AT THE MISSION

Hi Everyone … now that we’re into July and half the year is over CrossRoads Missions continues to progress in achieving our ministry goals.  Our Appalachia field has more mission trips scheduled this year than any year past.  Our Mexico field has suffered some due to the Swine Flu scare and along with some concerns over border/drug cartel violence – but the ministry continues on, and our New Orleans field continues to serve the cause of the Gospel in the aftermath of the devastation visited upon this city several years ago.

In addition, we continue to make headway monthly on the ministry financial front working down our debt through frugal management of our financial resources.  We have settled into a fairly quiet summer of activity that we attribute to our team simply taking care of the day-to-day activities of ministering the Cause of Christ where we serve.  This is in spite of the global financial trend that is affecting everyone everywhere.

God is so good to us, kind and faithful to give us the opportunity to represent Him in our daily walk in life, our work, our ministry – in all that we have opportunity to do.

AT HOME

Similarly at home we have settled into the day-to-day activity of our lives as the lazy summer days arrive save for one recent event that occurred this week on July 1.

Jim was riding his bicycle to CrossRoads Missions office – only a 7 mile ride – through neighborhoods and main streets.  As he was going downhill in a neighborhood and preparing for a 90 degree left turn, looking down the turn road to be clear of oncoming traffic, he mis-judged his speed and position.  By the time he looked back forward it was too late, he was headed straight into a concrete curb.  He was able to move his front wheel slightly so that the curb grazed it. In doing so his right side pedal smashed into the curb.  An eye witness said they saw him hit the curb, go down and begin rolling across the street;  finally coming to rest in a neighbor’s yard, several “good Samaritans” where there to take care of Jim awaiting the arrival of the ambulance.   One of the Samaritans phoned Phyllis – and she got there quickly beating the ambulance, too!  Jim was secured and taken to UofL Trauma Center.

After 10 hours in ER (the length was mostly due to other emergencies that arrived while we there that were of a higher priority) Jim was wheeled out with a reset out-of-joint left pinkie that was also broken (discovered after the final xray), a sprained left ankle, 20 shots of lidocaine and one tetanus shot, 3 stitches in his upper lip, 5 stitches in his right elbow, numerous bruises around his body and numerous places of road rash around his body the worst being on his right fore elbow.

As we write this email he is now able to shuffle around the house, and has quite a bit of pain and wonderful looking upper lip.  The road rash, is described by Jim, as “looking like beef jerky”.

We are so grateful for how the Lord protected Jim during this accident as it could have been much much worse.

We have a couple of follow-up visits with Drs next week, especially for his left hand to make sure only his pinkie is broken and to what degree that fracture is.  Jim will be mostly at home recovering for the next couple of days.

As always, we thank you for your faithfulness in prayer.  Even in the midst of what seems like normal day-to-day activity we are reminded that an unexpected emergency can happen at any moment – and for that faithfulness in prayer is so much needed and appreciated.

Jim and Phyllis

Jim and Phyllis serve as full time missionaries with CrossRoads Missions, 3231 Ruckriegel Parkway, Suite 111, Louisville, KY 40299.

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I am slowly working on mastering the skill of typing with a damaged left hand, and unused pinkie and comng along.  My hand wears out quickly so I can do computer work till that happens and then must rest.

We did not make it to church this AM due to the trouble of me walking, and needing to move my resting position frequently.  Phyllis pretty exhausted too so she is back to bed now and trust she will get several needed hours of sleep.

So here is an update while the fingers are still working… Sunday, AM, July 5th, fourth day.

I am still very very sore expect will be for some time.  New bruises still appearing daily.

So let’s start at the top…

• my road rash scratches are healing on my nose, check and chin well.
• I was able to shave all but my right lip area today due to stitches.
• Skin is pealing on nose and chin were once were scabs now gone
• Lip is still swollen and sore – hurts to laugh and smile
• Right shoulder road rash healing ok … very scabbed over
• Right elbow (5 stitches) very sore
• Right forearm worse road rash extremely sore to touch and move arm, looks worse today so bad won’t describe here
• Bruises up and down right arm and hand
• Chest pains in muscles on front left still – no bruises
• Left arm road rash scabbed over and healing well
• Left arm bruised in various places, sore muscles
• Left hand still severely bruised, and very painful … swollen lots
• Wedding band is gone cuz sawed off due to swelling, finger still really big, abrasion they couldn’t stitch seems to be healing well
• Left knee severe road rash, severe bruising
• Left ankle severely sprained and wow — what bruising all over foot, top bottom, ankles and big toe – most likely will loose nail
• Right knee inside severely bruised still
• Road rash on front of right foot at sox line doing well

That’s about it … able to walk some round house though first of day is rough getting started, and by end of day very painful.  Visited crash site last night (Phyllis was driving) — left a nice gouge in the concrete curb from my pedal — take that!  Gonna need a new pedal.  Rest of bike looks ok — will know more when I can work on it when left hand is more better.  Only other damage is lenses in my eye glasses scratched and will need to replace later.

Able to put on my own shoes and sox today — big accomplishment!

Phyl has been at my beck-and-call and is taking excellent care of me and allowing me to lean on her when needed – literally – to get around house.  She’s pretty exhausted as she has been sleeping on floor so I can flop around on entire bed during night trying to sleep – tough for me to find a position to lay in that doesn’t hurt.  Keith and Beck were very helpful while here (mowed lawn, help at hospital and just their presence) and have left now.  Erika has been a very gracious servant and helper in all respects.

See bone Dr. at 8 am tomorrow and then a visit to my regular Dr to remove stitches.  Discussing if we need to have left ankle/foot re-xrayed as bones look a bit out of place there… will decide that in a day or so.

Thank you all for your prayers and phone calls.

Lord bless… Jim