The last few months, everything seemed to be going well, very well. Friend Sunday in May was a success with over 50 visitors to church; Sports Bible Camp reached almost 50 teens; weekly attendance in Youth Group is averaging over 30; the new Kids’ Bible Club started with an attendance of 47 kids; the Luke Bible Study had 16 in attendance last Tuesday. Every week, almost 100 villagers enter our home to study God’s Word. Every week, believers are being strengthened in the faith and unbelievers are hearing the Good News. We are truly excited to see what God is doing in this village.
Amidst all this, it seems that God wants us to pause. This past Sunday morning, as I, Stephen, was finalizing my Sunday message, Ginger came falling down our hard ironwood stairs. She came to a sudden stop after slamming her head into the wooden door at the bottom. I threw my papers on the floor and ran to where she lay, her neck was in an awkward position as her head still bore the weight of her entire body. Immediately, I was concerned that she might be paralyzed. Thankfully, we were able to get her out of the tight landing area and to our couch. Her head was bleeding and her right arm was very, very sore.
After getting her to the couch, I proceeded to get everyone up with the words: “Get up and start packing. We need to get Mom to the hospital.” After an hour of packing, loading the vehicle, and notifying two believers of the situation, we started the three-hour drive to the hospital. Praise the Lord, at 10 am we arrived at the hospital. Five hours later and five x-rays later, Ginger was released with the diagnosis of no broken bones.
However, it was a long night for Ginger. She was still in extreme pain and did not sleep well. After consulting with a friend in the States, we decided Monday morning to go see a different doctor for a second opinion. Immediately, he saw in the x-rays what the ER didn’t see: a fracture just below the elbow. Thankfully, the bone was still in-line and she doesn’t need a cast. We aren’t excited to hear the news that Ginger’s arm is broken but we are thankful to finally know why she was in so much pain.
This morning, Tuesday, Ginger tells us that she slept much better and the pain has subsided a little. Also this morning, the bruises are now appearing with color. Just on her face alone, she has five bruises: her forehead (where she hit the door), her chin, her cheek, and two black and blue eyes. Sorry, but I will “dwell according to knowledge” with my wife and not share a picture with you all.
Please be praying for us, especially for Ginger’s healing. She says she doesn’t remember the fall, but she might be experiencing the event over and over in her mind. The first night, I kept on dreaming the fall and seeing her lying on the floor. Truly, it is amazing that God protected her from a more serious injury.
Through this fall, we feel that God is pushing the pause button. We have decided to remain in Puerto for a week for Ginger to heal and to wait for her check-up. As a result, we have decided to cancel all our Bible Studies for two weeks. The believers will still meet on Sunday and I have spoken to one of them to prepare a message. This will be the first time ever, a believer is preparing his very own message with no guide or outline from a missionary. We pray that this accident will be used for God’s glory and the believers will see the need for themselves to be more active in the church.
Thank you all for partnering with us through prayer.
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