The death of a loved one is never easy to bear but we find comfort in the knowledge that we are not alone in our sorrow. Sometimes it’s during these darkest moments that we find hope and purpose and go on with life with renewed strength and faith in God.
For the family of 10-year-old Lily Mae Avant, losing their precious child to a brain-eating amoeba days after she fought for her life is just too painful to bear. It’s any parents’ worst nightmare to bury their child.
However, throughout the ordeal the parents, John and Laci, never felt abandoned and alone. They had the support of family, friends, and even strangers, who rallied in prayer for their daughter and their wellbeing in their time of grief.
These people gave powerful messages of support and hope and encouraged them to take their burdens to the Lord. Through it all, Laci and John found comfort and strength in the Christian community who united in prayer to uplift their spirit.
“Thank you, all, for being respectful of the family during this time as we grieve our loss. Please continue to stay united as a country and pray for Laci, John, and our family. Our faith in God has only been made stronger because of each of you. We may never understand why certain things happen here on earth, but we know God never left our sides. He has been right beside us and will continue to be our strength and see us through this,” Wendy Scott, a member of the family, wrote on Facebook on behalf of Luci and John.
Lily’s death will also not be in vain as the family has taken this tragedy to help save lives. The nature of her passing had to do with a brain-eating amoeba called Naegleria Fowleri that she contracted while swimming in the Brazos River in Whitney, Texas. Now the family wants to spread awareness through the #Lilystrong FB page about the risks of swimming in warm freshwater (lakes, rivers, and hot springs) where this amoeba could reside.
“We started this platform because we wanted to bring awareness to Amoeba in an effort to prevent any other family from having to go through this. Please wear nose plugs, if you insist on swimming in warm freshwater. If your child starts showing symptoms and has recently been swimming in freshwater, tell your doctor! The quicker they get treatment, the better. For more information, please contact the Kyle Cares Amoeba Awareness Foundation. Jeremy and Julie Lewis. have been our rock throughout all of this,” Scott wrote.
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Lily is now free of pain and in the arms of the Lord. She will forever be remembered by those whose lives she touched with her sweet smile and kindness. Her death brought people from all walks of life, race, and gender, to gather in prayer for God’s grace and mercy. They prayed for healing, which God gave the best he knows how, and the community continues to pray for the family, especially to John and Laci, for acceptance and courage to move on with their lives with God by their side.
Lily Mae Avant, 10, Contracts Brain-Eating Amoeba After Swim In Brazos River
Days after swimming in the Brazos River and contracting a brain-eating amoeba, a Central Texas girl is battling for her life.