Read about the Room 423 Bibles Project, as told by Rachel George.
Room 423 Bibles started, as most things do, with a simple gesture.
Our friends Jeff and Tiffany were in the hospital with their 5 year old son, Thao. We drove over for a visit, keenly aware that things were very serious.
What do you bring friends that are sitting helplessly next to their child in the hospital?
Before we left, we rummaged through some shelves and grabbed the Jesus Storybook Bible that we read to Thao and his friends at church. Week after week, we had read stories from this book. We were amazed at the depth and beauty within the words and pictures. This was no simple children’s Bible. This was special. The book was handed over to Jeff and Tiffany. They read Truth to their beautiful son as he lay in the hospital bed of Room 423. Weeks later, he went from the arms of his mother into the arms of Jesus. In the midst of great sorrow, Jeff and Tiffany grieved and processed in a beautiful way. Their friends and family learned so much from their dependence upon the Lord.
Three years later, we found ourselves in Room 423 with our 5 week old son, Clive. He was on the same life-sustaining machines. This room was reserved for the most critical patients-- those in need of miracles. We couldn't hold him, for fear of damaging the tubes connected to his heart. All we could do was hold his hand, rub his head, read to him, and sing to him. We read the Jesus Storybook Bible, almost in entirety, to him. We wept as we read the story of Abraham and Isaac. We begged God to save Him, as He saved Isaac. We held our son with open hands, entirely dependent upon God for our strength in each moment. Jeff and Tiffany came and worshiped with us in Room 423. We felt the peace and presence of Jesus with us. Would the story end differently? Would redemption and healing happen in this room? Not in the way we expected. Instead, Clive was fully healed in heaven. Clive lived for 5 weeks, and went into the arms of Jesus.
At his funeral, we sang worship to God and thanked Him for the hope of heaven. We read the story of Isaiah and Revelation from the Jesus Storybook Bible, as they seemed fitting. There is so much truth in the words that the author, Sally Lloyd-Jones, pens:
"And, one day, when he comes back to rule forever, the mountains and trees will dance and sing for joy! The earth will shout out loud! His fame will fill the whole earth--as the waters cover the sea! Everything sad will come untrue. Even death is going to die! And he will wipe away every tear from every eye. Yes, the Rescuer will come. Look for him. Watch for him. Wait for him. He will come! I promise."
"And the King says, "Look! God and his children are together again. No more running away. Or hiding. No more crying or being lonely or afraid. No more being sick or dying. Because all those things are gone. Yes, they're gone forever. Everything sad has come untrue. And see--I have wiped away every tear form every eye!" And then a deep, beautiful voice that sounded like thunder in the sky says, "Look, I am making everything new. "
Dozens of families left Clive's service with Jesus Storybook Bibles. A memorial fund was established in memory of Clive and Thao to purchase Bibles for families in difficult situations. Hundreds of families have been blessed by a simple gesture.
Over a year after her brother went to heaven, we welcomed our baby girl, Winnie Joy, into our family. We had so much hope that our story was going to be different this time, but Winnie was also sick. In our time with her in the hospital, we read and sang to her, held her, and loved her so much. Winnie passed away suddenly at 9 days old. We cannot understand His ways. Our hearts are full of sorrow and lament. But as we read the Revelation story at another child's funeral, we continue to cling to the hope of God making all things new.
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Although Room 423 was a place of sorrow for our families, it was not a place of despair. Jesus was near to us. Jesus was near to our children. And although we grieve deeply, we desire to turn that sorrow into something beautiful.
We desire to share Jesus with children and families that find themselves in similar situations. Our goal is to provide a Jesus Storybook Bible for these families, with the hope that through it they might see Jesus in dark times.
Each day, there are hospital wings full of parents sitting beside their children.
What do you bring friends that are sitting helplessly next to their child in the hospital?
You bring them the Truth-- in a simple, children’s storybook form. The child will hear the comforting voice of their parent reading aloud, and parent and child will experience the comforting love from their Father in heaven.
In memory of our children:
Jeffrey Thao Nardoni
August 25, 2006 - January 13, 2012
Clive Samuel George
April 29 - June 6, 2015
Winnie Joy George
August 12-21, 2016
Mission Statement:
Room 423 Bibles is a ministry of Connexion Church in Danville, Illinois. We provide Jesus Storybook Bibles to chaplains, children’s hospitals, hospitalized children, and grieving families. We desire to share Jesus with children and families that find themselves in difficult situations. Our goal is to provide a Jesus Storybook Bible for these families, with the hope that through it they might see Jesus in dark times.
If you'd like to stay connected with our ministry, please follow us on facebook.com/room423bibles for more updates and subscribe to our email list below.