Stories

Throughout the pandemic, many people have had to face uncertain futures, and Saddleback small groups have been crucial for our members who are struggling. One member, Cyndee, and her husband, Dale, were extremely grateful for their group during her battle with COVID-19

After she began feeling ill, Cyndee and her husband decided to go to the doctor to make sure she was OK. Three tests later, she was diagnosed with COVID-19, and had mild symptoms according to the doctor. The couple went home optimistic that Cyndee would recover.

However, it turned out to be a three-month battle with the virus, and doubt and uncertainty began to set in as  the symptoms worsened. Cyndee began having a tough time breathing and needed oxygen therapy to get through the day. She felt so ill, even praying was difficult.

“I was very concerned for Cyndee,” Dale said. “I wasn’t sure what the result was going to be, whether I was going to not have a wife anymore.”

During this time, Cyndee and Dale realized they couldn’t do it by themselves — they needed to rely on their church family. They needed prayer and support. That’s when they turned to their small group.

The couple has an extensive history with small groups, having been a part of Saddleback groups for the past three decades. Dale and Cyndee have even helped launch several small groups over the years, leading them as they grow and then eventually handing over the responsibility to a co-leader. 

“Cyndee and I talked and I said, ‘You know, we really need to share this with our co-leaders in our small group,’” Dale said.

Rather than being there to support those in their group, this time Dale and Cyndee were the ones receiving support. Their group was with the couple every step of the way, providing prepared meals, prayer, and emotional support. Soon, Cyndee’s symptoms began to improve.

“From that point of asking the small group to get involved,” Dale said, “things started happening.”

What made this interaction special was how proud Dale and Cyndee were of their small group. They never thought the things they had been teaching their small group might be used to help them, so they were incredibly thankful.

“In our small groups, we’ve always led by example,” Cyndee said. “They were incredible learners, and so they picked it up and began to take a leadership role in caring for us.”

Dale and Cyndee expressed how grateful they were for their small group during her battle with COVID. Without the love of Christ that they experienced from their group, the couple doesn’t know how they would have gotten through it.

“We could have never made it without them,” Cyndee said. “We couldn’t have done it without their love, their prayer, their food, their support. It was amazing.”