Still Rising ― A Story of Strength, Weakness, and Unexpected Healing

Why do bad things happen to good people? It's an age-old question, and it's the one Richard and Daphne Gaspard asked on a daily basis. For over two years, as they watched their daughter, Katie, suffer immensely, due to a lengthy battle with a rare blood disease and its complications, they waited on God to answer their prayers for healing. But was God really even listening? How could He allow this to happen? What was His plan? Where was the miraculous healing so many others had received? Why not them? There were so many unanswered questions, but the Gaspard family determined to stay faithful to God in a season of great pain and unbelievable uncertainty. Still Rising chronicles Katie's story, her family's fight to honor God, and tells a narrative of suffering, trust, and seeing God's hand in the midst of an intensely painful journey.

Richard and Daphne Gaspard's relationship began while they both served in their church youth group and worship team. From early on, they knew that God would use them in ministry together. Both natives of south Louisiana, Richard and Daphne were married in December of 1994, and began their life together in Tulsa, OK, where Daphne completed her degree from Oral Roberts University while Richard served as an adjunct instructor there, as well as the chief audio engineer at Oral Roberts Television. When their oldest daughter, Kylie, was born, they knew they wanted to rear her near family and friends in Cajun country, so the three of them, along with their two dogs and their youngest daughter, Katie, on the way, packed up and headed home in August of 2000. That decade brought their ministry life full circle, as they both served on staff at Crossroads Church in Lafayette, and their girls began to follow in their footsteps, serving in youth and music. But, in 2015, tragedy struck. Katie was diagnosed with a rare blood disease, requiring extensive medical treatment, including a bone marrow transplant. After months and months of suffering, due to complications from that transplant, Katie passed away on July 20, 2017. Richard and Daphne, although crushed from the loss, have determined that they do not want what happened to Katie to be all for nothing. Their hearts' desire is to tell her story and speak to those who are suffering, or have gone through tragic loss. Together, they authored a book chronicling Katie's journey, while showing God's hand in the process. Richard and Daphne are both available for speaking engagements. Please contact them at info@wearestillrising.com.