“God showed His great love for us
by sending Christ to die for us
while we were still sinners.”
~Romans 5:8 NLT~
Jimmy and Retia Dukes and family
Friday, April 10, 2009 10:29 PM, EDT
Today was a busy day with Pop and more of the same with Mom.
Early this morning, they transitioned Pop out of the ICU. They moved him to his own room. There they will continue to help his bones heal, manage his pain, and begin rehab. His rehab will consist for several weeks of simple things – moving his legs and arms in his bed, transfering him out of bed (by carrying him – he can’t put weight on his legs yet) to sit in a comfortable chair, and watching the news while displaying his stellar sense of humor to the nurses and visitors.
Still no word on when they will repair his wrist. Erik and I saw his arm and legs without bandages and splints today, while they were changing his dressings. WOW. Lots of road rash. Lots of bruising. Pretty rough stuff. The doctor said it all seems to be healing well.
Pop complained of his head and neck more today. Not worried yet, but definitely gonna keep an eye on it. He does have the fracture in his neck they said would heal. He also had a minor head injury with some bleeding, which they said resolved.
Mom is still in a deep coma. She continued to make baby steps common for head injury patients – like basic reflexes to discomfort. She cringes prettily heavily and moves around a bit when they are suctioning her and cleaning her teeth and mouth. The response subsides completely afterward. She is still not interacting with us in a noticable way.
We were encouraged by the rehab doctor. He said their team would work hard to get Mom and Pop in the same rehab facility. We hope that will be the case.
We continue to be so blessed by the prayers, the visitors, the food delivered to the hospital and to where we are staying, and more. Thank you all so very much – in New Orleans, in Booneville, in Orlando, and in so many other places. It is so clear that they have loved on so many folks. We are so thankful.
Jen walked through all the comments on the Caring Bridge site the other night and counted at least 30 states and 5 countries represented among the comments. SO AMAZING!!!
There will be a news story aired tonight or tomorrow night here in town on WWL about Mom and Pop. They told us it would be posted online, as well. So, we will post a link in an upcoming update when we find out the URL for the video.
We love you all. Please keep praying for Mom and Pop. Please keep praying for for Mom to show some kind of interaction – any kind. Please pray for Pop to rest and heal and be patient in this very long recovery process. Please pray for Erin and Jen and the kids as they continue to hold down the fort at our respective homes. We have been video chatting with them some. We miss them. Thanks to all who have loved on them and played with them there.
One of the ladies in the waiting room who is with a family we have connected with there keeps grabbing me by the shoulders, giving me a hug, and telling me this – “God can. God will. God must.”
We hope and believe He will. Thanks for your support in this difficult time. You all have blessed us richly.
-jason
Friday, April 10, 2009 11:24 PM, EDT
A local news station, WWL, and a very kind reporter who found out about Mom and Pop’s accident from a friend, covered Mom and Pop’s story today. It was a featured story – 2nd in the lineup at 9pm and 10pm.
Thank you, Susan Edwards, for your compassionate heart and your sincere concern for our family. We appreciate the story highlighting the love of Mom and Dad shared all these years and the amazing outpouring of love toward them since the accident.
Here’s the link:
http://www.wwltv.com/video/news-index.html?nvid=350935
Just wanted to share it with yall.
-jason
INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
Friday, April 10, 2009
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead” (Matthew 28:5b-7a, ESV).
Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, praying with you for those who do not know the joy of Easter.
In the Philippines, many traditions surround this week of remembering Christ’s death and resurrection. Most businesses are closed for part of Friday, and most public transportation is suspended. Much emphasis is placed on Jesus’ suffering and death as devotees walk several kilometers, some carrying crosses or beating themselves to pay penance for their sins.
The majority of the people in Taichung, Taiwan however, will spend Easter just like any other Sunday. They will work, shop or spend some time in a park with friends or family. Pray that this Easter, the wonder and miracle of Christ’s resurrection will be proclaimed in such a way through the bold witness of Taiwanese believers that many will be “added to their numbers.”
Sadly, the words “He is risen! He is risen indeed!” are not heard in Saudi Arabia unless they are whispered between believers. As in Taichung, Easter is just another workday. Please pray that believers will radiate the love of Jesus during this special season. Pray that their Saudi coworkers and neighbors will see the joy in their faces and ask genuine questions.
* Please pray for new Waray-Waray believers in the Philippines to grasp the truth that Christ has come down from the cross and risen again, claiming victory over death and the grave.
* Ask God to help immature believers understand the assurance they have in Jesus’ complete sacrifice.
* Pray for yourself and for Christians in such diverse places as the Philippines, Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia to have boldness to share with their families, friends and relatives the message of the good news of salvation through Christ alone.
From Annie’s Home Page:
The NEW Jelly Bean Prayer
Red is for the blood He gave,
Green is for the grass He made,
Yellow is for the sun so bright,
Orange is for the edge of night.
Black, white, brown, yellow and red is for the children He made
All of these colors receive the grace He gave,
Purple is for the hour of sorrow,
Pink is for the new tomorrow.
Give a bag full of jelly beans,
Colorful and sweet,
Tell them it’s a Prayer….
It’s a promise..
It’s an Easter Treat!
Also from Annie’s Home Page:
“Resurrection Cookies”
~Also known as Easter Story Cookies~
This is a great recipe to teach your Children the REAL story of Easter.
So Grab your Apron and Let’s Get Started!!!!!!!
You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1 cup sugar
a zipper baggy
1 wooden spoon
scotch tape
Bible
Instructions:
These are to be made the evening before Easter. Preheat oven to 300F.
*** (this is very important — don’t wait until you are half done with the recipe).
Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon
to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He
was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read: John 19:1-3
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar
to drink. Read: John 19:28-30
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life
to give us life. Read: John 10:10&11
Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest
into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers,
and the bitterness of our own sin. Read: Luke 23:27
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the
sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to
know and belong to Him. Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins
have been cleansed by Jesus. Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
Read: Matthew 27:57-60
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read: Matthew 27:65-66
GO TO BED!
Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.
Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read: John 16:20&22
On Resurrection Sunday (Easter) morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked
surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed
to find the tomb open and empty. Read: Matthew 28:1-9
Jesus is the reason for the season!
Anna Lee
The Prayer Link 