MT. WASHINGTON, Ky. (WDRB) — A Bullitt County father has been battling kidney disease for years.
Attending a service at the Church of the Crossroads in Mt. Washington marked the starting point of a new friendship.
David Frank and Beth Allen attend Church of the Crossroads in Mt. Washington, Kentucky. (WDRB image)
"It's where the support comes from. It's where our friendship comes from," David Frank, who needs a kidney transplant, said.
47-year-old David Frank has been living with kidney disease for more than 15 years. One kidney is no longer functioning, and the other is barely hanging on.
"The decline was, was such a slow, slow decline," Frank said.
Doctors told him he needed a transplant.
"When I first heard that news, that's not something you can ask for, and it's not something you can ask anybody for," Frank said.
But, one of his friend's at the Church of the Crossroads didn't need to be asked. She heard his prayers in a small group.
"I know what it's like to have a family members that you can't do anything to help," Beth Allen, who is from Shepherdsville, said.
Beth Allen's nephews were born with a genetic disease, and one passed away. In honor of the loved one she lost, she decided to get tested to see if she could donate. Frank had no idea.
"I knew we were a blood match. But my husband asked that I wait till his family does and they weren't a match. So I just said I'm going to and so I did," Allen said.
"When she told me that it was a shock like I've never had really. It's like a drop the phone fall on your knees like I cannot believe that this just happened," Frank said. "I don't have to worry about being a father, being there for my wife. I can still continue to provide and protect, like I'm called to do."
For Frank, it's the ultimate gift. More than 100,000 people in U.S. are waiting for transplants with kidneys needed the most. 17 people die each day waiting for the call.
"I guess you could say my attitude was was Beth, I cannot take this from you. And her attitude was you didn't ask I'm giving it," Frank said.
David Frank and Beth Allen's small group at the Church of the Crossroads in Mt. Washington, Kentucky.
David Frank and Beth Allen met in that sacred place four years ago. They were strangers, but by the end of this month, they will be linked for life.
"It's the right thing to do. I felt peace with it. He never asked," Allen said.
The ultimate gift of favor and grace.
"God has set us up from the beginning and his plans working out," Frank said.
The surgery will take place in Lexington on May 30.
Frank moved to Mt. Washington with his wife on Halloween in 1999. They have three children. Their oldest is currently pregnant and is due this summer.
"I have struggled with this for a while, but looking back, you can see that God has been at work putting things in place my entire way," Frank said. "When you're in the storm, you don't see it. When things are just routine, sometimes you don't see it. But, now looking back at the big picture, I can see that meeting Beth back then, joining Life Group at the same exact time, still being in our Life Group, after it's branched off multiple times, this was just something that was meant to be. I just didn't know until now."
Frank is looking forward to becoming a grandfather and holding his grandson. He will remain in isolation for 12-weeks post the surgery.
Allen also has children. She's been married to her husband for 24 years.
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