When my daughter, Robin, and I arrived at the Klahn farm outside of Brooklyn, Wisconsin, for the “Day On the Farm” benefit to raise funds for Declan Johnson's medical expenses, the shindig was already in full swing. I knew this was going to be a success!

The Soggy Prairie Boys band was playing some old croony tune by John Denver; kids were already stalking each other in the hay bale maze. Tents were set up for button making, stuffed animal making, ticket selling, snow cones and popcorn. A horse-drawn wagon was making the rounds, filled with children of all ages. Inside the spacious old barn, two large crosses were leaning against one wall. In a corner a slide show of baby Declan and his amazing, short life was showing. Long tables held the goodies: roast pork, beans, the fixin's of a good ole meal. Along one wall were tables holding donated items for a silent auction. Perhaps 200 people were browsing the tables, enjoying lunch, listening to the band and placing their bids. Organizers of the fundraiser had set a goal of $5,000 this day, to help a little with out-of-control medical expenses faced by baby Declan’s parents.

Declan was the grandson of Pastor Bill Mack of Grace Lutheran Church in Oregon, Wisconsin. Born and baptized in March 2007, Declan had suffered for four long months with a variety of severe diseases. Having exhausted every medical option in Madison, in midsummer Declan’s parents, Christy and Luke Johnson, flew him to Los Angeles in search of specialists who could further treat the baby.

The tale of Declan began late in 2006, when his mother, Christy, was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a dangerous neurological disease. Each Sunday during the Divine Service, her father prayed publicly for her health. Often Christy would be there with her husband, Luke, and 3-year-old son, Liam, smiling and cheerful, grateful for the prayerful support of the members of Faith. Her pregnancy with Declan exacerbated the symptoms. In December she was hospitalized and nearly died. As time went on, the weekly public prayers for Christy and the baby she carried gradually became part of the cares and daily personal prayers for many at Faith Lutheran.

Declan was born three weeks prematurely and soon began to earn his nickname, “our little fighter.” Declan had low blood sugar and a disorder known as Beckwith-Weidemann syndrome. Finally home a month after his birth, he soon developed pneumonia and was rushed back to the ICU. At the end of another month of hospitalization, a routine CT scan showed a golf-ball-sized growth on his liver. Declan had cancer. Surgery to remove a third of his liver was followed by the first round of chemotherapy, which further weakened the baby’s immune system. A staph infection and high fever followed.

Perhaps Declan never had a chance. There were so many ailments stacked against him! When in California he took a turn for the worse, the Macks and Johnsons gathered together with Declan in his hospital room. On August 8, held in his mother’s arms, Declan was taken into the loving arms of his heavenly Father.

Through it all, the members of Faith had marveled at the tough little baby and had kept praying for him. To help the Johnsons financially, the “Day on the Farm” benefit was planned, which ended up raising over $25,000. Toward the end of the afternoon, some bigger ticket items were sold in a live auction. Someone had donated a nice oak rocking chair. Faith member Joe Moll and another woman got into a serious bidding war, and eventually Joe won the rocker for the price of $350. And then he gave it to the lady bidding against him!

That was the kind of a day it was.

Bruce Gee lives in Oregon, Wisconsin where he attends Faith Lutheran Church, served by Pastor William Mack, Declan’s grandfather.