This is Pastor Jones writing.  I am writing on behalf of the senior pastor, who is currently with a hurting family as they deal with the (impending) death of a young child.

I have only been pastoring here at Christ Community Assembly of God Church for just a few months; yet I already feel like I've come to know quite a few of the families who come here.  Such as in the case of the Kent family.

The Kent family is the family I am thinking about now.  They have over forty children (most with serious health issues or special needs); however, the love they feel for their brood is most evident, and considering the mother (Kendra) is physically disabled herself, their story is even more amazing.

Kendra's newly adopted daughter, Holly, now lies in a comatose state at St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis; it is only a matter of time before she goes home to Jesus.  She went into the hospital a few days ago, and she's been on a downhill slide ever since.  This situation is getting to be very dire.

Holly has cancer.  She is barely a teenager, just a young little thing.

I have been on my face in prayer, asking for a miracle for the child; she has already been through more heartache than what most people go throughout an entire lifetime.  I have also been asking God to be with the Kents as they deal with this medical crisis.

Just a few days ago, life was normal; then we got that terrible phone call a few days later, and now the entire staff is on edge, on standby, to see what will happen next.  If Holly lives, that is God's will, but if she dies, that is His will as well; He's the one in charge; we shouldn't question Him.  It's all in His hands now; all we can do is pray, hope, and wait.

Yesterday we could tell that there was an air of grief in the sanctuary:  we could feel it.  We prayed for friends of the Kents; they are very close to them.  It was a very emotional moment for all involved.

Well, the phone is ringing, so I'd best go answer it.  Hopefully it will be news concerning young Holly Kent; I pray that God's granted this family a much needed miracle!  I will write in here again (if not me, then one of the other staff members will); in any event, you will be kept abreast of what is exactly going on.  Take care and may God bless you mightily; say a prayer for the Kent family!  They could really use the prayers!

~Sincerely, Pastor Rick Cledus Jones.  :(