Comfort of God the Focus of
“Butterfly Ministries”

     “Joyce was one of only 2% of stroke victims. She was 14 years old when she had her stroke! I was married to her for 30 years.” Allen Bechle was sharing about care giving when there has been a stroke in a family member. Most strokes do not happen to children. He discussed the kinds of stroke and stroke management, how the first three hours after such an event are critical for resolving many strokes quickly. “Joyce was moved by God to about her stroke experiences. The result is the little book, 'Butterfly.'“ Allen talked about how he and Joyce got involved in what has become “Butterfly Ministries,” a stroke education ministry that is concerned about God and comfort in difficult situations like stroke. “Second Corinthians 1:3-4 tells us that God can use our past health-related fears to help others. Stroke survivors can help people in the middle of these devastating events.” That was the motivation behind Joyce's book and is the focus of Butterfly Ministries.

     “Butterfly Ministries'“ Maria and Allen Bechle (standing) shared their stroke education ministry at the “Men's 710” complimentary breakfast and speaker fellowship for April at Silverhill's Zion Lutheran Church.

     When Joyce passed away, Allen met the present Mrs. Bechle. Maria Bechle has a background of childhood polio and understands how God works in illness. It was her encounter with God in Joyce's book that brought her to an understanding of God's place in her own life. Maria and Allen share in a labor of love that began years before with Joyce Bechle’s little book, but now includes “Butterfly Trails” and “Life After Stroke,” little books that are shared willingly and freely by the couple. Their focus has been in 13 southeast states, the so-called “stroke belt” of the United States, because of the high incidence here. Their book supply is replenished through donations, and is shared along with information handouts related to “stroke risk factors,” “risk questionnaires,” and “stroke warning signs.”

     “Butterfly Ministries” is headquartered in Colorado at P.O. Box 200475, Evans, CO 80620. The Bechle’s three small books are offered on a complimentary basis by their ministry along with a number of stroke awareness materials in a packet. They may be contacted by phone at (970) 590-4180 for additional information. These “snowbirds” are now regular residents of Baldwin County during the winter season.