This website was created for the benefit of Miles and Ashley Ferguson. The purpose of this site is to provide friends, family and brothers/sisters in Christ with accurate information on the current developments in South Carolina. God's grace has continued to carry Miles & Ashley through this tribulation, but they are still in much need of your prayers and support! Please stay in touch with this site as we will be posting up-to-date information and needs that will require your help as we all pull together in support of this precious family!
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LETTER FROM MILES & PATTY FERGUSON
To All Of You Wonderful Supporters,
For several months now, Patty and I have wanted to somehow try to thank all of you for your prayers and support over the past 2½ years; for Miles Lee, Ashley, and our entire family. The support and prayers of literally thousands of folks from as far away as California, have provided strength and encouragement to carry on through the darkest hours of our lives. To go back to the day that Mylee stopped breathing, we were bombarded with what seemed like a continuous flow very painful events that lasted for more than a week. During those days, all we seemed to be able to do was just ask Jesus for help. I believe it was during this time that the fervent prayers of so many of you, many we never even knew, made a difference in our situation. We never doubted God during those days, but I have to admit that we were wondering why all of this was happening; and when would it end. When we heard about the candle light vigil at Tracy Park the evening after Mylee passed, as dark as things were during those days, our hearts were so stirred by the description of what had taken place that evening. We understood there were over 600-precious folks that turned out that night, to pray and show their support for Miles Lee, Ashley, and this family. That was so powerful! All we could do was cry that night, but God was with us.
We want to thank each of you for the petitions with thousands of signatures, the cards and letters, and the emails you sent to the Horry County Law Enforcement, the Judge, the County Jail, and our Attorney; the week that Miles Lee was incarcerated. All of this actually made a huge difference in the amount of the bond placed on Miles Lee. The bond was extremely low, which made the cost affordable for us. God was with us.
We want to thank each of you for blessing this family with prayer, food, encouragement, and financial help during the days surrounding the memorial service for Mylee Grace. Before a proper grieving process could even take place, we had to begin focusing on the legal charges against Miles Lee. As dark as those days were, we could see how God began sending people into our lives that we never even knew, to help us prepare for what was ahead. God was with us.
Many folks have shown us such wonderful acts of kindness during this ordeal. The concert and silent auction held at Clay High School. Folks greeting us around town with a hug , letting us know we were in their prayers. People buying dinner for Miles & Ashley when they would be seen in a local restaurant. Many times, meals were paid for without our knowing who did it. Cards of sympathy and support came continuously. Those reaching out with gifts and money to help with the expenses.
I can’t tell you how many times a card, an email, or a phone call would arrive with the exact words needed to lift and encourage, exactly when it was needed the most. The list goes on and on. I can’t tell you how much it meant to have the support of so many wonderful people who believed in Miles Lee’s innocence. God was with us.
We want to thank all of those who prayed many hours of the day and night, fasted meals, and did all you knew to do to reach heaven for God’s touch on this situation. We’ve heard from so many churches that faithfully lifted this family up in prayer each week. We have had so many folks tell us that they have never seen something touch so many churches before. We have come to know so many wonderful people through all of this. You will never know how much it has meant to hear of the prayers of so many folks. God certainly was with us.
Several months before the trial was to begin, our Attorney suggested we try to get a group of people to come to Conway, South Carolina and show their support during the trial. Two very special men had a burden to try to make it financially possible for as many supporters that were able, to make this show of support in South Carolina possible. Through the tireless efforts of Jeff Chinn and Gary Chaffins, fund raising events and donations raised thousands of dollars, making it possible for over 150-people to travel to South Carolina and be a part of this wonderful support group for Miles Lee. Through some blessed negotiations between Jeff Chinn and a Motel in the area, the funds collected paid for the motel expenses for the supporters. The motel was nearly filled to capacity with supporters for Miles Lee. God was with us.
To those of you who traveled to South Carolina to show your support and belief in Miles Lee’s innocence. The sacrifices you made, and your acts of love and kindness will never be forgotten. Many of you stayed the entire time of the trial. There were family members, dear friends of Miles & Ashley, friends from different Churches, friends from our places of work, and some we have known for just a short time; who made this trip. I know that many of you missed work without pay or used up all of your vacation time to be there. Many left family and children behind to be there to show your support. Some used their Christmas money to help make the trip. Sacrifices were made by all. Your presence was so powerful, not only to the community; but also to this family. The first day of the actual trial was a very difficult and long day. I knew Miles Lee and Ashley were drained as we left the Courthouse that night. Little did we know that waiting outside in the darkness were dozens of supporters, sticking around to offer encouragement to the family. We were just blown away at the show of support that night. We expected everyone to be gone after a long day outside. That act alone was so powerful. You will never know how much that meant to the family that night. After that night, supporters were there every night, waiting to offer a hug and encouragement of the difficult days; and to celebrate with us on the good days. God was with us.
The stories we heard from so many as to what was going on outside of the Courthouse during the trial were incredible. It was obvious that God was not only touching those supporters, but also, through those supporters, touching the lives of folks entering and exiting the Courthouse each day. We have heard from employees in the Courthouse, as well as folks from Conway and Myrtle Beach, at how they have never experienced anything like this before. Many have said how their lives have been touched. It is obvious that God not only was at work in the Courtroom, but through the lives of the faithful supporters outside as well. After we got back home, a local resident told us the walls of that Courthouse have heard many prayers over the years; but they have never heard songs of thanksgiving and praise! God was with us.
This show of love and unity from all of the supporters was so overwhelming that all we could do was ask God to bless each one of them for all that they were doing. When we would come to the Courthouse each morning, and leave each evening, all we could see were smiling faces. Even in the cold and rain, these folks looked like they were blessed. God was with us all.
We know there were many who wanted to make the trip and be a part of this support effort, but were just not able to go. We understand, and thank you as well. We know that you kept this family in your prayers daily. God bless each of you.
We want to thank the Pastor and folks of Grand Strand Baptist Church, for your love and hospitality shown during the trial. Little did we know that this church behind the Motel where all of the support group stayed, had connections with folks from Portsmouth, and Rubyville Community Church. Not only did this church allow us to worship with them, but they provided meals for the support group; and took up a love offering for Miles & Ashley. We will never forget the love and support shown by the wonderful people of Grand Strand Baptist Church.
To all of the Churches that had special prayer during the days of the trial, we want to say thank you! We have heard from so many folks whose Churches took time out in their services to have special prayer for this family. That means so much to this family. We believe God’s heart was touched by this show of love and concern for one of His own. Please know this, when you are in need of prayer, we will be praying for you too.
We want to thank the wonderful people of Rubyville Community Church. We know the entire time we were in South Carolina for the trial, there were prayers going up literally 24-hours a day. Pastors Cal-Ray Evans and Brian Baer left several messages of prayer and encouragement on our cell phones each day. Patty and I also want to thank a very special group; the Live Wire Class at Rubyville Community Church. These precious little ones prayed specifically for Patty and me each day.
We gained so much strength through the prayers of these little children, reading the messages they wrote to us, and the scriptures they provided. I have no doubt that these precious children touched the heart of God with their expressions of love. Our prayer is that God touched your hearts in ways that you will never forget.
To all those that testified on Miles Lee’s behalf, we want to thank you too. Pastor Mark Bales, Russ Kegley, and Dustin Pendleton; we will never forget your kind words and the wonderful testimonies offered on behalf of our son. Our hearts were touched deeply. The family members, Jennifer Walker and Sandy Huff also presented powerful testimonies on Miles Lee’s behalf. And, Faith Coriell was there to testify as well, if needed. May God bless each of you is our prayer.
To those Doctors who spoke in Miles Lee’s defense, Dr. Ron Uscinski, Dr. Janice Ophoven, and Dr. Jones. We thank each of you from the bottom of our heart. You took all of the facts and findings of this situation, and put them together to show in simple layman’s terms what actually took the life of little Mylee Grace. God knew who would be needed for this situation, and we give Him the praise for bringing all of you into our lives. God Bless each of you, is our prayer.
We want to thank Millie Wescoe. Millie heard Miles Lee’s cries for help that day Mylee stopped breathing. She was the first person to respond to the room that day, to offer her help to Mylee. Her testimony in the trial of what she observed that day was so compelling. We feel God placed this special lady in our lives at the exact time she was needed. Millie, we love you! God bless you.
We must also thank a very special young lady who has also suffered great loss and heartache throughout this situation. Ashley, we love you. You have stood by Miles Lee from day one; never once doubting his word. The testimony you offered that day touched our hearts, as well as those in the Jury. I know there was much more you could have, and wanted to say; but God blessed every word you offered. You too, will always have our love and support.
To our Attorney, Morgan Martin, and his wonderful support team. We have always felt that God led us to you. We have never hired an attorney like this before, and we had no idea how to even find someone to defend our Son. God not only led us to an Attorney, He led us to the finest Defense Attorney in South Carolina! We are so grateful that you took this case, and you believed in our Son’s innocence. We’re grateful for the hours of time you poured into building a strong case to prove to the Jury what really happened to little Mylee Grace.
I asked you from the beginning, to work on my Son’s behalf, as if he were your own. There is no doubt in my mind that this is exactly what you did. We will never forget you, Fifi, Mary Ashley, and George. These are the finest folks in South Carolina! We love you all.
We also want to thank the Horry County Sheriff, the Deputies, the Courtroom Workers, and the employees of the Horry County Government Services Building. Despite all that was going on during the trial, these folks offered comfort and care to our family and the group of Supporters. Your acts of kindness will never be forgotten.
This family has also been comforted with so many encouraging emails from folks in Horry County. Your words of kindness have touched our hearts. Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers.
To our family members who literally stood by our sides throughout this entire ordeal. Your love and show of constant support will never be forgotten. God has blessed us with such a wonderful family!
To our dear Christian family we have worshipped with over the years. Your prayers, acts of kindness, show of support and love has touched us deeply. We thank God for bringing us together. God has made us rich with the love of so many wonderful Christian brothers and sisters.
And finally, we want to thank all of those wonderful folks, over 500, who braved the cold and late hour of November 20, to welcome this family home. This was just overwhelming! You will never know how much each of you have touched our lives. All we could see were hundreds of smiling faces, and many tears of joy. God bless you all!
During the days of the trial, God revealed several scriptures that gave us comfort and strength. One scripture I carried into the Courtroom each day was Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not, for I am with thee. Be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Other encouraging scriptures: John 14:27 “Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them; for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
My favorite scripture was the one revealed to me, the last day of the trial: Isaiah 51:11 “Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head; they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.”
I shared this scripture with the family the last morning of the trial, and told them this is the scripture of the day. How true this scripture proved to be.
This situation has changed each of our lives in many ways, but the most powerful change has been in our relationship with God. We have learned to lean on Him, trust in Him, turn to Him, look to Him for strength, thank Him for wonderful friends, and praise Him for being in control. We draw strength in knowing that Mylee Grace is with God, and her Christian family who has gone on before us. We know that someday, we too will hold her again.
This Gaither song has literally come to life in our family:
“Well I thank God for the mountains, and I thank Him for the valleys, I thank Him for the storms He’s brought me through. For if we’d never had a problem, we wouldn’t know that He could solve them. We’d never know what faith in God can do.
Through it all, through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God. Through It all, through it all, I’ve learned to depend upon His word.”
May God’s love touch your hearts and change your lives as you celebrate His blessings with us, is our prayer for each of you.
We love you all!!
Miles & Patty Ferguson
P.S. God is still with Us
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NOTICE: This site (www.support4milesferguson.com) is the only site that has been approved by the Ferguson family. Any information that is found elsewhere and that is not posted on this site should not be considered as "accurate" information. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact or email us:
Gary Chaffins
gary_chaffins@hotmail.com
(740)357-1847
or
Jeff Chinn
circlecfarm08@verizon.net
(740)981-6584
(740)776-1346
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