(UPDATED!) Burdened for a Dear Friend...

12/29 UPDATE:
He has been moved out of ICU, but is still in the hospital as they await full healing in one lung. Thankfully, he is able to nurse full-time, they can hold him and interact, and he is alert and active. When we contrast how he arrived in the major city-- with the doctors telling his parents to "expect the worst"-- to how he is today, God has certainly acted mightily and healed this young man!

We are so thankful, and we praise the LORD for all He has done!



12/24 update-- What a blessing; there is much to be thankful for!!!
* This morning, the doctor decided that because of his great progress, he would be taken off of the respirator. He's been breathing on his own most of the day and remains stable! This has happened 10 days sooner than expected.
* He's feeding through a tube in his nose frequently throughout the day. He is getting stronger and stronger as he gets this nourishment.
* His mother was even able to hold him today! Praise God things are looking better each and every day!

Thank you all for your prayers; what an amazing thing it's been to see God heal and sustain this sweet baby through so much.

12/22 update-- Praise the LORD! His fever is going down, his body is showing signs of responding well to the medicine, and he is now receiving his mom's milk through a feeding tube. Please pray for continued healing and also that her milk supply will increase back to the level of 8 days ago, before this medical situation began. God is acting strongly on behalf of this precious family... keep praying!

12/21 update--
everyone has arrived safely in the major city and it is now a "wait and see" situation. The infection has spread and we need to pray for the medicine to fight off the infection that has become so strong in his weak body. Pray, too, that the family will have a peaceful transition to living in this new city for however long they have to be there. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!!

12/19 update-- the baby and his father arrived in the major city and he is still in very critical condition; pray for healing from an infection and for continued strength in his small body. Also please pray for the mother and his 2-year-old sister to have an easy time as they will travel to this same city on 12/20.

Original Post 12/17: Please join me in praying for a dear friend of mine's sweet one-month old son... he is in critical condition in a hospital in just about the farthest place on earth from good medical care. They are currently awaiting air transport to a quality facility many hours away.

PLEASE pray for his mother and father-- that they will be comforted with peace that passes all understanding, for the doctors-- that they will have wisdom from the Great Physician, and for this sweet baby to be miraculously protected and healed. Pray that their family will be a testimony to God's great care and grace.

Thank you so much for joining your heart with mine and so many others around the world in lifting up this precious family.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jess, I know this couple personally (they are from our church) and we are praying!!

In Christ, Laura

Leah F said...

I also know this couple personally, and I cannot express how much I appreciate your sharing their needs with your wide blog audience. We serve an amazing God who works miracles, who unites the hearts of believers and spurs us on to prayer even when believers are oceans apart!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jess- we also know this couple (from the same church as Laura, above- didn't know she read your blog!), and are praying. It's amazing how small the world really is, esp when the Body is joining hands from each end of the earth. Thanks for posting this.

-Tami

Allison said...

I do not know this family at all, but I just read this post and I am praying for this precious little one and his family.

McNabb Clan said...

is this the same friends we know too? are they in our city? plz let us know if we can help. we have a local dr. friend in town that might be able to help. praying heaps, ali

Laura said...

Oh my! I'm definitely praying!

darci said...

praying right now.

Mindy said...

We will start praying immediately for this little one and his parents.

Stephanie said...

My heart is full and my prayers are frequent for this baby and his mommy and daddy tonight...please keep us updated.

Shay said...

praying

Anonymous said...

My family and I are praying for this dear one and his lovely family. I will also ask for prayers at my ladies bible study group today.
Mrs M

flyinjuju said...

I will be praying.

HISchild said...

Praying in Michigan.

Ellen

Shank Family Adventure said...

Praying...I hope all goes well and the little one gets the care he needs. Kari

Jess Connell said...

Thanks everyone.

It is encouraging to have people praying everywhere... and to know that so many of you know our friends.

God has sustained his life through some serious blows. Today is a critical day, as they hopefully are traveling out to a world-class city where they can get the help he needs. Pray for the weather to allow flights with no delays, and for patience and overwhelming grace for the mother as she has to fly commercial airlines with their daughter while the husband flies with their son.

May God continue to sustain them and provide for them by His grace as He has done for us and so many others.

Brent and Noele said...

Praying in Germany. Thanks for keeping us posted.

Anonymous said...

Praying!!!

SouthAsiaRocks said...

Praying! Please keep us posted!

Stay at Home Gourmet said...

I have been praying since I saw this Wednesday. Thank you for the update.

Holli T.

Patricia said...

Jess, I pray for this little one and his family!
Patricia

Anonymous said...

What a nightmare. I have said the Mi sheberach (Jewish prayer for those who are ill or in need of healing) for this whole family.

Laurie B

darci said...

thank you for the update. will continue to pray and check back.

Anonymous said...

Great news!

She should be able to get her milk supply back up through frequent pumping.

There are also some herbs (like fenugreek) that can help. Can someone get her some "mother's milk" herbal tea to drink regularly?

She should avoid licorice, which can decrease milk supply.

Laurie B

Anonymous said...

My family and I were in this exact same situation last year. My otherwise healthy eight month old suddenly became ill on November 16, 2007 and lasted until December 7, 2007. She was continually misdiagnosed. She was intubated and sedated due to a viral infection. They told us that she would not survive but we believed the report of the Lord. We too had an older child to care for while wrestling with what was truly a test of our faith. I encourage this family to stand firm and watch as well as pray. Physicians "practice" medicine. But, the Great Physician, The Giver of Life, formed that body and knows its innermost parts. God still heals!!! You can view a short powerpoint of her testimony here: God Still Heals

Stay at Home Gourmet said...

Praise God he's nursing!!!!

I am praying for his continued healing and their faith and energy as they wait to go home.

Holli T.