When an Amish friend of Melynna Hewitt's shared the bad news that her seven year old niece had been diagnosed with cancer, Hewitt sent her a stuffed rabbit. But she had a strong desire to take it a step further.
"I literally felt an extreme urge, a persistence that said you really need to write Mary Ann a story. You really need to tell her why a stranger who lives 800 miles away would send her a stuffed animal."
What came out was A Story of Faith, a tale about a young Amish girl in Indiana about to start treatment for cancer, and the stuffed rabbit named Faith that walked in and became her "bestest friend." That story turned into a journey of giving and hope Hewitt would never have anticipated when she sat down to write it.
Melynna never meant for her story to go where it did - illustrated by a teacher friend, offered to a publisher, and accepted too.
But along the way the Hewitt's decided to put their story of faith to work. They published it themselves, spent $15,000 of farm budget, and watched miracles take place.
The book really did help that little Amish girl. Hewitt says, "As of December the 31st we have, not only recouped one hundred percent of our expenses, [but] we have sent the family $23,400.00."
It hasn't just been beneficial for the little girl's family. It's been good for Hewitt. As she describes it...
"It's been the most personal, inspirational part of my life I've ever experienced."
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