March 9, 2008

Pastor P.C. & Edith Willis

P. O. Box 1522

Sauk Village IL 60412 

Dear Friend: 

Let me tell you a story about a little girl.  You may remember her as the little girl with the big voice, singing about the saving power of God’s blood.  Some of you may not know her at all. She was/is a member of Living Waters Ministries and has taken part in international work for her Lord and Master.  She was a very sensitive child, with a keen sense of injustice.  From a very early age, she determined to rectify the wrongs she sensed in the world.  Was there a hungry cat?  She fed it.  An ailing bird?  She attempted to heal it.  A crying child?   She offered comfort.  Her calling was to help the helpless.  She resolved to be an advocate for the vulnerable.  She hoped to enhance the world in whatever way she could by living out that saving power she’d sung about so many times.

As she grew, she attempted to figure out how best to serve others.  She educated herself receiving a Master’s Degree and got busy.  For two years she worked as an elementary teacher, mentoring the children, supporting some with her own funds and expanding their horizons as no one else could.  She lived for two years in France(fluent in the language), seeking to augment her gifts so she could serve ultimately in the United Nations.  In the spring of 2005 Rebekah joined AmeriCorps (receiving a living allowance calculated at the poverty level of the counties in which she served) and left to serve in Oklahoma as an AmeriCorps*VISTA Member under the National Society of American Indian Elderly, where she created new programs, sought funding, served her Native Seniors and trained community volunteers.   She recently received a presidential award for her service during that year.  She felt the Lord’s leading in her life again and moved to New Mexico, where she accepted a position as an AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader this time, recruiting and training professional grade volunteers, writing grants and supporting nonprofit organizations throughout New Mexico.

While in New Mexico Rebekah was given two very sweet girls to care for.  One was a three year old pre-adoptive placement.   Her daughter unquestionably had special needs with reactive behaviors, speech delays, coordination and other concerns not mentioned here.    As Rebekah became aware of additional concerns she did not hesitate to begin an attempt to resolve the problems noted.  It seemed to Rebekah’s family as if full disclosure may not have been given in terms of the adoptive child’s problems and/or needs.  Rebekah loved the child deeply and put all of her energies into improving her health and abilities.   We all loved and welcomed her as a part of our family.   The adoption for the child, now four, was just weeks away from being finalized when she fell out/hitting her head, while doing a prescribed physical activity.   When Rebekah could not revive her daughter she immediately called paramedics for medical assistance and transport to the hospital.  Authorities and medical personnel believed Rebekah Willis to be the perpetrator of any injuries found, old or new.  Her words were turned against her, her daughter was taken from her, and she was immediately and unjustly charged with child abuse.

Now this young lady, once the champion of the downtrodden, is in need of her own champion.  Her desire to spend her life helping others, even if for little or no pay, has left her with the inability to afford her own lawyer.  At a cost, we’re told, of $70,000 for an appropriate lawyer, it seems incredible that one can be found within a month’s time.  But we believe God is still on the throne and that He will impress the urgency of this situation upon your heart and so by faith, we ask for help.  We hope we can count on you for a generous donation of $250 or more to the Legal Defense Fund being set up in her name.  Some may be impressed to give $1,000.  If so, please do.  However, please know that any donation amount is welcomed.

If you require additional information about the Legal Defense Fund, please contact us and we will be happy to answer questions you may have.  For Rebekah’s defense, kindly make your check out to one of the following, your choice:

Rebekah Willis Defense Fund

P.C. or Edith Willis

We thank you for your time and consideration.  We look forward to whatever support you can provide knowing that God will bless you for your generosity.  Again, please accept our sincere thanks on behalf of Rebekah. 

Respectfully Yours,

The Entire Pastor P.C. Willis Sr. Family

P.O. Box 1522, Sauk Village, IL 60412