Sam Holdeman, tribute and appeal
Since then, further complications have led to Sam becoming legally blind and needing to have his hands and feet amputated. Sam was told by his doctors that it would be wise for him to move to Rochester, Minn., to get the care he needs from the Mayo Clinic.
After arriving, Sam required further amputations below both knees. Sam and his wife, Tracy, are staying in a care facility a few blocks from Mayo Clinic’s Saint Mary’s Campus.
In Mississippi, Sam served in their congregation as a deacon and song leader. He and Tracy also hosted a life group in their home. Tracy is an artist and was supporting them in Mississippi by teaching 50 art students in a studio in their home.
The Holdemans have put their Mississippi house up for sale and are unable to buy one in Rochester until it sells. Their two daughters and their husbands have relocated to Rochester. Zach and Heather Lacefield, Harding University graduates, recently came from Memphis, Tenn., to join Jarvis and Lindsay Melvin, who had already arrived from Mississippi to help their parents on this long journey. Three of the four have secured jobs with the Mayo Clinic, while the fourth will work from home for Apple computers.
On Sundays, you can see several of the family members walking the six-tenths of a mile to the Rochester Church of Christ building, with one of them pushing Sam’s wheelchair.
Recently, when asked how he was handling all the changes in his life, Sam stated that he felt that God wanted him to “suffer well” as an encouragement to others and to bring glory to our Lord.
Sam’s change of lifestyle, the many transitions, the expenses and the unknowns can all be truly overwhelming. It won’t be long until the cold weather will arrive in Minnesota.
There are so many needs — for their house to sell in Mississippi, for a special vehicle to transport Sam, for a handicap-accessible home, for therapies, treatments, groceries, for new art students. It all adds up.
They need help!
With the aid of the church family in Rochester, the Holdemans have set up a benefit fund. Donation checks can be written to The Sam Holdeman Benefit Fund or to the Rochester Church of Christ (contributions to the church are tax-deductible).
Mail donations, cards of encouragement and/or gift cards to: Rochester Church of Christ, Sam Holdeman Benefit Fund, 632 2nd St SW, Rochester, MN 55902.
For further inquiries about the Holdemans’ needs, feel free to email [email protected].
