Rush and JoAnn Gander

“Hi, Mr. Gander. It’s Sheryl Boldt with Wave 94. Last time we spoke, you asked me to call back around this time to discuss advertising Gander’s Gulf Supply Hardware Store.”

“I would love to,” Mr. Gander replied. “But I’ve been to the doctor again since I’ve last spoken with you and was told my cancer has come back. He says I’m terminal.”

I immediately switched gears and silently prayed. “Father, direct this conversation.”

Since that call, my husband Bert and I have kept in touch with Rush Gander and his wife, JoAnn. You change a bit when you spend time with a Christian who’s been told he only has months to live.

Is Rush afraid? Not of dying itself because “I know where I’m going since I’ve accepted Christ as my Savior.”

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 ESV).

But I wanted to get to know more about this man who (without a miracle) will soon be seeing his Savior face to face. I wondered how he spends his days, what he thinks about, prays about.

I wanted to hear from his devoted wife, JoAnn. How was she coping? What were her fears? How could we pray for her?

And when I heard that their grandson, Cody, stepped up to run the store during the time Rush and JoAnn were in Miami for chemo and radiation treatments, I was interested to hear his thoughts, too. (Cody is now training to fill “my granddaddy’s nice big shoes.”)

Then, after hearing how well respected Rush Gander is in the Carrabelle and surrounding communities, I figured others would want to know these things about him, as well. Thankfully, Rush, JoAnn and Cody agreed to allow me to record our conversation about those very issues.

If you’re ever near Carrabelle, drop by Gander’s Gulf Supply Hardware (90 Tallahassee street) to shop – or grab a seat on a five-gallon paint bucket and visit for a while.

You can hear that interview by going to Wave94.com and clicking on Sheryl Shares.

What about you?

You can use a pseudonym (fake name) when commenting.

• How differently would you live if you were told you only have months to live?
• If you are dealing with a terminal diagnosis, I am very sorry to hear that. Please let us know how we can pray for you.

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