A fascinating scene is described in God's word in Acts 16. The Bible tells us in Acts 16:25, "But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God..." To completely appreciate the beauty of what we read, understanding the situation and all the circumstances surrounding this event is necessary.
In the shortest form I can, here is the situation facing Paul and Silas. Having followed what they were confident was the will of God, they traveled along with Luke and Timothy to Philippi. As the gospel of Jesus Christ landed in Europe for the first time, God brought individuals to faith in Jesus Christ and set them free from the bondage of sin. One of those individuals was a young slave-girl. When her masters realized their hope of profit was gone after Paul had cast out the demonic spirit in Jesus' name, they dragged the two of them before the magistrates and charged them with causing chaos and seeking to proselytize the Romans. Without a trial, without any witnesses being called, without even having the opportunity to speak on their own behalf, Paul and Silas were condemned and sent to be beaten.
Accused on trumped up charges, condemned without a fair trial and beaten with many blows, you might think it was over. But even then the two were cast into the maximum security portion of the prison and placed in stocks which caused great pain and likely prevented any rest.
In that moment, we read that "...Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God..." They didn't turn on God. They certainly didn't blame God. Instead, they worshiped God. They lifted high the wonderful, awesome and majestic name of our God. While we might be likely to say to God, "I was serving you and obeying what you had asked me to do and this happened. If that is what I am going to get when I do what you ask me to do, I'm out!"
This passage has been a great source of comfort, encouragement and challenge over the past several days. I pray that our lips and lives would not cease to sing His praises and offer up prayers of praise to our God. He has been better to us than we ever deserve.
Today we received a phone call from Duke sharing with us the result of the roundtable discussion of the doctors, nurses, medical workers, etc. Micah's tests and evaluation have been successfully completed. As a result of their meeting and discussion in relationship to his test results, Micah was given what is called a PELD score. PELD stands for Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease. According to UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing), the nonprofit organization which coordinates organ sharing among transplant centers, the PELD score are determined by verifiable medical data and indicates the patient's risk of dying while waiting for a liver transplant. The range of scores typically 6 to 40 (though sometimes scores exist outside of this range). The lower the score, the lower the risk of dying while waiting for transplant. The higher the score, the higher the risk and typically the more diseased and sick the liver and patient.
Micah's PELD score is 27. It was hard hearing that news mainly because it indicated what we were seeing in the decline of his health.
The only hurdle currently for him to be placed on the national organ transplant recipient list is some labwork. When a patient's score is over 24, the last blood taken and tested cannot be beyond 48 hours old. Micah's last blood drawn was last week. Therefore, when we return to see Dr. Berman this Thursday, he will have labs done once again to finalize this process and allow him to be placed on the list.
Also on Thursday, I will begin the screening process to be a living donor. I'll have a meeting with a different doctor, followed by having labs. Should there be no issue or red flags from these labs, the next test would be a in-depth MRI of the liver to see the lobes of the liver to insure I would be an anatomical match.
Please be in prayer for us this Thursday, specifically at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Micah's appointment is in the morning; mine follows at 1:00. Pray for Micah's health to be sustained during this waiting process (or for God to heal him if it be His will). As his health declines, it isn't uncommon to have a number of hospital stays.
If you would also pray that there would be no hurdles or roadblocks with my health, my liver or my ability to be a living donor. Most every parent knows that you would be willing or would do anything your child needed if it were in your power. From the moment we learned that a transplant was likely and that a living donor route may be possible for Sarah or me, I have wanted to give part of me so that my son may live.
Some may wonder why a father would take such a risk when he has two other children. But it wouldn't matter which one of my children it were, I would do it for any of them. However, it may never be needed. God could still heal him with but a miraculous intervention or a non-living donor organ may come available, which would be transplanted instead of going to living donor route. But I cannot think about my son needing what I have to potentially give and yet I am unwilling to give it.
We again thank you for praying, for giving, for encouraging and for loving our entire family. May the Lord incredibly touch and bless each of you today for your gracious and generous heart.
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