Joy comes through facebook....

When I first registered for facebook I was met with cruelty by young people saying an old guy like me should not be on such a youthful networking site.

I actually erased my first posting because of it but then gave thought to the incredible tool it could be for me in my heart's desire to engage with people, minister where I could and communicate my heart of God, His love, His care, His provision...so I re-registered.

I have some friends who were missionaries with us in the Philippines. Incredibly gifted couple they took missions seriously and the work they did on the island of Mindanao always made me envious that I could not do what they did, even join them in the efforts, (mainly because I was not the same caliber of missionary at the time..).

Fastforward to the present the facebook. Bryan and Diane popped up on a suggested friends list and as funny as it seemed because I have always considered them friends from the past, I "friended" them and we have connected once again.

The other day a posting by both of them shared the news of their daughter Joy: "PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR DAUGHTER JOY - this morning, a few hours before Diane was to fly to Uganda, we received a phone call from Nashville. Our daughter Joy had an aneurysm and may have brain surgery today. It's very serious and could be fatal or seriously debilitating. Diane and I are flying to Nashville at 10:30 this morning."

I can remember Joy as a young girl with curly hair, smart as a whip and very mature for her age. As I read this I added the entire family to my prayer list and posted a small post concerning our prayers. As I prayed I linked Bryan and Diane's facebook to my alert page so when they post I would get a hit to keep me updated.

Here are the next few posts from Bryan:

"Surgery has finally been scheduled for today (Sunday) 11:00 am (Nashville time), and it can only take place if they feel that the bleeding has slowed and the brain is more stable. If the surgery is successful, it would be at least ten more days before she would be out of the woods and begin the long road of rehabilitation. Joy's 3 daughters will move in with us and we pray that before their mommy will join them."

"....The surgery today was successful - praise God. Now, prayer is needed for 2 weeks of intensive care to be sure that the platinum coils inserted in the brain arteries fully attach and the arteries heal. The doctor said this critical period is as serious as the surgery. Thanks so much!"

"Please pray for our Joy to remain and for God to use this to do wonderful things in her life and in the lives of many. We are tired and scared, but trusting God. Due to her life situation, her health insurance had been cancelled and there are many difficult and complex factors about this situation besides her fight for life. Thank you so much for your love and prayers!"

"...Joy just came out of surgery and the doctor said it was successful. Praise God! He also said that the next 10-14 days are critical as that's the period when the aneurysm can rupture and be fatal. Therefore, she must be in intensive care for the next two weeks. If you could share the great news and also the need for two more weeks of prayer, that would be such a blessing. After 14 days, if all is well, she can move in with us and we will have to take care of her and her 3 girls for probably six months of recovery. They will do periodic CT scans and checkups for 2 years to be sure there is no recurrence. We are trusting God for the next two weeks and beyond and are believing that all of this will impact life for Joy and all of us in positive ways. "

"Our dear friends and family, Joy's surgery was a success and the doctor is very positive about the results. He said that she actually had a small aneurysm 3 weeks ago and should have died, but it remained a slow leak until it fully burst yesterday. God protected her even when we didn't know that her life was in danger. We are so grateful!"

"Yesterday, the doctor explained that Joy had both an aneurysm and a stroke. It's a miracle that she is alive. He also said that he never had a surgery go so smoothly and successful in his career, like Joy's did. She is taking, and told the doctor that it's because so many people are praying for her. Please keep praying, as she is still in critical condition and weak and in much pain. We are so grateful for you all!"

"The blood that's spread throughout Joy's brain from the aneurysm and stroke is causing tremendous head pain, so they increased her morphine. She had most of her hair cut off today. Tonight, Joy couldn't move her head, lift her arm or open her eyes. She is so weak and in such pain. Please increase the prayers. It's killing us to see her like this, but I am entrusting her to God who loves her more than I ever could."

"Diane spent the night with Joy, Laura the morning shift, and I'm on day duty. After vomiting again & more pain in the morning, Joy's CT scan revealed that some of the blood has dissipated. She opened her eyes, moved her arm & talked a little this afternoon -hooray! Keep up the prayers & loving thoughts & notes! Thanks so much for all that you all are doing and for the meals on wheels! We feel so blessed by you all!"

"Diane spent the night with Joy & had 2 hours sleep. Please pray for her. She gave Joy a sponge bath & fed her jello. Joy felt a little stronger & talked a bit. Your prayers for Joy and encouraging thoughts and words to her are working! Today is Cara, her oldest daughter's 10th birthday, and she will look in the window to... see her mom. Please pray for the 3 daughters - Cara, Adia & Sarayah, & for all our strength."

And his last posting late last night:

"The wonderful hospital actually allowed us to take Cara, Adia and Sarayah in to see Joy for a few short minutes and Joy was able to tell Cara again about the day she was born and how much that she loves her! Then, we celebrated with cupcakes and balloons outside Joy's hospital window. It will be a birthday to remember for sure!"

As I reread these postings and pray I marvel how we can see God using facebook not only to reconnect me with some old friends, but to see God use it to inspire me to pray for these friends during this time. How many more people do we all know out there who could use this for not just fun and networking, but for serious fellowship and prayer...I continue to pray for the Thomas family and ask that you pray for them too. I ask that all of us look at the world around us and the advancement in technology as tools for the ever expanding Kingdom of God! Lastly I thank God for bringing me Joy through facebook!

Joy, if you ever read this, thank you for allowing me the privilege of hearing about you once again and praying for you which in turn is blessing me beyond measure!