Because Mr. Benedict is a survivor of two serious life threatening episodes of viral encephalitis, he is in an unusual position to minister to and encourage others who have had encephalitis or are caring for an encephalitis survivor.

This all began when I joined an Internet encephalitis support group. I found that there were people out there who were hurting deeply because encephalitis had left them or a loved one physically or mentally scarred. Some have been very severely handicapped, either physically or mentally, and in a number of cases they were left both physically and mentally handicapped.

As I heard their stories and could feel their hurt, I was able to tell some of how God had sustained me through two debilitating episodes of viral encephalitis and encourage them to put their faith in Him. I was asked to write my story, and it was put on the "stories" page sponsored by the support group. I was careful to give God the credit for my survival with a somewhat intact brain. From time to time I hear from someone who read the story and is hurting because they themselves have had encephalitis or someone close to them has had it. When I reply, I let them know that God loves them very much, and He can heal their deep hurt in life.

This is not a major part of our over-all ministry, but it is a way that God has given us to encourage some who are hurting deeply.