A Life-Changing Question: "How Can We Help?"

To those who knew Katerina Brandt, her swift change from healthy to bedridden came as a shock. Katerina was a star student at USC, and one class away from graduating when she was forced to withdraw on medical leave. What they first thought was severe bronchitis eventually led to the indefinite loss of her voice. Her condition was only getting worse. 

Katerina and her family were left confused in the face of an undiagnosed immune disorder, desperate to find out what was going on. This mysterious illness not only changed the course of her life, but the lives of her entire family — her two younger sisters, who were also students, and her mother Kathryn, a single working parent. 

Determined to learn about her daughter’s illness, Kathryn visited countless specialists. Even though they could see something was wrong, the doctors were unable to identify the problem or a cure. The two took to Stanford, where doctors did a data study on her blood and finally recognized the problem. Katerina’s illness would affect all her bodily systems, and could even shut them down. The walls closed in as Katerina and her family realized her life was in jeopardy. 

With a compromised immune system, any disease could be lethal to Katerina. Her situation only became more difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic — an active threat to her life. Kathryn had to be careful of anything harmful coming into their home, so they stayed indoors for the entire pandemic. On top of taking care of Katerina, Kathryn was working remotely full-time. Her poor internet connection meant a difficult time getting into meetings and finishing work, creating additional anxiety that she would lose her job.

The two were stranded, as Katerina’s younger sisters and other family members could not visit her. Even when restrictions were lifted and her neighbors went outside, Kathryn was resilient in protecting her daughter and quarantined herself. The Brandt family was facing a sea of challenges, with uncertainty as to what would happen next. 

As Katerina’s conditions grew more severe, Kathryn reached out to her small group. In her family’s hour of crisis, her small group asked a question that would change everything: “How can we help?” 

Kathryn’s small group banded together to deliver groceries and other essential items to her home, some going so far as to drive across the county on a regular basis to help. Responding to Kathryn’s prayer request about her internet, one small group member asked Kathryn who her provider was. After making numerous phone calls, they managed to get Kathryn in touch with the president of her provider’s company. From there, they worked to fix Kathryn’s internet issues.

Through video calls, her small group kept in contact with Kathryn and supported her emotionally. In addition to keeping her connected, her small group prayed to God relentlessly for her and Katerina. 

The unending support of her friends not only provided Kathryn with household needs, but gave her the spiritual and emotional strength to keep going. She saw the small group carrying out the will of God by tending to those who are sick and in need. “They became the hands and feet of Jesus,” she said. To Kathryn, this was God’s love shining into her life. “That is providing for someone who cannot provide for themselves,” she said through tears. “That’s the loaves and fishes getting handed out.”

Kathryn’s discovery of her small group all began on a journey to find connection. Many years ago, Kathryn came to Saddleback when her kids were in high school. Her family wanted a church where they could learn and find community, but none of the churches around them seemed to engage teenagers. Then, Kathryn found Saddleback, remarking, “It really felt like home.” Kathryn brought her kids, who also loved the church, and from there Kathryn joined a small group. She’s been with that small group ever since. 

Despite doctors fearing she would not live to be twenty-five, Katerina is now twenty-six. She has since undergone infusion treatments and has begun to slowly regain some of her voice. What was once a season of isolation was transformed into a season of hope by the strength of Katerina and her mother, and everyone who came together in love to help their friend in need. 

The Brandt Family are one of the many households who are still suffering from the impact of COVID. “There is a very large community out there, now that we’ve been through COVID, [who] are no longer able to go do what they used to be able to,” Kathryn said. “They may be caring for someone as well.” This is why Kathryn encourages others to reach out in times of need, and to answer the calls of others who are struggling.