Fellowship Memphis

While considering whether or not to have a third child, Chris and Amy Manguso started a prayer journey that they could not have anticipated. After deciding to leave the outcome up to God, they were excited to find out Amy was pregnant. A few weeks later, complications caused the celebration to turn to fear.

Thinking that they were experiencing a miscarriage, they sought medical attention. The problems were caused by a chorionic hematoma, a gathering of blood in the womb that usually resolves on its own. However, the hematoma persisted and actually grew. Amy was put on bed rest and went to the doctor weekly for ultrasounds.

One ultrasound revealed some abnormalities, and the Manguso’s went to see a specialist. They were told their baby might have Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a CMV infection, or Down’s Syndrome. A blood test ruled out CF and CMV, but the only prenatal test for Down’s Syndrome is drawing fluid from the womb. Chris and Amy decided not to do the test because it could harm the baby.

As their prayer journey continued their initial trust was challenged. Why was God allowing problem after problem when they had sought His will about having another child? They agreed to take their questions and doubt to God. “We just had to keep trusting and keep going and keep trusting and keep going,” Amy said.

Amy’s water broke at 32 weeks. She was admitted to the hospital to hold off labor and to be given medicine to mature the baby’s lungs. After several days and a few more complications, Owen was born on July 11. He came out with a healthy cry, and Chris and Amy were overjoyed. They cried and prayed, giving God glory for this miracle.

Owen spent 31 days in the NICU learning how to eat and maturing enough to be able to maintain his body temperature. He came home needing to gain weight and still struggling with breathing while eating. On October 3, he was able to join his family at Fellowship for the first time. While his obstacles are not over, he is healthy and thriving.

Chris and Amy have come to know the difficulty of trusting God in the midst of the uncertain. The story He is writing in their lives still has unpredictable turns ahead. However, the faithfulness and presence of God throughout the last year has caused their fear to turn to hope as they anxiously anticipate the plans He has for their family.