I wrote an article about the relationship between suffering & evangelism. To read it, click here.
January 4, 2012
Suffering Evangelism
Posted by Steve Burchett under CCW - General, Williams Syndrome, Writings | Tags: China, Doug Nichols, Evangelism, Persecution, Salvation, Suffering, Voice of the Martyrs, Williams Syndrome |Leave a Comment
June 8, 2010
Helpful Disability Ministries: Joni & Friends, The Elisha Foundation
Posted by Steve Burchett under Misc., Williams Syndrome | Tags: Disabilities, Disability Ministry, Joni & Friends, The Elisha Foundation, Williams Syndrome |Leave a Comment
Joni & Friends: www.joniandfriends.org
From the website: “Joni and Friends is built on Biblical truth and the foundation of Jesus Christ. We are about advancing disability ministry and changing the church and communities around the world. The Joni and Friends International Disability Center (IDC) serves as the administrative center for ministries which provide outreach to thousands of families affected by disability around the globe.” (Click here to follow Joni & Friends on Twitter.)
The Elisha Foundation: www.theelishafoundation.org
From the website: “Justin and Tamara Reimer founded The Elisha Foundation in 2005, being spurred on by their eldest child Elisha, who has Down Syndrome. At the special moment of his birth Justin and Tamara recognized the unique call that God had placed on their lives – to minister to families of people with special needs. The Reimers want to see Jesus made much of through the unique blessing of a special needs child. After over eight years of waiting and praying the Lord opened the door of ministry to them and the inaugural Elisha Foundation Retreat was kicked off in December of 2005.” (Click here to follow Justin Reimer on Twitter.)
December 26, 2009
Williams Syndrome Article from Johns Hopkins U.
Posted by Steve Burchett under Williams Syndrome | Tags: Johns Hopkins, Lilly, Williams Syndrome |Leave a Comment
For an article in Arts and Sciences Magazine (from Johns Hopkins University) about Barbara Landau’s research and findings concerning Williams Syndrome, click here.
[HT: Williams Syndrome Web Watch]
October 27, 2009
Lilly Got Glasses
Posted by Steve Burchett under Family, Williams Syndrome | Tags: Disabilities, Lilly, Pictures, Williams Syndrome |[2] Comments
September 15, 2009
Disabilities Ministry Blog: The Works of God
Posted by Steve Burchett under Misc., Williams Syndrome | Tags: "The Works of God", Bethlehem Baptist Church, Disabilities, Disability Ministry, Local Church, Syndromes, Williams Syndrome |Leave a Comment
As most of you know, God gave us a child we named Lilly, and she was born with Williams Syndrome. Since her birth, I have sought to understand her life, and God’s purposes in disability, according to what He has revealed in Scripture. That is why I am so happy to have recently found the following Scripture-driven, God-centered, Christ-exalting, joy-producing, hope-filled blog about ministry to those with disabilities: CLICK HERE.
November 5, 2008
Lilly & Williams Syndrome: Update
Posted by Steve Burchett under Family | Tags: Lilly, Williams Syndrome |[2] Comments
We saw a geneticist yesterday. He was a very nice and sharp guy. I thought it was interesting that he didn’t 
come in and explain things about Lilly starting with the basics, he began by saying, “What questions do you have?” I appreciated that. He assumed we had done research and were aware of many things already. Of course, as with any good “teacher,” he eventually did remind us of the basics about Williams Syndrome (WS). We really didn’t learn anything new, but what we had learned previously was confirmed by an expert who has had previous experience with WS.
We’re also grateful for the occupational therapy that is offered to Lilly, and this will actually take place in our home. That is a real blessing. Three ladies were in our house this morning discussing the strategy for the next few months.
Next week, we go to the heart doctor to see how Lilly’s arteries are doing. Please pray with us that they would not narrow, but actually improve.
Click here for a little letter I wrote to Lilly (it includes other pictures with Katie, Luke, and Daddy).
September 19, 2008
Lilly has Williams Syndrome
Posted by Steve Burchett under Family | Tags: Lilly, Psalm 127, Williams Syndrome |[9] Comments
We found out yesterday. By God’s grace, we are handling the news okay. Some tears have fallen, of course. One of the first things I told Patty was that Lilly has a great mommy. We were both encouraging one another yesterday with the truth that we have a great Lord Who is wise and knows what He is doing. There are many blessings in all of this, both now and in the future. Some current blessings would include the Lord using this to cause us to trust Him more, already meeting some caring people online who have children with WS, and living in a big city with medical care close to us. We are in some ways relieved to finally know, because we can move forward trusting that the Lord has given us Lilly and designed her just the way she is. At the same time, we will pursue medical treatment for her narrowing arteries (FYI: There is no known cure for WS.) and seek to gain insight as to how to care for her. Please pray that Lilly would develop physically. We will be meeting with a geneticist at some point, and also in the first week of October Lilly’s heart and arteries will be checked again.
I am a blessed man that Lilly is one of the arrows in my quiver (Psalm 127:5).
Interestingly, I’ve seen the statistic that anywhere from 1 out of 7,500 to 1 out of 20,000 children have WS. If you are interested in reading about this syndrome, you could check out the following sites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williams_syndrome (brief)
www.williams-syndrome.org (lots of info.)
http://www.wsf.org/ (lots of info.)
September 16, 2008
Waiting on Lilly’s Test Results
Posted by Steve Burchett under Family | Tags: Lilly, Psalm 93, Williams Syndrome |1 Comment
We still haven’t heard from Lilly’s test (from last week) that will tell us if she has Williams Syndrome or not. We thought we might hear today, but the “work day” is winding down, and still no word (we have called, but no information). I thought some of you might be wondering what was the latest, thus this post. Whatever the result, “The Lord reigns, he is clothed with majesty; The Lord has clothed and girded Himself with strength; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.” (Psalm 93:1)
September 5, 2008
Pray for Lilly
Posted by Steve Burchett under Family | Tags: Heart, Lilly, Williams Syndrome |[4] Comments
Lilly has a significant heart murmur. This prompted the doctors to have a look at her heart, and they found out that her pulmonary artery and the arteries leading to her lungs are narrower than they should be. Actually, one has gotten a bit worse since her check one month ago (we were at the hospital today for another ultrasound). What does this mean? Well, she could simpy grow out of this (her mommy had a heart murmur when she was a baby). Or, since she has certain features that suggest this (along with the narrow passageways internally), she may have Williams Syndrome. Also, things could keep getting narrower, and, well, that would result in surgery.
Lilly will be going for a chromosome test soon to check for Williams Syndrome. We’ll keep you updated.
