IN GOD'S HANDS...

Two evenings ago a conference at Jefferson took place with Vera's doctors and nurses. The reports from the MRI and EEG were in. Quietly, David entered the room. The tension was palpable. Lori was called and put on speaker phone so she could be part of the conference. Dr. Solarin, neonatologist, began. He gently told daddy and mommy that Vera's tests did not come back as everyone had hoped. Dr. Brill, neurologist, stated that the MRI showed that a large amount of fluid had collected (hydrocephalus) and was putting pressure on parts of the brain, actually moving sections into different areas (herniation). The EEG showed minimal electrical activity from the cerebral hemispheres. The neurologist stated that there is some brain swelling as well as significant brain damage in a large part of her brain, but she is NOT brain dead. Vera still has some reflexes. What they believe Vera has is HIE, Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy. They do NOT know when the injury occurred.

A few encouraging things that the doctors said were: 1)that some of the swelling that Vera experienced MAY go down after day 5. The docs said when there's damage to the brain, the swelling peaks between days 3-5 and then starts to go down; 2)They also said that the cooling therapy went well and 3)Vera's heart and all other organs appear unaffected by any damage. 4)The best news was that they all admitted that they have been wrong before. These are pieces of HOPE that we are holding onto.

The most amazing part of this meeting was David's testimony to power of God that we cannot comprehend. He asked each person in the room, "Can you fix Vera? Can you heal her or change anything?" Each doctor, nurse, practitioner, manager, and fellow said, "No." He then proceeded to share from the Bible how God is sovereign and has brought us all to this point, to this gathering. David prayed for Lori, for Vera, and for the group that they would all go forward seeking God's face; that God would move and perform a miracle in Vera's body; that God would show us all the impossible, Matthew 19:26. It was a bittersweet prayer that affected many in the room---tears were shed.

The conference was held by man and conducted by man. However, what man failed to acknowledge was that we were "surrounded by a great a cloud of witness (Hebrews 12:1)", that the Great Physician was in control, watching. He was waiting to see and hear the testimony of His child, to see how His child reacted when faced with an impossible situation, to see faith flourish. It was awesome.

When daddy and auntie went back to Vera's room, scripture was read and specific praying took place. The passage from Matthew 17:14-21 reminded us that sometimes God does the healing only after we have taken the time to fast, pray, and beg for His intervention. Also, we were reminded that as children of God, we war against the powers of Satan, we fight not against flesh and blood, Ephesians 6:11-19. Vera reminded us to ask God specifically to bind the powers of Satan and his followers and claim Christ's sacrificial blood to cover and protect Vera. She belongs to God and He is holding her. We must challenge ourselves to commit to fasting and praying (Joel 2:12-13) to allow Christ victory over the impossible--to heal Vera. Please open your hearts to God's leading. Allow Him to transform your life as He is transforming Dave's and Lori's lives.

Lori was discharged yesterday and was able to see and touch Vera for the first time. Praise God for reuniting mommy and precious baby. Dave and Lori have some tough days ahead of them. They will come up against some difficult decisions. Pray that God gives them clear direction. Vera's story is NOT done yet. Christ is still writing. Lord, help us NOT jump ahead of Your leading, of Your timing. Guide us through the "Valley of the shadow of Death" Psalm 23. Thank you for what You are going to do. Forgive our unbelief; help us to believe (Mark 9:24). We place everything into Your hands, just as we are instructed to in Psalm 55:22, “Cast thy burdens upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Amen.

We encourage all of you to take time to look up the Bible passages that are listed in each of the updates. God's power comes through His Word. How can we know it if we don't read about it or investigate it.