A Grandmother's Mission

The following is written by my mother. I include it for the purpose of showing that during our lowest points, people were standing in the gap for us and for Daniel, in an incredible way:

"During these days of darkness, something amazing was happening, prayer. Wes’ long time friend set up a web page just for Daniel, telling his story, and keeping people updated on the latest issues, and it had a page where people could send prayers to Daniel. They were coming in from worldwide.

This was all happening just prior to Christmas, 2001, and I sent out, just with my limited Christmas card list, stars with Daniel’s picture on it. I asked that people hang the star on the Christmas tree as a reminder to pray for him. I also asked that, if they would like to, they make a star and write a prayer on it for Daniel, and send it to him.

Soon the stars started coming in. The people who initially received the request started telling their friends and families, and they in turn were spreading the word as well. Stars were arriving daily from all over the country, sometimes in large envelopes with dozens at a time. Some of the most precious prayers came from a class of children, simply praying, “God, please make Daniel get well.” Some of the prayers were mighty and prophetic, as the prayer warriors stepped up for action.

On one occasion, a friend of mine from high school, with whom I kept in contact but had not seen in 30 years or more, walked into a women’s ministry luncheon at her church in California, and said that there were stars all over the tables with Daniel’s picture. The ladies were asked to write a prayer for Daniel. She remembered the Christmas card, and realized, “Oh my, this is my friend’s grandson.”

Another friend from Colorado said that she had heard on their local Christian radio about a little boy named Daniel who needed prayer for healing.

At a point when Daniel was in the hospital, I strung all the stars on a string and brought them to hang all around Daniel’s bedroom. The stars stayed there for a few years and covered Daniel in prayer.

One friend of mine, Ann, worked at a local Portland hospital, managing the cleaning service for one of the floors. People from all over the world worked under her management. They were sending word back to their home churches in Russia, Africa, Mexico, South America, China, Viet Nam, the Philippians and more. The home churches were declaring healing for Daniel. One day, Ann was walking down the hallway and observed a group of workers gathered in the break room praying for Daniel. They all took up a collection and wrote cards to Daniel in their native languages and asked that Ann deliver them to Daniel’s parents.

The prayers continue to this day, as people are reminded of Daniel’s journey. There is a band of prayer warriors, who at a moment’s notice, lift Daniel to the throne of God, whether for a crisis or for praise and thanksgiving for all that God has done."