Zion Coutouzis' Funeral costs
Donation protected
Update: August 5th 2020
I just lowered the goal to $8,000 as some other people have given George and Devon money outside of this fundraiser. Once we raise $8,000 anything given over that will be used to help support him while he is furloughed from Answers in Genesis.
Update: August 4, 2020
After 16 months of life the Lord called Zion home on August 2nd. His funeral has been scheduled for August 13th in Florence, Kentucky. My brother has been on Furlough since Covid hit so he has been out of work. He hasn't received unemployement because of a data breach in the State of Kentucky's employment benefits department. As a result they are hurting financially. This will cost them somewhere in the neighborhood of $10,000 to bury their son. I have reactivated this account for funeral costs since Zion has passed.
As I write this I am reminded of an ancient Greek word that is defined in Scripture as "encouragement". The word is παρακαλέω (parakaleo). Paul said in Colossians 4:8 that he was sending Tychicus "that he may encourage your hearts". Encourage is Parakaleo. It combines "Para" (close beside) and "kaleo" (to call). Properly, "to call to one's side" or better stated, "to call to one's aid". To paint it as a picture, think of it as a person who is injured and you see them laying on the ground. You immediately help them up and put their arm around your neck and carry them to the doctor. You came to their aid and are helping to bear their burden. As the church, we glorify God when we come to the aid of those brethren who are in need. It is an amazing grace to behold this in the church. I would like to ask that if any of you are willing and able, would you consider coming to their side and helping to carry them through this time of grief? You just don't know how much George and Devon will appreciate this.
In Christ,
Thomas
The picture is of my nephew Zion John Coutouzis, born on March 18, 2019. It is chromosomal disorder called Trisonomy 18 where his body produces an extra chromosome of 18 (3 instead of 2). It causes genetic defects in the body. Here is a link for a better understanding.
https://www.trisomy18.org/what-is-trisomy-18/
My brother George and my sister-in-law Devon found out about this early in their pregnancy. They understood that Zion might die in the womb as 50% of these babies typically do, but that didn't dissuade them from carrying the baby to birth. Being faithful servants of Christ they were resolved to do this. In our conversations they understood that God uses trials to perfect His children. They welcomed the beautiful blessing of this precious baby and the adversity that would accompany him.
My brother works in ministry. As you can imagine, ministry doesn't pay very high wages. They are not making enough to cover their bills each month (and they are very wise with their money), so as you can imagine they are at the mercy of God to meet their needs. Zion is their 3rd child, all under 5 years old. In honesty, they don't have the money to pay for any of the hospital expenses they will incur from the NICU or from the surgeries that seem to be needed. (insurance may not cover some things). They don't have the funds to pay for a funeral either. They are completely dependent upon the grace and mercy of our sovereign King. There really is no better place to be because it is where our faith is stretched and we experience the Lord in the midst of our sufferings. He can sympathize with our struggles, "For we do not have a High Priest (Christ) who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15
George and Devon want to thank those of you that encouraged me on Twitter to start a Go Fund Me page for them. They are grateful that people that they don't even know would care about their well being and the well being of their son Zion. If you are so led by God, please give without feeling under any compulsion because the Lord desires a cheerful giver. We have been all shown so much grace by the Lord, so I ask that you would consider helping Zion and his family who are part of the body of Christ.
Please keep George and Devon in your prayers, especially Zion, who will be enduring many trials himself in this life. God is good!
I just lowered the goal to $8,000 as some other people have given George and Devon money outside of this fundraiser. Once we raise $8,000 anything given over that will be used to help support him while he is furloughed from Answers in Genesis.
Update: August 4, 2020
After 16 months of life the Lord called Zion home on August 2nd. His funeral has been scheduled for August 13th in Florence, Kentucky. My brother has been on Furlough since Covid hit so he has been out of work. He hasn't received unemployement because of a data breach in the State of Kentucky's employment benefits department. As a result they are hurting financially. This will cost them somewhere in the neighborhood of $10,000 to bury their son. I have reactivated this account for funeral costs since Zion has passed.
As I write this I am reminded of an ancient Greek word that is defined in Scripture as "encouragement". The word is παρακαλέω (parakaleo). Paul said in Colossians 4:8 that he was sending Tychicus "that he may encourage your hearts". Encourage is Parakaleo. It combines "Para" (close beside) and "kaleo" (to call). Properly, "to call to one's side" or better stated, "to call to one's aid". To paint it as a picture, think of it as a person who is injured and you see them laying on the ground. You immediately help them up and put their arm around your neck and carry them to the doctor. You came to their aid and are helping to bear their burden. As the church, we glorify God when we come to the aid of those brethren who are in need. It is an amazing grace to behold this in the church. I would like to ask that if any of you are willing and able, would you consider coming to their side and helping to carry them through this time of grief? You just don't know how much George and Devon will appreciate this.
In Christ,
Thomas
The picture is of my nephew Zion John Coutouzis, born on March 18, 2019. It is chromosomal disorder called Trisonomy 18 where his body produces an extra chromosome of 18 (3 instead of 2). It causes genetic defects in the body. Here is a link for a better understanding.
https://www.trisomy18.org/what-is-trisomy-18/
My brother George and my sister-in-law Devon found out about this early in their pregnancy. They understood that Zion might die in the womb as 50% of these babies typically do, but that didn't dissuade them from carrying the baby to birth. Being faithful servants of Christ they were resolved to do this. In our conversations they understood that God uses trials to perfect His children. They welcomed the beautiful blessing of this precious baby and the adversity that would accompany him.
My brother works in ministry. As you can imagine, ministry doesn't pay very high wages. They are not making enough to cover their bills each month (and they are very wise with their money), so as you can imagine they are at the mercy of God to meet their needs. Zion is their 3rd child, all under 5 years old. In honesty, they don't have the money to pay for any of the hospital expenses they will incur from the NICU or from the surgeries that seem to be needed. (insurance may not cover some things). They don't have the funds to pay for a funeral either. They are completely dependent upon the grace and mercy of our sovereign King. There really is no better place to be because it is where our faith is stretched and we experience the Lord in the midst of our sufferings. He can sympathize with our struggles, "For we do not have a High Priest (Christ) who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15
George and Devon want to thank those of you that encouraged me on Twitter to start a Go Fund Me page for them. They are grateful that people that they don't even know would care about their well being and the well being of their son Zion. If you are so led by God, please give without feeling under any compulsion because the Lord desires a cheerful giver. We have been all shown so much grace by the Lord, so I ask that you would consider helping Zion and his family who are part of the body of Christ.
Please keep George and Devon in your prayers, especially Zion, who will be enduring many trials himself in this life. God is good!
Organizer
Thomas Coutouzis
Organizer
Fuquay-Varina, NC
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