As the Katip family mourns the death of little Aiden, who died just weeks before his 9th birthday, they have chosen to bless other families with the gift of life. Dr. Bill Katip, president of Grace College and Seminary, Winona Lake, Ind., talked with a Pittsburgh television reporter following the decision. Click on the link below to watch the news story from WPXI or click here for more information.
Family mourns 8-year-old boy dead in Carrick house fire
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A fundraiser has been established at mudlove.com to help with expenses related to Aiden’s hospital stay and funeral costs. Click here for more information.
Bill Katip posted an update to his Facebook page this morning. It is shared here with his permission.
I know I usually use my Facebook for both personal and Grace Postings. But, right now I am only thinking about Aiden, Mike and the other members of our family. This is right and how it needs to be. Grace is in great shape with wonderful leaders without my time or energy right now.
Mike and Melanie decided that organ donation would be a way for Aiden’s legacy to go on. Debbie, Holly and I left Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh last night a little before midnight when they took our little guy to surgery. They had matches for several of his organs (including his sweet heart) and we are absolutely thrilled to think that his death will allow several others to live!!!
Mike is one special person. On Monday of this week when he was still in shock over what was going on, he had me take him to Mercy Hospital to see his former wife, Melanie. While there he also was in the ICU encouraging Sam (father of Melanie’s 3-year old, Collin). And, last night when we left the hospital to come to an off-site apartment, he stayed to encourage Mel and Sam as they were still there with Collin. I thank the Lord for Mike and pray that the Lord will bless him as he will have to make major changes in his life in the days and weeks ahead.
Sam and Mel and the oldest child of Sam’s three older children have been discharged from the hospital. The two older boys are out of intensive care and will likely be discharged soon. Collin remains in the PICU unit, but the prognosis looks very positive.
We will settle on the time and date for a service in the next day or so (likely next weekend) and I will do a post so you know the details. I know you will want to pray with us for that special time of celebration.
Thanks to the hundreds of family and friends who have prayed for us and taken the time to encourage us. We know you love us and your prayers are helping.
So much Scripture has been speaking to us, but perhaps Romans 8:26-27 from the Message says it best right now. “Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves.…”