On May 1st – just two months from today – it will be the eight year anniversary of Healthcare Solutions – A Christian Ministry. While many of you have been around since the beginning, many of you have not. Consequently, you may not know how this all got started. So, this month’s update will be my story and how God drew me to start this ministry.

I had been working in healthcare for over 15 years. The last job I had before starting Healthcare Solutions – A Christian Ministry just did not seem like it was what God wanted me doing. However, when I started that job, I knew it was where He wanted me to be at that time. As I began to seek out other options no doors opened. In fact, there was a clear message in the fact that NO doors opened at all. I knew I was qualified and yet God would not even allow a phone call or an interview.

So, on January 1, 2004, I began a 40 day fast – specifically to seek the Lord and His will for my life. I read the book “The Purpose Driven Life” in conjunction with the fast. I had read the book before, but found it would be the perfect daily meditation to go along with my fast. For 40 days I fasted and prayed for God to reveal to me just exactly what He wanted me to do with my life in service to Him.

At the end of the 40 days I did not have a clue as to what was next. In March 2004, God began to work in my heart a willingness to follow Him wherever He led – no questions asked. Then I received a message from Him that I will never forget – He told me (thru scripture) that I had to quit my current job before He would show me what was next. (I was making $40,000 a year!) Not wanting to be disobedient, but still wanting to be sure I heard Him right, I did what I call “the Gideon thing.” I asked the Lord to give me confirmation of His word through others in my life. So, I called my best friend – fully expecting her to respond that it was very unreasonable to quit working without financial security. She did not. She encouraged me and told me that if I was sure God told me to quit, then I needed to quit.

Of course, I couldn’t leave it at that. So, I asked God again to confirm it through someone or something else. I spoke to the pastor at the church I attended at the time. Again, I expected the same response. Again, I was encouraged to follow where God was leading me.

“One more time, Lord” was my next statement. (This all happened in one day.) At the time, I had a couple of small books on my desk – there were short Bible Meditations. I picked up one and read the next meditation – full confirmation of what I needed to do.

So, on April 1, 2004, I gave a 30 day notice to leave my job. I had no other job lined up. And, I had no idea what God had in mind. What I did know was that I had to do what God called me to do.

Within two weeks of that 30 day notice, God revealed to me what He wanted me to do. As it all began to unfold, it became clear to me what He wanted. As I had served so many throughout my life, God was now calling me to full time service. I was to start a non-profit specifically devoted to serving the elderly and disabled. I was not to charge for this service and accept donations only. The Lord showed me that as I was serving people dealing with healthcare issues, they should not have to pay someone just to figure out how the system works.

Many people thought I was crazy to quit my job with no prospect of income. (Many people still think I’m crazy today for how I do not charge for what I do.) About two weeks into the ministry, an agency called me to come work for them. They said I could do exactly what I had planned to do – under the umbrella of their agency. I would be on salary and would be allowed to pursue my plan just as I was developing it. It was a true test. One thing that God had made clear to me was that people needed someone to go to who was not affiliated with any agency – someone that would give them information without trying to convince them to use a particular company. There was no way I could accomplish what God wanted me to accomplish if I was working for an agency that provided a lot of services that people would be looking for.

I had a friend who helped me develop all the things necessary to start a non-profit agency. Every day he would call me and give me a list of things I needed to do. I got the book “Non-profit for Dummies.” That helped me put together my application to the IRS for non-profit status. It also gave samples of various documents I needed to put together. Some people were negative about being able to achieve non-profit status without difficulty. Because God was in control, I was approved within a few months!

God sovereignly ordained the first people who would serve on the Board of Directors. Each one accepted the challenge and opportunity to serve.

Things fell into place as only He could have made it happen. I attended a health fair in May 2004. Many seniors attended and gathered my information. From that event came my first referral. From there, everything snowballed. It was amazing to be at work serving people and seeing how many were being helped.

I still do not charge for what I do and I refuse to do so. God would have to make it crystal clear to me before I would change that. He has provided for me and those I serve exponentially over the last eight years.

The services I provide include, but are not limited to: Help people apply for Social Security Disability; Help people apply for and access VA Benefits; Help people apply for Food Stamps; Help people apply for Medicaid; Help people seek out options in healthcare – this could mean finding a particular type of doctor, a type of hospital service, home health, physical rehab services, medication options (pharmacy benefits, applying for free medications from pharmaceutical companies); Help people apply for Medicare, Medicare Supplements, Medicare HMO’s, or Medicare Pharmacy plans… The list could go on and on. I take people to the doctor to be support and hear what the doctor says in order to repeat it back properly. I pick up medications from the pharmacy and set out medications in pill containers. I have Power of Attorney for two different clients. I help with budgeting and making decisions about what is the best step to take concerning a particular medical situation. People are looking for someone they can trust to tell them the truth and help them receive information and process it appropriately. God uses me to be that person.

I have served hundreds of people over the last eight years. Most of them are close to poverty and could not afford to pay a dime for my services. Many have given me $20 here and there. Those donations are priceless to me. Some have the financial resources to donate. In each of those cases I always tell the individual that it is up to them to decide what to donate.

So, I ask that you consider a donation to Healthcare Solutions – A Christian Ministry. All donations are tax deductible and go to a most worthy cause. I had to buy a new car recently. The expenses that have resulted from that purchase will net approximately $600 extra needed monthly. That is above the already $2,000 + expenses. You may mail donations to the address below.

It is my prayer that you are all blessed with the grace of God abundantly. May your lives be filled to overflowing as His grace pours forth. It is in His name and by His power and His might that I continue to serve.

Andre’ Waguespack
Healthcare Solutions – A Christian Ministry
1022 Carrollton Avenue
Metairie, LA 70005