Live nativity to benefit former pastor’s wife

Written by TRF Times    http://www.trftimes.com/news/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9701:live-nativity-to-benefit-farmer-pastors-wife&catid=13:front

Grace Evangelical Church of Strathcona will host a live nativity to benefit Brenda Baughman, who is battling pancreatic cancer. Baughman is the wife of former pastor Ben Baughman. The live nativity will be held Sunday, Dec. 18 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and from 6 to 7 p.m. behind the church. Freewill donations will be accepted.  (Submitted)     Grace Evangelical Church of Strathcona will host a live nativity to benefit pancreatic cancer patient Brenda Baughman, wife of former pastor Ben Baughman.     The live nativity will be held Sunday, Dec. 18 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and from 6 to 7 p.m. behind the church. Freewill donations will be accepted via cash, checks or credit cards. Cookies will be served while supplies last. Roads will be marked.     Attendees will be able to feel the real meaning of Christmas and see the story of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem from the comfort of their vehicles. The live nativity will be broadcast via the radio. The live reenactment will feature Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the shepherds, the wise men and, of course, the animals.     The Baughmans served Grace Evangelical Church from 1972-77. They now live in Denver. Brenda’s world was rocked in May 2010, when she was told she had pancreatic cancer. A risky surgery called the Whipple Surgery was performed  May 17, 2010. She was on the fast track to recovery, and eight days after the surgery, she left the hospital. In July 2010, Brenda began radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Three months later, her PET scan came back clear for cancer, but she still began chemo again since micro cells had been found.     In September 2011, Brenda went in for a scan, and tumors were found growing in her stomach. She immediately started a stronger form of chemotherapy. During this treatment, she became ill. On?Nov. 8, she went in for a blood draw, and her cancer markers had jumped substantially. Her doctor decided that chemotherapy wasn’t working, and a CAT scan was performed. The scan showed some growth in areas of Brenda’s liver but, given her cancer marker numbers, not the explosion they thought they would see. The doctors found a Phase I clinical trial for Brenda, which they use when the other things aren’t working. She was a perfect match for the clinical trial; however, Brenda suffered two small strokes, which made her ineligible for the clinical trial.     Brenda said her hope is in God and His faithfulness. She added, “He is good in the middle of everything! ‘My times are in His hands.’” (Psalms 31:15a).     If you are unable to attend the benefit but wish to donate, checks may be mailed to Grace Evangelical Church, 18713 County Line Rd. N.E., Strathcona, MN 56759.