In September of 2020 Jacy and Diego Avila received devastating news in regards to their first pregnancy, a fatal diagnosis for their baby boy they had already named Rownan Amir Avila. The following months leading up to his due date in February of 2021 would be filled with a range of emotions, day to day, moment to moment. Feelings of heavy sorrow and deep pain, but also of inspiration and the miraculous. With every barrier Rownan broke through and every new milestone achieved, his incredibly strong heart beat remained and continued to beat well beyond diagnosis expectations, up until literally the moment he was born. Defying the odds, after months of countless people praying for this baby boy and his parents, he entered the world alive and with that heart still beating.

Jacy and Diego were able to embrace their beautiful boy, kiss him, and with tears express to him their deep love for him and thank him for how much he had forever changed their lives. Through the entire pregnancy and up until the moment Rownan was born, Jacy and Diego leaned on the Lord for strength and committed their hearts to trust God's plan no matter the outcome. Their own faith, during this unimaginable circumstance, inspiring countless people in their lives and all around them. As Rownan's heart continued to beat for a couple of minutes, great-grandparents, grandparents, and aunts and uncles were blessed with the opportunity to surround Jacy, Diego, and sweet Rownan in a family embrace. All wept, but all expressed their love for this incredible baby boy that had changed all of their lives forever. In that moment, as Rownan's heartbeat began to fade, Jacy looked up to her entire family in tears but with complete clarity, and told them they had to live for God and make it to heaven so they could all see Rownan again someday. She expressed not only her faith and trust in God, and not only her hope in eternity; but in a moment of the deepest personal loss a mother can experience, she expressed her unselfishness and love for those in her life. She made it clear that God had a plan, that the end of this road, no matter how difficult at times, would lead into Heaven with the Lord if they remained faithful until the end; and she pleaded with her loved ones to remember Rownan always, and to use him as motivation to seek the Lord with all of their heart. The experience was quite indescribable for those who were there, and incredibly powerful. This is the touch and the power of God experienced through Rownan's life.

On February 15th of 2021, Jacy and Diego welcomed their beautiful boy Rownan Amir into the world, and just moments later they had to say goodbye. His life was a miracle and his parents would do it all over again 1,000 times despite the sorrow they've felt, because the love and joy they experienced for 9 months was worth it all and then some. It is not always the overall time spent on earth that really matters in the end, but rather the impact left with the time given to live. Rownan has already impacted countless lives in just 9 months, his life truly became a move of God in those that learned of his story, and Jacy and Diego know this is just the start. They know  that their story, and their wonderful baby boy, will continue to minister to countless souls in the days, months, and years to come.  For that, they are extremely grateful. They are still trusting in the Lord, one day at a time, as their emotions once again fluctuate from moment to moment; but they know He will give them strength as the need it, and most importantly they know that Rownan is in the hands of Jesus. They look forward to the day they meet their son again. 

Please keep Jacy and Diego in your prayers, as they know and believe that prayer works. As they try to move forward to the best of their ability, they will need time to grieve, to slowly heal, and to process it all. Part of that grieving process will require Diego to take time off from work, and beyond even just needing to maintain an income for their basic daily needs, other expenses related specifically to the loss of their son may arise. Please consider making a donation to Rownan's wonderful parents so they don't have to worry about finances in the coming weeks. It would be greatly appreciated by them, their family, and God will indeed bless those that give out of the kindness and compassion of their hearts. Again, prayer is the most impactful tool in supporting Jacy and Diego, so even if you are not able to give please keep praying for them.

We love you Rownan, and we thank God for you! We will see you soon buddy! You finished the race and are better off then the rest of us. You ran into eternity, innocent, pure, and beautiful. We've all got work to do, and we know God used you to wake us up to that fact, but we will keep our promise to God and to you. See you soon...