Inspired by a true story, this delightfully innovative children’s
story was written for seven-year-old Mary Ann, a little Amish girl who
had just been diagnosed with cancer. As Mary Ann lay awaiting the first
of many chemotherapy treatments, in walked a complete stranger bearing a
cuddly bundle of fur named “Faith.” Faith arrived at Mary Ann’s bedside
hoping to become her “bestest” friend and traveling company for the long
journey ahead. This tender story will guide you through Faith’s creation
at Build-A-Bear Workshop and her many adventures on an Amish farm.
Written and illustrated by two women from Oklahoma, this book spearheads
a fund raising effort on Mary Ann’s behalf.
Your purchase of this book will help pay a portion of Mary Ann’s medical expenses.
Price includes tax and shipping.
Hardcover, fully illustrated, “A Story of Faith” now includes both written and audio forms. Christian singer, Libby Thomas, delivers a beautiful CD version of Mary Ann’s book narrated in the voice of little bunny big ears. The CD closes with the authentic recording of “Jesus Loves Me” sung by Amish children in their native language, Pennsylvania Dutch.
Melynna March 30th, 2007
In answer to your questions about donations. For anyone wishing to make a donation, please make your check payable to Calvary Baptist Church and designate it for Mary Ann’s cancer fund. Address 410 W. Chickasaw, Lindsay, OK 73052
telephone (405) 756-2781
Melynna March 30th, 2007
Mary Ann had an MRI and Cat Scan yesterday, March 29th. The preliminary results looked good but the radialogist needs to examine the scans further and compare them to her previous scans done in November. The tumor is still there. It is not completely gone but may have shrunk some since the last scans. Her blood count is still a little low so she does not have much energy yet. The last two chemo treatments really took a toll on her little body. She is worn out. She will return to Indianapolis in a month to have her “port” removed and then follow up with another MRI and Cat Scan some time in June.
For anyone interested in purchasing a book. We still have approximately 400 books in inventory. Thank you and God Bless you for all your prayers. Melynna
Melynna March 15th, 2007
Hello everyone. Great news!!!!! Mary Ann has completed her chemotherapy. Her last treatment was on Friday, March 9th and she is now scheduled for an MRI on the 28th or 29th of March. She’s feeling pretty good and hopes to be able to go to school. The Amish only have a few days out for Christmas and do not take a spring break so their school will dismiss for summer break around the last of April. ——— Now for an update on the book sales. A Story of Faith rolled off the press on August 25th of 2006 all 3000 copies. Our hope, our dream, our intent was to help with Mary Ann’s medical care since her family does not have insurance and God has blessed our efforts. We have approximately 420 books in inventory. Recently a good friend of mine started an e-mail chain letter in the hopes of helping us market our remaining inventory. For those of you who have received this e-mail and need further confirmation of our authenticity please feel free to contact Calvary Baptist Church, Lindsay, Oklahoma
(405) 756-2781 or you can view either one of the television interviews we have been blessed with.
www.newsok.com — NEWS9 — videos — Dec. 6 — “Faith” a children’s story OR
www.kfor.com — community — GREAT STATE
Melynna February 21st, 2007
I just posted an update and forgot a very — very important part. Since Mary Ann is Amish, she had never had the opportunity to visit a Build-A-Bear Workshop — the place her bunny “Faith” was created. Well, this past Friday all that changed. Her mother made a point to meet the person responsible for creating and delivering “Faith” to Mary Ann’s bedside. His name is Ken and I think he is one of God’s angels. He went out of his way to make Mary Ann’s visit special for both her and her little brother, Bennie. I would have given my eye teeth to have been there and watched those little ones. Can you imagine what the experience meant to children who live with the simpliest of toys?
Melynna February 21st, 2007
Mary Ann has one more treatment — ONE MORE! It is hard to believe it has been 8 and a half months since her family received the devastating news. She is doing really well. Last Friday, the 16th of February Mary Ann received one of her “hard” treatments. These are administered every third week and require an overnight stay in the hospital. Usually the effects hit her sometiime in the wee hours of the morning and she is very sick for several hours. — That didn’t happen! For the first time ever, she was able to endure the treatment without getting sick. Mary Ann’s last treatment will be on the 9th of March if all goes well.
“A Story of Faith” tells about the creation of a flop earred bunny who was made especially for Mary Ann to remind her of Jesus’ love during her long journey back to health. God’s presence throughout the writing, illustrating and marketing of this book cannot be denied. There is no other way to explain the incredible speed with which this story has traveled. God has now begun to open new doors — new avenues of ministry. This past week-end, my husband and I were each able to give testimony to God’s awesome presence throughtout each and every step of the journey. I was able to share my testimony at a women’s conference this past week-end and James shared again on Sunday at Central Baptist Church near Marlow, Oklahoma. This coming week-end the 24th of February, I have also been ask to share my testimony. You know, had God told me in the beginning this would be part of the journey, I would have backed out. I’ve never been a public speaker — even thought I’d forget my name if I was ever ask to stand before a crowd. — However — God has a way of changing us. Each day I stand amazed and wonder where HE will take “A Story of Faith.” How BIG is God — how far will be take a few simple words meant to comfort a very sick little girl? Who knows? Long ago God accepted a child’s offering of a simple meal of fish and bread — blessed it and fed 5000. I believe HE has the ability to do anything HE wants with this story and I eagerly anticipate the next chapter.
To date we (meaning each and every person who has purchased a book or given a donation) have collectively raised over $26,000.00 for Mary Ann’s medical care — that is above and beyond all our expenses. It some ways it sounds like a lot but compared to her treatment care to date (over $200,000.00) it is only a drop in the bucket. Thank you — each of you — for your part in ministering to this family.
Melynna February 8th, 2007
Hello everyone. I did not realize it had been so long since my last update. I visited with Mary Ann’s father last week. They are really excited to see her last chemo treatment in sight. If everything goes as scheduled she will have her last treatment on the 9th of March. When she regains her strength, she hopes to finally get a chance to attend school — first grade. This little one had really been excited about attending school but those plans were put on hold as she faced this battle. Mary Ann’s next MRI is scheduled sometime in March. Doctors originally spoke of surgery to remove the remaining tumor but nothing else has been mentioned lately. We’ll just have to wait and see. For those of you who do not know, this story was originally written just for Mary Ann and later became an extended ministry of Calvary Baptist Church. We have committed one hundred percent of the net proceeds towards Mary Ann’s medical care because her family does not have insurance. To date we have distributed over 2400 copies of this book. They have reached 43 states, Ontario, Newfoundland and Afghanistan. This book has now begun to reach other cancer patients one of the latest is Madisyn. Madisny has just undergone surgery and is recovering at Cook’s Children’s Hospital. For update on her condition go to www.carepages.com and type in — madi. Please continue to pray for both Mary Ann and Madisyn. Thank you and God Bless.
Melynna December 15th, 2006
Friday — December 15th
Today we received encouraging news. Mary Ann saw her oncologist today to get the results of the MRI she received on November 24.
The tumor on the inside of her cheek had shrunk by 40% and they expect it to continue shrinking another 10 to 20%. The radiation treatments appear to be successful.
The next step is an appointment with both the ophthalmologist and the endocrinologist to get a closer look at her eyes and her pituatary gland.
Mary Ann is feeling great. Her parents are enjoying seeing their little one up and playing again. She even challenged her cousin, Karen, to a race to the barn. Doesn’t that put a smile on your face? Looks like we have an extra reason to rejoice this Christmas.
God Bless and MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ——- MELYNNA
Melynna December 4th, 2006
A Story of Faith was written especially for Mary Ann. It is available ONLY through paypal or orders will be processed through Calvary Baptist Church, Lindsay, Oklahoma. telephone:
(405) 756-2781
The price per book is $24.00 which includes shipping, handling and taxes. Please make all checks payable to: MOUNTAIN MINISTRIES
Address: Calvary Baptist Church
410 West Chickasaw
Lindsay, OK 73052 - 3308
e-mail: lindsaycalvary@valornet.com
Thank you for sharing in the spirit of Christmas. Your purchase of this book has helped pay Mary Ann’s mounting medical expenses in her fight against cancer. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOD BLESS YOU
Melynna December 2nd, 2006
Today is Saturday and I just got off the telephone with Mary Ann’s mother. Last Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, Mary Ann underwent an MRI to see if the radiation did its job. They have an appointment with the doctors on December 15th to get the results of this test. In the meantime if the doctors see anything alarming they will contact Mary Ann’s family and meet with them immediately. SO —- at this point —- NO news is GOOD news. During the month of December the doctors have also decided to skip some of her chemotherapy treatments. She will have a treatment on the 15th another one on the 29th and then resume her weekly treatments in January.
BOOK UPDATE: We now have approximately 1200 books remaining in inventory. God has given us the opportunity to share our testimony and Mary Ann’s story in several churches and we pray he will continue to open doors for us.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOD BLESS YOU —— Melynna Hewitt
Melynna November 1st, 2006
James and I just returned from a trip to Amish country once again. We were blessed to meet Mary Ann for the very first time. The day we met her she was hospitalized in Indianapolis and a very sick and miserable little girl. She was battling a case of shingles mixed with effects of radiation and chemo. Her cheek, ear, neck and throat were severely burned by the radiation. Eating, drinking and swallowing were next to impossible and she was being given morphine to cope with the pain. However, a week later we were looking at a very different little girl. She met me at the door of her home with a smile and a twinkle in her eye. We shared some time together playing games and parting was bittersweet. Mary Ann will now resume her weekly chemotherapy treatments for the next 28 to 32 weeks. I also have a name for her cancer –
rhabdomyosarcoma. — A short update on the book sales. We recouped all of our expenses eight weeks after Mary Ann’s Book rolled off the press leaving us with 2000 books to sell free and clear. Over 350 books of those were sold at a book signing at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church on October 29th and that money will be sent directly to Mary Ann’s family in the next few days. It is exciting to anticipate where God will lead us next. Our goal is to sell all the books before Christmas. With God in control anything is possible. Please remember to pray for Mary Ann and I thank each of you for your part in this ministry.