The Rev. James Jones traveled to the University of Alabama Medical Center in Birmingham on Oct. 7th for his routine check-up for cirrhosis of the liver, when doctors noticed a problem that prompted them to admit him into the hospital.

Little did the Mt. Olive community resident know that a few days later he would be on the brink of death.

“My liver began to fail and I had problems with my kidneys,” explained Jones. “I was in bad shape.”

Jones, who was diagnosed with cirrhosis when he was hospitalized at Wesley Medical Center in Hattiesburg in February 2007, knew he would probably need a liver transplant at some point during his treatment. But in October he didn’t know his condition had deteriorated so much he was in immediate need of a transplant.

Neither did he know God was already working things out for him to have the life saving transplant operation within a matter of days.

“When you are in need of a liver transplant, you usually are placed on a list to receive the transplant,” said Jones. “You did have to wait for until a compatible liver is found. Sometimes it takes months and even years.”

Jones’ wife, Deborah, with excitement in her voice, noted: “God fixed it so we were there at the hospital on a Wednesday and he received the transplant on Sunday. No one but God can do something like that!”

Yet while she rejoices in the fact that her husband received a liver and is doing well, she is sorry that someone had to lose his or her life to make it happen.

“I pray for the family of the donor,” she said. “I am so thankful that they were willing to donate the liver of their loved one. It’s because of their unselfishness that my husband is here today.”

Both of the Jones said their experiences have cause to rethink the whole donor issue.

“I was one to say that when I died, I wanted to be buried with everything God gave me in tact,” said the minister. “Where would I be today if the person whose liver I have today would have felt that way?”

Deborah Jones added that both she and her four children are now supporters of the donor program. “I’ve decided that what’s the use of taking a part of my body to the grave that can be used to save someone else’s life. A donor save my husband’s life and I can be a donor to save someone else’s life.”

Both Jones see the handiwork of God in the situation they found themselves in. The pastor of, Greater Harvest Ministries, a church he started in June, the Rev. Jones said when he tells people that God is a miracle working. He can now tell them they are looking at one.

Deborah Jones said the incident has also strengthen their marriage and the family bond of their four adult children and 10 grandchildren.

“We are so thankful,” she said. “Because of an unknown donor, I have my husband, my children have their father and my grandchildren have their Paw Paw.”