FamilyCare-in-Cancer

Joel Brown, a much loved 15 year old young man in our Church family, was diagnosed with a brain tumour yesterday (Wednesday 7th November). He is very much in our thoughts and prayers, as are his brother Jake (11) and his mum and dad, Marion and Dave.

Joel has been transferred to the Royal Children's Hospital in Belfast. A CT scan has shown that he has a large tumour on the back on his brain, very close to his spinal cord and the spinal column. A full MRI today (Thursday 8th) will determine more accurately the nature of the tumour. He will have complicated and difficult surgery tomorrow (9th November). This has all come as a shock to the family as you can imagine. We want them to know that we are standing with them and kneeling for them now and at every step of this journey.

My colleague, Pastor Davy Hume, and I spent the morning with Joel and his family - and captured a few pictures for you so you can keep them at the in your prayers at this time.

We want to assure the family of our love and support and we know that lots of people want to help in whatever way they can. Last night and this morning our young people had extended times of prayer for Joel and his family and we have already set up a prayer diary online so we can provide continual prayer support to Joel and the family (more details below.)

We would ask you, and as many people as you know, to mobile support for the Browns. Can I suggest the following:

1. Please send Joel and the family a message here - they are reading this page.

2. Please offer practical support. We are helping with meals, transport, helping with Jake and anything else that is needed. You can contact Karen Lennie, my PA, directly through her email karen@dundonaldelim.church, or via her mobile if you have it. She is coordinating meals and practical help for us.

3. Please be sensitive to the family - feel free to send them messages if you have their details but they will be communicating primarily through me to ease pressure on them. I'd ask you not to expect a reply from them and to stay in touch with this page for updates or contact the Church Office. Please be careful about language too - we want to encourage and support the family and be sensitive to them at this difficult time.

4. Please pray! We are asking God to completely restore Joel to full health. Please join with us in that prayer. We are thankful that potentially dangerous swelling in his brain has been dealt with effectively without the need of invasive surgery. We are praying for peace for the family, for strength and the gift of faith for them all and for protection. We are also praying that the tumour will be contained and not have spread to the spinal column. We are also asking God to enable enable the complete removal of the tumour without any side-effects for Joel. We are asking God to heal him - either miraculously or through the care of the medics. Therefore we are praying for real skill and sensitivity for the surgeons and nurses too, as the surgery Joel will undergo is very delicate.

To help you pray, we have arranged a few things:

Prayer Calendar

I have set up a 24-hour prayer calendar. This will run for as long as we need it to and you can book a slot to pray. You can access it by cutting and pasting this link into your URL:

https://www.24-7prayer.com/…/228669109aa3ab1b4ec06b7722efb…/

You can book in to pray for an hour, or for as long as you want as often as you want. You do not need to register to join the prayer calendar, but you can if you wish. Just click on the link and choose the slot you want to pray, then click 'book a slot' and add your name. If you want to pray when someone else is praying, then just book the slot and you can add your name as an additional intercessor.

Day of Prayer - Friday 9th November

Joel will almost certainly have surgery tomorrow (Friday) at some point, and we will be opening the church from 8am onwards for those who would like to come and pray for him and his family. It will also be a day of Fasting for those who would like to join with us as we sharpen our spiritual senses and give extra time to seek God.

Special Prayer Meeting - Friday 9th November 10pm - Midnight

I will be leading a special time of prayer for this family on Friday 9th November from 10pm - Midnight. Come when you can and leave when you must. All are welcome.

Pastor Davy Hume and I are leading on the pastoral care of this family and our young people during this difficult time and we would value your prayers for the whole Church family at Dundonald. God is powerfully at work in our fellowship and we would ask you to stand with us as we kneel with Joel and his family.

We are so grateful for Dundonald Elim Pentecostal Church . At times like this, you see the heart of a church - and we are seeing beauty, faith, unity, passion and love. May God continue to hold us in His hands as we hold this precious family before Him.

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible tomorrow - please check here for regular updates.

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Rev Malcolm Duncan F.R.S.A.

On behalf of Dundonald Elim Leadership Team and the Brown Family