One of my best friends in the whole world is Mark Jones. I met Mark and his wife Rebecca when attending Trtinity Bible Church in Richardson, Texas. Mark was the worship pastor and we just gravitated towards each other. He and his family are the definition of kind and trustworthy. I love him like a brother and would do absolutely anything for him. *Though he did NOT ask me to do this...)
Mark and his family have also been through some incredibly difficult trials. When their daughter, Lindsay, was just a couple years old, she was in a terrible burn accident that resulted in third-degree burns across one side of her face and body. In what can only be described as a miracle, Lindsay has been remarkably healed from this tragedy. She is growing up to be a beautiful young lady.
When their first son, Nathan, was born, the doctors discovered a hole in his heart. I don't recall if the hole healed itself or if he had surgery, but I do know that today he is a typical little boy without any trace of physical ailment.
But when their second son, Alex, was born, the Jones' did not realize that they were in for a trial unlike any they had seen before. The doctors informed the Jones' that Alex was born without normal kidney function. The doctors diagnosed him with "End Stage Renal Disease". Not good.
The doctors did not expect Alex to survive very long.
Alex will be eight-years old this November.
But these years have been more trying than you could ever imagine. Surgery after surgery. Doctor after doctor. Praying nonstop. Dialysis in the hospital. Dialysis at home. Changing a tube that comes from his bladder every two hours, including night after night. Traveling to see specialists. And surgery to remove one failed kidney, leaving Alex with just one barely functioning kidney.
Through it all, Mark, Rebecca and their family, have stood firm in their faith in God. They have not blamed Him for their trials. Instead, they have drawn closer to Him and found that His grace is indeed sufficient. Instead of whining about the tragedies that have come their way, they have chosen to see the blessings in the midst of this storm, seeking to be a light to others around them. And when you are around this family, even the biggest skeptic can see God's hand at work.
Now, Alex NEEDS a new kidney in order to live. And it will cost approximately $50,000 to cover the costs. This is really why I am writing about this today.
The Children's Organ Transplant Association provides fundraising assistance for children and young adults needing life-saving transplants and promotes organ, marrow and tissue donation. The Jones' have registered on the COTA site and there is a link where you can give a tax-deductible donation that will go towards Alex's medical costs for a kidney replacement.
I hope you will look deep into your hearts and make a generous contribution to give hope to this courageous little boy. He is already a walking miracle. His family is an example of faith in action. And I pray you will take part in helping them live out this miracle.
To make a tax-deductible contribution today, click here to help Alex get a new kidney. If for some reason that link does not take you to his page, Click here, go to "Patient Campaigns" and click on "Alex Jones".
Thank you for your support. I will keep you posted.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
October 8, 2005 06:01 PM
Hello again Joel,
I only know one thing
to tell you about this eight year
old boy. Get ahold of Bill Bowen.
He knows more information about
health than anyone I know. I am
not that young either. He lives
in Franklin, Tennessee I do
believe. I hope this boy
gets good help. I wanted
to post this as soon as possible,
so that maybe you could find
Bill Bowen on the web at
anywho.com or perhaps switchboard.com.
I will look soon for you/him.
Thanks.
October 20, 2005 11:02 PM
I do know Alex and he is one amazing youngster with an incredible family. "DaisEy"