We were sitting together at church after our Spanish Discovery Bible Study, which happens every Sunday. As we chatted, she mentioned she had an appointment with her oncologist the next day. My heart sank as I realized she might be facing that appointment alone.

When I gently asked, “Are you going by yourself?” it was as if a dam broke inside her. All the hurt she had been holding back poured out—anger and sadness over her broken marriage, the physical and emotional pain of her diagnosis, and a deep longing for her home country and family.

I wrapped my arms around her and assured her she would not be going alone. We quickly made plans for me to pick her up the next morning. We went together, and on the drive to her appointment, we shared stories, laughter, and even some tears. It became a time of genuine connection and friendship.

To me, this is what Manna’s work in Cookeville is all about—making sure no one has to face life’s challenges alone.

Life is hard and often full of unexpected pain, but in Christ, we find a built-in network of support and love. I am grateful Maria is part of our Sunday morning Bible study, but even more thankful that she is part of our Manna Cookeville family and the family of God. In this family, when someone asks, “Are you going by yourself?” the answer is a resounding no.

*name changed for privacy purposes