Monday, July 30, 2007

Written by Dr. & Mrs. Keith Gomez @ 12:00AM

On Saturday night, I spoke to Josh about going to church on Sunday. He assured me that he could probably handle one service. Because of his broken vertebrae, it is hard for him to sit up for any length of time. I announced to my church on Sunday morning that I would bring Josh to the evening service. As he came out onto the platform after the song service, our folks gave him a standing ovation for such a long time that I had to stop them. Our folks really love this boy, the one who they have prayed for now for 40 plus days. Many of them have prayed every moment for this young man.

As the service progressed, I allowed my wife to say a word about how good it is to be home after 40 long days. She told the people how much she loved them and appreciated their prayers for our son, and just how wonderful it felt for her to be home where she belonged with God’s people at Northwest.

My older son, Jason, then gave a testimony about the phone conversation he had with Pastor Mike Johnson of Redding, California on the morning of June 15. Jason was told that the doctors were trying to get in touch with me so I could give them permission to harvest Josh’s organs. They had given him up at the scene and also at the hospital, as I have stated before. This absolutely stunned Jason and he begged Pastor Johnson not to call Mrs. Gomez until he was at his mother’s side. Brother Johnson told Jason he had 15 minutes to get to his mother. Jason grabbed his wife and child and headed toward our home. He couldn’t bring himself to go inside to see the look on his mother’s face. He sat in the driveway and Dr. Johnson asked Carla if Jason was outside. Carla went out onto the deck and saw Jason get out of his car. Then Bro. Johnson told Carla about Joshua.  Needless to say, she fell apart. It was a very trying announcement for her to understand that her baby boy was not going to live. Shortly after that is when I contacted Carla. As Jason gave his testimony, we all lived through the whole thing again. There was not a dry eye in the church.

Then Joshua spoke. He stood up and walked to the edge of the platform where I placed a chair for him to sit down where he could talk to the people. The first thing he told them was how much he loved them and appreciated their prayers. He began to talk about how God had miraculously saved his life.  After he had thanked the crowd for their love and compassion and prayers, he said to all the children that they should always obey their parents. He told them he did not obey his daddy regarding wearing a helmet when riding a motorcycle. Then Josh inadvertently took over the service and asked if anyone had any questions. People began asking questions all over the congregation. What was really remarkable was the fact that when they would raise their hands, Josh would call their name out!  He knew who they were and would cut up with them. He also joked around a lot and the people so much enjoyed laughing at the many funny things he said. I had gotten him an eye patch for his eye and at one point he said he went into the ICU as a motorcycle victim and he came out a Pirate!  He had so many funny comments! Our people were amazed that he could sing the songs and that he knew the words to the songs as well as the names of our people at Northwest!

God has not only brought a miracle in his life, but He has literally allowed Josh to have his brain function to such an extent at this point in time! It seems that Josh has a little trouble relating to time, but other than that, everything is functional…just an absolute miracle of God!  Not only did he have traumatic brain injury, but they actually removed some of his brain. Please continue to pray for him.

The services Sunday night went on until about 9PM. I placed a chair down on the floor for him so our people could come by and welcome him home and chat with him for a moment. I watched in amazement as 2 to 3 people abreast approached him in the line. Our entire church came by to tell him how much they loved him. The whole reception took 1 ½ hours and it was heart-touching to witness.

We want to thank people all across the United States and the foreign countries that prayed for our son. Thank you to every missionary on foreign shores that sent emails. I want to thank each of you from the depths of my soul.

Tonight (Monday) I preached at Grace Baptist Church in Lockport, IL. It is a wonderful church. Brother Fink and his precious wife are dear people. After I finished preaching on the family and the home, Pastor Fink announced that their church had taken a love offering for us on Sunday for the extra expenses we have incurred since the tragedy. This church, a relatively small church, had taken up a $1900 gift for the extra expenses, not including the love offering they had given me. I want to thank the Grace Baptist Church, Pastor Fink and his dear people for their love and compassion for me and my family. I will preach to these good people at Grace Baptist on Tuesday night also.

Then Carla and I will take off for Africa for a few days. We will be able to visit with some of our missionaries. While we have a lay-over in London, we will get to spend time with one of our missionaries there in England.  While we are in Africa, we will take a day or two off the hunt and visit with some of our missionaries there. I trust that this will be a relaxing time for me and Mrs. Gomez as we try to unwind from all that has been going on in our lives. We want to thank each and every one of you for praying for us.

Sincerely,

Dr. & Mrs. Keith & Carla Gomez