December 22, 1999
Pastor's injured son now back home in Texas
___By Ken Camp
___Texas Baptist Communications
___DALLAS--There's no place like home for the holidays, and Stephen Boykin is lot closer now.
___The 7-year-old son of Eric Boykin, pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Greenville, was transported by air ambulance Dec. 15 from an Atlanta hospital to Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.
___A car hit the child while he and his family were in Georgia during the Thanksgiving holidays. He sustained serious head trauma, a bruised spleen and lung, and a broken pelvis. He also developed pneumonia.
___On Dec. 10, surgeons installed an internal shunt to drain cranial fluid and reduce brain swelling. The next day, after being unconscious for two weeks, Stephen opened his eyes and tried to respond when his parents spoke to him. By Monday, Dec. 13, his pneumonia had completely cleared.
___Jeff Phillips, associate pastor at Fairview Baptist Church, reported that while Stephen was conscious physically, he was still unable to talk or control his muscles. He remains in considerable pain.
___"Continue to pray for Stephen. He has a long road of recovery ahead," Phillips said.
___At the same time, Phillips said the Boykin family expressed great appreciation for the prayers offered and the prayers already answered. He noted that the total cost of the air ambulance was $7,000, and the Boykins' insurance would pay only $1,500. However, an anonymous donor told them to contract a flight and he would pay the difference.
___"This is how God goes before us and provides the way," Phillips said.
___A fund has been set up for Stephen Boykin's benefit at Bank of America. Contributions may be made at any Bank of America location, designated to Stephen Boykin, account number 004778909918. For updated information, visit www.netexas.net/hbrooks/stephen/.
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