There’s a currently-developing story out of our Grace Brethren church in Norwalk, California, that is both wonderful and also brings an urgent prayer request.
The story of 10-year-old heart transplant patient Josh Molina (pictured) is currently being told through the CE National Newsline (www.cenational.org) and by Pastor Wayne Ayer of the Norwalk church (http://www.gracelive.com/)
The most recent e-newsletter from CE National says, “Joshua Molina became a favorite of the Operation Barnabas teams last summer because the OB training was done at the Norwalk, California, Grace Brethren Church where Wayne Ayer is Senior Pastor.
“Josh came to the services and everyone knew that he was badly in need of a new heart. The doctors said it was essential. Josh is a wonderful Christian boy who is very faithful at the Norwalk GBC. He told his mom once, ‘I hope you won’t be offended, but my very best friend is Jesus.’
“Wednesday night Josh got his new heart. Wayne Ayer said it was eerie to sit in the hospital at 11 p.m. and hear the helicopter land and for the hospital personnel to rush in with the heart. One person dies so that Josh can have a new heart. As Pastor Wayne says, it was like Joshua was just reborn.
Please pray for Josh.
Here is a bit of the background, as related on the Norwalk church’s website by Josh’s mother, Sandra:
I have been married for over 21 years. For more than 10 years I tried to conceive but it was very difficult. After a long period of infertility treatment and surgery I was able to rejoice to know that I was expecting a baby. Thank the Lord! And I kept praying to have a healthy baby.
Around my third month of pregnancy I was diagnosed with diabetes and I followed all the instructions from my doctors to make sure the baby was OK.
When I was 4½ months into my pregnancy my gallbladder hit me and I needed surgery. It was a very difficult decision because if I had a premature baby he was not going to survive and if I did have the surgery he and I were at risk anyway. So, we made the decision trusting God to be with us.
I did have contractions but they were controlled with medication and we both survived. After that, I had a normal pregnancy and Joshua was born on July 26, 1996, at 1:33 AM and ever since he has been my two eyes and my two ears. I breathe because of him and I cannot conceive the idea of losing him.
Joshua was diagnosed about four years ago with asthma. The doctors thought it had gone away because he had pneumonia, but we were dealing with it.
In February of this year he developed pneumonia again and he was sent for a chest x-ray. It was then they discovered that his heart was enlarged. Ever since it has been bad news after bad news.
He has a condition called “Restricted Cardiomopathy” which is the worst of its kind and a very progressive disease. I took him to the doctor because he was having difficulties breathing at night and they found that he is retaining fluids in his heart. He was put on medication.
Please keep praying for my son.
