On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina moved inland to Moss Point, MS and left leaving water
and wind damage, death and destruction, and broken spirits. In the midst of the blue tarps,
water level marks, and hundreds of volunteers, Hurricane Katrina joined together two men
forever.
This journey began after several long hours of travel, no room at church, and an offer to help
one another. In March 2006, a mission team including Tim Eller arrived at their host church
location only to find there was no room. Bishop Houston Cunningham offered his church, Green
Pastures, as a housing site for the team. After six days of gutting, rebuilding, and sharing, Tim is
baptized by Bishop and a bond of friendship is formed.
Months later, as Bishop is preparing to travel to Kenya for a youth conference. Tim is asked to
travel with him. In December 2007 the two travel across the ocean together. While preparing for
the day, Tim brushes his teeth with unsanitary tap water. He walks outside the room and
collapses onto the ground. Tim awakes to find himself lying in bed with Bishop next to his
bedside fervently praying over him.
Throughout the following years, the bond grows stronger, and the families become closer.
Numerous trips are made back and forth between the two men and their families. Southern
hospitality is enjoyed, and trips north to Indiana become a time of relaxation and renewal. In
August 2012, Bishop performs the wedding of Tim’s youngest daughter, Suzanne to Derek.
Facing a pre-diabetic diagnosis, a decision is made in March of 2015 to make lifestyle changes.
With the doctor’s willingness to let Tim try, dietary changes are made. After 3 months, blood
results show improvement. After 6 months, more improvement, and after 1 year, all results are
stable! In February 2016, Bishop informs Tim his one remaining kidney is showing signs of
failure. A new kidney will be needed in the future. Bishop is added to the transplant list and
assigned a transplant advocate.
Tim has a blood test with results going to Bishop’s transplant advocate. It’s a preliminary match!
More tests are required, and a trip to Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans is made in July 2016.
After 4 days of intense medical, emotional, and psychological tests, Tim is declared a 98.6+%
match! Whoa God…..a deep breath by both families!
After six surgery attempts being canceled for one reason or another, the seventh attempt finally
happens at Ochsner Hospital on August 14, 2017. Tim donates his left kidney to Bishop, and it
immediately starts producing urine! After 5 days, Tim is released, and after 3 weeks, Bishop is
released from the hospital. Several weeks later, Tim and Bishop are both fully recovered and
living their new lifestyles!
So, how would you answer the question, “Who saved whom?”
