As Christians we believe that our only comfort in life and death is that we belong with body and soul to our faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. This is especially comforting to us as we navigate life with Markus and his fight against Ewing Sarcoma.

Therefore, soon after Markus’ diagnosis, when we were contacted by Make-A-Wish Canada, we did some contemplating. This sounded exciting, but we would have traded good health for Markus over anything he would wish for. How was this going to make things better? In our minds we knew that Jesus was the one who would get us through this, not a gift from Make-A-Wish. Yet, this charitable organization (which you can support here) simply wants to, “create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses” as research shows that children who have wishes granted helps to build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness.

Initially Markus wasn’t really interested in it, but he must have been mulling over some things in his head because one day he said he had an idea. A ride on lawnmower for his landscaping business! The Make-A-Wish representative had said to come up with any idea he could think of, and they would consider it, so he did.

Here’s the response we got back after sending his idea to Make-A-Wish:

"I have to say, in my 9 years of working at Make-A-Wish, I have never received a request for a lawn mower, and I sort of love it! What a unique and wonderful wish."

In time however, Markus had another idea. A shopping spree at Foreshore Equipment. Another unique ask for Make-A-Wish! If you’ve been following Markus’ story you will know that he has ambitious plans to start his own landscape maintenance business. Prior to being diagnosed with cancer he had many things in place to start in the spring of 2021, but there were still some essentials that he needed to purchase. Now, rather than pursuing used equipment that was within his budget, he could purchase some of it brand new!

Make-A-Wish was excited to grant this wish and after sorting out a few of the logistics it was decided that this was the week to see it come true. A few days ago Markus went to Foreshore Equipment to pick out the items he wished for and today we picked it all up. Quite special indeed!

We are super grateful to Make-A-Wish for seeing that Markus’ wish has come true. While he would trade being cancer-free for this new equipment for his business in a heartbeat we understand the motivation behind this charity. For Markus this has been a great distraction and we ask that you join us in praying that God will allow him to make full use of it in His good timing.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)