Cvvh (dialysis) has started again. BJ's numbers remain fairly consistent. No rain. A Physical Therapist has begun to work with his limbs. We are told that when he awakes, he won't even be able to put his finger on a button until his muscles are retrained.
Throughout most of this ordeal, Deanna and I have realized that Jesus Christ is truly being glorified! We are so thankful for that. We know that BJ was ready to face what was coming. His journal has revealed so much to us about what God is doing in his life, and how He was preparing Beej for this.
One of the things I fear, is that another parent will look at this situation, and say, "No way is my child going to the mission field...look what happened to BJ!" Having worked with students for many years, one of my frustrations has been parents who won't let their children "GO." The experience they gain, the way the Lord changes their lives is unbelievable...it is a work of God that we should never stand in the way of. He removes their focus from self and pulls it up to His gaze, His desires, and they suddenly get why they are here.
Yes! Look what happened to BJ! But, behold, the Lord God who is Holy, has been brought Glory, and Honor and Praise. That is why we were created...to bring God glory. BJ understands this. Please read his words:
..."The worship service in the evening was even more incredible as God is driving me deeper and deeper into Him. For a few years I have known that a time would come when I would need to humble myself and fall facedown before God so that He could truly use me. God brought me to that point and showed me that it isn't because I can, or because I will, or because I am good, but because He is worthy that I follow Him. Tonight I promised to give Him my life to do with as He pleases because only He is worthy. I gave my life to instantly obey Him. In a sense I rededicated myself to Him for missions...
Body of Christ, Bj is not an excuse for not going...but an example of why we should go.
May Jesus Christ be Praised!
Beej's dad
posted by Pray for BJ @ 12:08 PM
33 comments
33 Comments:
Praise God!!!! You are absolutely right, and at the same time, Bj shows us all where we need to be if we are not already there. ....completely at the Saviours mercy. God cannot be glorified unless we are willing to let Him be glorified through us. It's great to see Bj is doing better, and we will pray for speedy results from the treatment he is getting. I am also praying for "rain" and that his kidneys will start doing what they are supposed to do. I was glad to hear he is off the nitric oxide, and will pray that he will soon be able to be switched over to a "normal" breathing machine.
Love to you all
How right you are Brent - I pray that Andrew will run hard after God when he is older. BJ will certainly be a great example of what a young man should be for our son. We are still praying diligently for "rain." We love you all - Jes, Todd & Andrew
Heavenly Father, Thank you for showing yourself to me. I pray for all of the doctors that they will have knowledge and wisdom to help BJ as much as possible. Lord, I pray that you are being glorified throgh this and I pray that your will be done. Lord be with the family because this is not an easy time for them. I pray that they focus on you and all that you have done for us and done for BJ. Thank you for the amazing ways you have moved people through this situation.
Amen
October 1, is BJ sixteenth birthday. Why don’t we “bloggers” set a goal on that day BJ receives 1,000 birthday cards. The address we need to send it to is:
BJ Higgins
C/o PICU
St Vincent’s Hospital
2001 W86th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46260
Get your youth groups, families, senior adults group join us in
Project “HAPPY BIRTHDAY BJ.”
BJ gets it! I just wish that everyone else would too! We aren't here on this earth for our own selfish desires...but to bring glory to the Father, and for that reason alone!
Heath
Lord,
Please let BJ's kidneys rain today!! Let the pour! Please help BJ to recover swiftly when he wakes up! Just keep him in your hand and do not let go of him! I want to thank you for the wisdom that you have given my brother and my friend. Thank you for placing him in my life. Thank you for letting me see his passion for You on the mission field. He taught me a lot!
Amen
Your family continues to amaze and challenge the very core of my being! Thank you for your ability to point every situation to the glory and honor of our Heavenly Father. May you be blessed today and always. May God restore every function in BJ's precious body.
Lori Burkert
Zionsville
What an AWESOME God we have!! How great it was that He was preparing BJ for this journey, even if he didn't know it!! You cannot imagine the impact your son and his faith has had on my life! What an amazing young man. We are still praying here, and I pray that a hurricane will happen in that room! It is an amazing gift from God that he is getting off all those machines. God is so AWESOME!!!
To all the doctors and nurses that are taking care of BJ and seeing all the miracles that are occuring in that room--I pray that you will "see" the Lord in that room, and see HIs love and grace and mercy, and that you will experience it yourself by giving your lives to HIM and becoming Born Again. That is one of the reasons that precious boy is in that hospital... to touch YOUR lives with the love of Jesus! Know that you are being prayed for, and that when you give your lives to the Lord, the angels are 'partying' in Heaven for you! :o)
God bless all of you, and we pray that his kidneys will overflow, the doctors will figure out what this infection is, and that his lungs are healed. God is good and HIs timing is perfect. We love you all!
Linda Anderson
Willows, California
Amen!
We continue to pray.
Love in Him for His glory,
McMahans
Brent-
I couldn't agree more. When the girls and I have been talking about BJ, the girls said they didn't want to go out of the country on a mission trip. It really scared them that if BJ could get sick like this, they could too. I know they are only 10 & 12, but I really tried to instill in them that they need to really listen to what God is telling them and if it is to another country and we have the means to do it, then that is what they should do. Following BJ's journey has been such learning experience for all of us, young and old. He is definitely glorifying God throughout this. We continue to pray for those kidneys, for his healing and for continued forward progress. Hope you both are having a restful day.
The sun is out here now, but more "rain"is to come later today, hoping that is the case for BJ, also. Love you guys.
Love, Nancy
Praise the Lord for physical thereapists and their desire to see patients return to full use of their bodies. May the Lord bless you in your work with BJ.
What a testamony both you and Deanna are to the goodness of God. Through your faithfullness to the Lord and stickability I pray that many have their eye's opened to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
You said "one of my frustrations has been parents who won't let their children "GO." I know you were referring to the mission field, but God calls us to let our children "Go" in so many other ways as well. When I first arrived in the States last March my second eldest daughter came with me (18). We discovered that because she was 18 she could not seek residency with me, she was seen as an adult.The Lord showed me that I had to let her go back to Australia, that it was all a part of His plan.
Many times letting our children go is more painful for the parents than it is for the child, but we need to remember it is all a part of the plan that God has for their lives, and we all know that the plans that God has for all of us are plans of a future and a hope.
Thank you for sharing BJ's words with us once again, lets join together and pray that the body of Christ will grasp the understanding that BJ has and run with it all for the glory of our Lord.
In His Love
Linda Ronne
Shawnee,OK
I thank you for your wisdom in this situation. It is so easy for parents to try to hold on to our children, as if they are ours to hold on to, when truly they belong to God. My daughter went to Panama with AweStar this summer, and I was hesitant at first. When she asked, she told me to pray about it before I answer. God definitely answered with Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you, I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." We, as parents, did not create our children and give them a purpose in this life, God did! Our desire as parents should be to raise our children up to accomplish the purpose God has for them. Thank you, Higgins family, for your example. We are praying sometimes hourly, but at least daily for BJ's recovery. As another person said, we are praying for a hurricane in his room. We have plenty in the ocean ... we are praying for one that has good results, instead.
Cheryl Wright
Columbia, MO
Dear Brent and Deanna,
Your latest entry prompts me to share something with you. It is in no way an effort to take any credit myself but I want you to know that what has happened to BJ has in no way changed our minds about letting Heather go to the mission field. Please indulge me as I share briefly our story.
When Frank and I married we knew that we would not be able to have children of our own but I was confident that if God wanted us to have a family He would provide one for us. I prayed Hannah's prayer saying, "God if you will give us a child we will give her back to you." And God answered that prayer and brought Heather to us. The day we were able to pick her up from the hospital I prayed, "Lord, let me always hold her with an open hand. She is yours first."
In the 9th grade Heather went on her first mission trip to Honduras and when she came home she told me that she knew God was calling her to be a missionary. I marveled at how God answered my prayer of so long ago. She has since been to Honduras 3 more times and then this past spring she was introduced to Awe Star and went to Mexico. She came back more passionate than ever about the mission field. Then came Peru. Wow! What a life changing event. She came home more ready than ever to give her entire life to God and whatever His call was for her life. She was blessed to have become great friends with your precious BJ and his influence caused her to grow to a brand new level of her spiritual life. I praise God that she has had the opportunity to serve--right behind BJ lol, as she is the one right behind him when they were the dragon...;-).
All this to say, do not fear. God calls our children and we stand in awe to see them give themselves fully to Him, for His glory and for furthering His kingdom. Come what may, they are His first. What can we do but trust and obey.
In His love,
Toodie--Awe Star Mom, Peru 05
St. Charles, MO
Thank you for being a reminder to us of just how awesome our God is. Your faith astounds me! Please know that the Asbury Seminary community is in daily prayer for BJ, and that we hope someday to meet him in person. God bless you all as you travel this rough road in the journey.
Such a powerful testimony! BJ remains in our prayers and thoughts. His dedication to and wisdom of God's way is an inspiration and a huge nudge to all of us to fall down at God's feet, wherever we are, whatever we are doing, and seek his will in our own lives. May God hold all of you, BJ, his family and friends, the medical staff, in His arms and comfort and guide you as only He can.
Prayerful Love In Christ,
Kyle and Shannon
Los Angeles, CA
Brent....
I couldn't agree with you more. Many have asked me or pointed out to me, especially non believers, "So ever since you have received your call it has been one battle after another. His Word says.......
17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems his servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
Paul has offered my answer......
7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Tears fill my eyes as I write this but I tell you from my heart if I could choose to have health but not be called over being called my answer would ALWAYS be....Bring on the Thorns !!! For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Thank you do very much Brent and Deanna for sharing BJ and his journey with us. We agape you.....
Phil ( a Jew saved by grace)
Praise God Almighty for his gracious love and mercy!!!!
God Bless you BJ for LAYING yourself at the cross of our Lord and Savior...
May the Lord continue to carry you through your journey that he has laid out for you and your family.
Blessings to each one of you.
Your Sister in Christ,
Mary
Praise the LORD.
I thank the LORD for families like you guys. Families that have the faith to place their children in their heavenly Father's hands. My parents allowed me to GO to Peru with Awestar two years ago, and God has used that experience in so many ways to glorify Him.
Daddy, give the team of doctors wisdom and discernment. Give BJ and his family a renewed strength. And please make it rain. I love you.
In your Son't healing name,
Amen
Jill
Chattanooga, TN
My husband and I have been in the ministry for 18 years. Both as Evangelists and as Pastors. In all these years I have never come across a young man such as your son. Tears stream down my face as I read from his journal. Oh how pleased Jesus must be with such a sweet, willing, servants heart. This young man is such an amazing example of what having a heart for Christ is. May God continue to use him mightily.
We are praying without ceasing for BJ and your family.
Youngstown, Ohio
Dear Ones,
Slow but sure, Beej is getting there. Brent and Deanna, I thank you that you have let your children "GO." I hope others will continue or begin to let their children go as well. Oh yeah, let er' rain. Remember Deanna, only one per day!!
KPO
Elsie Jay
How can we say "no" to the man that gave his only son. That allowed us to take care of his children for him. He trust us as parents to encourage our children to follow him. How are they suppose to do that if we are putting up stopping blocks.
What if we allowed them to yes to Jesus as often as we allow them to yes to Sports, dance and anything else they are involved in. Our son Michael is a Cross Country runner this year and he is also a track runner. He puts alot of miles in everyday 2 before school and at least 3 after. I pray that he has the desire to run way more then that for our Heavenly Father. This past Saturday we traveled about an hour for his team so he could run a 2 mile race, he was very proud to of taken 3 mins. off his personal best. He discovered that all that practice gets him ready to be able to finish a race like that. See, you get out what you put in. I can only pray that he will have the desire to practice this much for our heavenly father. And, if he practices shouldn't we as parents allow him to use what God has given to him.
Our daughter played her first Volleyball game last Thursday. Her team lost 2 out of 3 games. She came home very discouaraged and her pride was very hurt but that doesn't mean we aren't going to send her back out there.
We should be sending them out on Jesus' football fields, tracks, cross country meets and soccer fields and putting in the practice for him. These places are going to be on the other side of the world where ever God is calling your child who are you to say no?
Okay, that is my soap box, sorry..
I think that BJ would be very sad to know that people would use this as an excuse not to let thier children go out into the world and share the Lord's Love. This is suppose to Glorify our Father not be used as an excuse...
May BJ's life continue to bring honor and glory to his heavenly father.
We are praying here in KC we love you all Tracy Leaf
That is my soap box on the above comment I hit the wrong button..
I've thought about what parents would think when they read this blog. My personal responce to them would be something like "It shouldn't matter if your child gets sick! If it's God's will, it's God's will! Let them go if they are called. Who are we to stand in the door and not let them go do His will?" My personal experiance in Peru was awesome and it changed my life. I have no regret about going and would go again in a heartbeat! Plus you get to meet awesome friends like BJ! What is there to lose in going anyway? Okay well, now that I've rambled on... :) Glad to hear BJ is off another machine! Praying for his therapy and for his kidneys. Hope the rest of the day is "uneventful" for you all! God Bless!
Ashley Dawn (peru 04)
Bixby, Oklahoma
EVERYONE must remember that hundreds of teens and adults go to the mission field in the summer, and hundreds others give their lives to serving on the field and do not get an illness such as this. NO ONE should ever hold back from what God wants to do in their life because of this. But I know many could and might. I am so tired of hearing people say, "just send the Bibles, you might get a disease." Thank you for speaking up about this!!
I am thankful that you have used BJ, Father, and I pary that you keep continuing to use him.
Amen
Kim
Hannibal, Mo
HLG
Brent,
You are right, and Praise God for children like B.J. and parents like you for allowing your child to go and spread the word of God in a totally different country.
Thank you so much for the comment about parents still letting their children go on the mission field. I want to be a missionary and I am planning on going to Brazil for a small mission trip this december. My mom was hesitant about me going. She said it was because of me missing so much school, but I suspect it was something more. Yesterday she told me she would let me go. Before that I had been very frustrated because I knew God was telling me GO! So thank you for mentioning that to parents.
I'm still praying for BJ all day everyday.
-Sarah
Always praying. And it's amazing how BJ is touching people even in his state.
Much love and prayer,
gizele
carmel
Praise God! Such was our response after 9/11 when others said "Surely you won't let your daughter leave the country on mission trips now!" We responded that God's will for her didn't change because of bad things happening and that we'd rather have her anywhere in the world in God's will than at home in disobedience. Thank you for your encouragement and faithfulness. May God bless BJ with a God-sized healing.
Clay and Kathy Burkholder
Pauls Valley, Oklahoma
I appreciated you comment about letting God have your children where He wants them, as we are raising our four children in Bolivia (one is already out of thenest!) At one church we visited in the US, someone asked how we could take our children to a third world country. Shortly after that, 4 teenagers from their community were killed in an alcohol related accident. No safer place to be than under His sheltering hand.
Praying for you!
Niki Elliott in Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Amen on the missions thing! I was able to take a team to El Salvador this summer (the same time BJ was in Peru)to do medical missions and we took a group of teens to do evangelism while the patients waited. My two daughters, age 16 and 19 were a part of the team.
People would ask, " aren't you afraid to let your daughters go...." My response was the safest place on this earth for my children is in the center of God's will...no matter where that is.
The peace the Lord provides in the midst of political unrest, armed men on the streets, and concern of illness is amazing as you realize that this is where God has called us to be. You could not bein a safer place.
I encourage any parent to let your child follow the Lord's lead. Many of us dedicated our children to the Lord soon after birth...this is that dedication in action. Thanks again Brent and Deanna for making your lives so vunerable now. May our Lord continue to give you His peace and His rest at this time.
I appreciate your willingness to share and will have to say that I was hesitant in sharing BJ's story as well for that reason, but the Lord impressed upon the unconditional love of a child for His Father. That is what these kids have.
My daughter is an Awestar Missionary as well and I think she was afraid to share it with me. Afraid that I would be reluctant to let her go again. I happened to run across one of her emails about BJ and came to this site to see what was going on. I think it gave her an opportunity to share BJ's story and comfort to see my reaction and my steadfast support for her. When I forwarded BJ's story on to the prayer chain, I was sure to point out the willingness of these young adults to lay down their lives for their Lord. And that is truly what they do. Wholeheartedly and without reservation. It is a risk when our kids go on these trips, but it is also a risk for them everyday at their local high school. And I wouldn't give anything for what my daughter has gained through her experiences.
I'll tell you a little of her story and try not to embarass her too much. Raysha comes from a blended family and first generation believers on my side. She attended a private Christian school until 7th grade, when she was moved over to the public school here in Utah. I'm sure you can understand the spiritual battle there. As she hit puberty, she became very rebellious and started getting into worldly things. That was the first year we met Walker Moore and heard about Awestar Ministries. After Walker spoke at our church in March 2003, we talked to Raysha about possibly going on a trip the following year. We felt she needed to grow up some before embarking on such a mission, literally. Walker, however, told us that this was the time for her to go and that the trip would mature her. We had our reservations, but we let her go. Raysha was 14 at the time and everyone thought we were crazy for letting her go. They said she was too young, but I thought what an amazing experience for her to have.
Needless to say, Raysha came back a very mature 14 year old and like you said she "got it". I can't express the joy that brings.
Raysha is now 16 and back from her 3rd mission. This year was even better than the first. This year, God showed her His plan. While in Thailand, He spoke to her clearly about His call for her to be a medical missionary. She's now a junior in high school taking high school and college courses, taking a Certified Nursing Assistant course, and planning to return to Thailand next year. I know now that her future is secure and she is setting the standard for the next generation.
So is the risk worth it? It is worth her eternal life. I don't even want to think where she would be, if she had not gone on that first trip. Thank you Walker for your encouragement.
And thank you BJ and family for taking a stand for what you believe in. And for your continuing faith. I hope you receive as much strength from us as we receive from you. And I know that BJ is going to be an amazing man for all he has been through and has yet to go through. Even though Raysha hasn't been on a trip with him, he has made an impression on her and she looks forward to seeing him at Awestar again.
Tonna M
Layton, UT
Thank you for saying that. I truly believe that people should look at BJ's situation and decide to go on a missions trip! I continue to pray for BJ but I thank you for showing those who couldn't see it, another perspective.
Love,
Lauren
Dear Brent & Deanna,
Thanks so much for the encouragement!!! I must say as a mother of one of BJ's Peru team members (Brooke), I have definitely experienced a concern as she already wants to go on more trips yet even when we have spoken of that concern, she feels so strong and shakes her head no and says, guys that is the last thing BJ would want to happen is for people to be fearful of the mission field and she has begged us to keep an open heart and God has given us up to this point a real peace, because we know fear is not from the Lord. Thank you so much though for encouraging everyone in that way as well! Many of us were talking at church Sunday about how excited we are to get our shirts in the mail soon and how we are so amazed at how he is pulling through! We continue to pray for your daily as we know the road is long ahead of BJ still but PRAISE GOD for his faithfulness and His healing hands thus far! This website has been such a blessing in our lives and we are telling everyone that will listen to us about it because I believe the strength given to you by the Lord is so evident and LIFE changing!! God bless you all tonight and yes, we will pray for rain!!!!
The Rice family
Oklahoma City, OK
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