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Guest Post by Susie Kinslow Adams, Author of The Rebel and Preacher Man and My Mother, My Child.

The day was unseasonably warm and sunny; made-to-order for a girl’s day out. When Judy and I opted for a leisurely lunch instead of a quick sandwich, we could not envision the chaos that lay ahead. Within thirty minutes of our arrival, Applebee’s would be ushering people from the restaurant, with several of us on the way to the hospital.

        The beautiful morning had flown by as we hopped in and out of small shops and thrift stores. We had barely made a dent in our long shopping list and were intent on staying into the evening if necessary.

        Like a couple of giddy teens, we mapped out our afternoon, and were ready to delve into our warm, delicious meal. As I was about to take a bite, something crashed into the building without warning directly below the window where we were seated. Broken glass, wood, brick and debris flew across the dining room. Judy, still seated, was  shoved about four yards away from me.

My seat, with me still on it, was pushed about three feet away from the window. To my right, I saw the bumper and grill of a Ford Ranger inside the restaurant where the window had been. A pile of glass, brick and debris covered the floor reaching the seat of my bench. Blood streamed down my right arm. The lady seated behind me was on the floor, covered in food, broken glass, and debris.

My mouth dropped open as I looked down at the cushion where I had been seated. A thick splinter of wood had embedded deep into the seat cushion where my leg had been minutes earlier. The impact (or was it God’s angels?) had scooted me far enough to protect me from the crash. Emotions ran rampant between disbelief and awe at God’s protection.

Judy was shaken up but unharmed, so she drove me to the hospital. My right arm was sprained and bleeding from a few small wounds. I was sent home with a sling, pain pills, and a thankful heart. I thanked the Lord for helping me to drive the 40-some miles home; I was not allowed to drive after the accident for almost two weeks.

Before we left the hospital, Judy and I held hands and spent some time together in prayer. Although our hearts were shaken, we were so extremely aware of God’s protection and care. We prayed for all involved in the restaurant and hospital. We asked God to comfort the precious elderly lady who, thinking her foot was on the brake, had pushed hard on the accelerator instead and driven headlong into the side of Applebee’s. 

God’s mercies are new every day. I praise Him for His miracle of protection that day, and many times since. I can proclaim with the Psalmist David, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

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Susie Kinslow Adams has a support blog to give encouragement to caregivers and for the weary. Sign up for a free gift and read more at susiekinslowadams.com

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Time to Leave

EXCERPT from Missouri Woman’s Missionary Union’s Centennial Journey, 1923-2023 (pg. 253-256) by author Jan Turner.

In 1988, Randy and Nancy Sprinkle, missionaries to South Africa, both developed serious health problems. Randy was having leg pain and could barely walk. When he went to see an orthopedic doctor, the doctor suspected Randy’s leg pain was caused by a problem in his back. Outpatient tests showed damage to the discs and vertebrae in his lower spine, creating pressure on the nerves running into his legs. The doctor sent Randy back to Maseru, Lesotho, and ordered him to bed rest for three weeks to see if the inflammation and lower back pain could be reduced. Later, Randy was admitted to the hospital, where he discovered he had herniated discs in his neck and lower back. Randy was sent back home with a fitted traction device and orders to stay in bed for the next five weeks.

The rest of the family had been sick with strep throat. Nancy’s health was also affected by lupus. She was physically and mentally exhausted. With their many health challenges, they determined that the time had come to leave Lesotho and return to the states.

The Sprinkles moved into a missionary house near Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. After meeting with a neurosurgeon there, it was confirmed Randy would need neck surgery. The herniated disc would be removed, and the two flanking vertebrae fused. A few months later, he would be scheduled for surgery on his lower back.

Randy called Marilyn Coble, the Missouri WMU Prayer Coordinator. The Missouri intercessors were following the Sprinkles’ health developments closely. Marilyn had been anticipating the call from Randy. She had already planned how she would use the telephone prayer chain to spread the news quickly. When Randy told Marilyn the date of his surgery, Marilyn shouted in astonishment and amazement. Marilyn told Randy, “The dates of your hospitalization and surgery are the same as the Missouri WMU Annual Meeting on April 15-16, 1988, at Second Baptist Church in Liberty. God did it again. God is way out ahead of us. God has already done far better than I ever could have. There will be over a thousand of us gathered and ready to pray for you in Liberty.”

Randy could see God moving behind the scenes, and he felt at peace.

Preparing for Surgery?

The following week, Randy entered the hospital and was given two injections in preparation for a myelogram that would provide the information needed to perform the surgery. It was also compared with a myelogram he had previously in Africa.

After being kept in the x-ray room for an extended period of time, the surgeon came into the room and said, “We had been planning on removing a herniated disc that was causing your problems. But now, it is a perfectly normal disc. This is very difficult to explain. In contrast to your previous x-rays and MRI, today’s myelogram looks normal and healthy.”

Randy was released from the hospital and sent home. Clearly, God had intervened and healed the damaged disc in Randy’s neck.

The morning after Randy returned home, Marilyn Coble called to see how Randy’s surgery had gone. She was surprised to hear Randy’s voice and wanted to know why he was home answering the phone already. Randy detailed to Marilyn what had transpired at the hospital. Marilyn then returned to the WMU Annual Meeting and related how God had answered their prayers for Randy.

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Randy is best known in Missouri for designing and implementing the International Mission Board’s first state/mission prayer partnership — the Missouri/Lesotho Prayer Partnership, particularly embraced by Missouri Woman’s Missionary Union and still functioning today.

NOTE: [Revisions were made to the original text for space]

READ MORE GREAT STORIES!

Jan Turner, Author, has compiled a hundred years’ worth of God’s amazing moving upon missionaries, leaders, and presidents. She pens the true stories of motivation and inspiration that inspired MWMU women into missions. They were dedicated leaders with the innate desire to keep missions alive in Missouri Baptist churches.

Be inspired and encouraged! Available from Amazon in print or digital.

Age of Viability

The NICU nurses brought the tiny infant to his mother so she could say her final goodbyes. But when she laid her hand over him, something incredible happened.

Photo of a fetus in the womb at 20 weeks gestation

Beth Hutchinson was scheduled to have uterine surgery on February 13th, 2020. Ten days prior, she was elated to find she was pregnant and canceled the surgery. She and her husband, Rick, were elated as she didn’t think it was possible to have children.

Almost five months into the pregnancy, she called the doctor because she wasn’t feeling well. The doctor discovered she was already dilated three centimeters. Beth was admitted into the hospital and going into labor, fearful for the baby. They were informed if she gave birth, they would not do anything to ensure the baby’s survival.

Twenty-one weeks is not considered viable in most states. In Minnesota, the age of viability – or the ability to live outside the womb – is cut off at 22 weeks of gestation. (Many states it’s 24 weeks). These 24-25 week micro-preemies have only a 26% – 44% chance of survival, a study done in 2007 said.

Babies born earlier than 24 weeks (6 months) are at risk for a number of long-term effects of prematurity.

Dr. Stacy Kern, neonatologist of Children’s in Minnesota and Beth’s doctor, stated that many NICUs around the world will not resuscitate babies born at 22 weeks or younger.

At 21 weeks, the baby is the size and weight of a carrot, less than a pound and shorter than a ruler. They prove too small to provide care for with underdeveloped organs and air sacs for lungs. The baby has problems breathing on his own plus many other problems with a reported survival rate of less than 0%.

But many of these perfectly-formed little ones are proving these statistics wrong. 

Born Too Early

Little baby Richard had different ideas that day. He was born June 5, 2020 at 21 weeks, 2 days old and weighed less than a pound. At half the gestation period, baby Richard fit into the palm of the father’s hand. Both pro-life believers, Rick and Beth knew their son had a chance at life. Saving his life was not an option. The Hutchinson’s asked the doctor to try, even though their baby was one of the smallest micro-preemies born.

“It’s incredibly rare for a baby at 21 weeks, 2 days, to be resuscitated, let alone survive,” said Dr. Kern. She noted that he is one of the youngest babies she has ever cared for. 

Instead of fully developed lungs, the baby had only air sacs. He needed help breathing, so he was hooked up to two ventilators.

“There’s not a lot of research out there for how to care for a 21-weeker,” said Dr. Kern. She noted that he is one of the youngest babies she has ever cared for. (EYEWITNESS NEWS-KSTP.COM)

When he still wasn’t getting enough oxygen to his brain, Dr. Kern brought him to his mom and dad one final time. At that point, many micro-preemies will spend their final moments before breathing their last breath on their mother’s chest.

Something Incredible Happened

When they laid the little guy on his mother’s chest, things began to turn. As Beth laid her hand on her son, baby Richard’s oxygen levels began to rise – 80 and then 90%. 

“It was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen. He just continued to surprise us day after day,” said Dr. Kern.

The Hutchinson’s thank everyone at Children’s in Minnesota that he was given the chance to live, and thank God that he is making major strides every day.  A healthy 6-month-old Richard went home December 4, 2020. Now at ten months, he continues to use oxygen, has a inhaler and relies on a feeding tube, although he is learning to use a bottle. His lung doctor has been working with Beth to help Richard wean off his oxygen and he’s doing great.

“Richard surprised everyone at Children’s Minnesota. He’s taught us all how resilient tiny babies like him can be,” admitted Dr. Kern. “To me, he is a miracle,” Sometimes I look at him still and I think, how did you make it?” 

If you want to follow Baby Richard’s progress, Elizabeth has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/baby.richard.

Another Miracle 21-Weeker

Another miracle baby born two days earlier than Richard is little Jemarius, born in Georgia on December 29, 2019.

Born at only 21 weeks, 0 days at 12:12 o’clock, Jemarius became the YOUNGEST surviving preemie in the world to date. He weighed 13 ounces and was approximately ten inches long.

His mother, Jessica, had already lost two babies at 22 weeks and said the doctors didn’t want to give this baby a chance either — simply because he wasn’t at the 23-week viability threshold. Two more weeks, and they would give him all the care he needed. Both mother and father begged the doctor to try to save little Jemarius even though he had been given zero chance of survival.

Knowing other micro-preemies have survived, the doctor was hopeful. Technology was on their side, and they gave the baby the care he needed.

After five months in the NICU, he went home weighing a whole eight pounds! Jemarius is now a healthy, happy one-year-old.

“That’s my miracle baby,” said his mother, Jessica.

As a recent study found, up to 71 percent of preemies can survive if they are given active care, as opposed to just palliative care.

Every baby is precious in God’s sight – the Gift of Life itself!

A Simple Procedure Gone Wrong

“They said I was glowing,” Shirley said. “They also said I was dead.”

In the fall of 2016, Shirley Chokan began having excruciating pain in her abdomen. After a couple of days and no relief with the heating pad, she checked herself into the Emergency Room. The doctor who examined her said her appendix was about to burst. His face revealed that she was in bad condition. She asked if he could make just a little cut, so she wouldn’t have a large scar; he said he couldn’t promise. He seemed so overly concerned, she asked if she could pray with him before he did the surgery. He agreed. So, she prayed that God would be his hands.

“I’ll do my best for you,” he assured her.

The surgery went fine, and she ended up with only a tiny scar. Later on, when she was due for a colonoscopy, she decided to call the same nice doctor who had done such a good job with the appendectomy.

On October 5, 2016, Shirley went in for the simple procedure. But while she was on the table, her heart stopped three times! For over three minutes, the hospital staff frantically worked to bring her back.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Chokan, but your wife died,” the doctors told Shirley’s husband.

It was such a shock, he began to laugh. “It’s only a colonoscopy,” he reasoned. They told him her heart had stopped, then started, then stopped three times. Terry refused to believe she was gone.

She Was Being Lead

Shirley relates, “Everything seemed black– like I was gliding through the darkness. I was aware of my death but had no fear; I knew I was okay. Love and so much peace enveloped my soul. All the things of the world passed away. No worries, no stress, no pain.

I wasn’t asked who I was; I only knew I had an appointment to keep.  Beautiful colored lights appeared ahead, and for some reason, I knew was in a garden. It was so peaceful and beautiful, and I wanted to stay. Any longings for this world were completely gone; there was no attachment to things left behind.

All of a sudden everything came to a full stop. I heard the words, ‘Stop. You must go back.’

I resisted and said, ‘NO! I don’t want to go back.’

“Not Your Time Yet”

‘It’s not your time yet,’ I heard. As soon as the words were spoken, I was back on the table.”

After the third time Shirley’s heart stopped, a shot of adrenaline was administered.  She immediately woke up and began ‘talking up a storm’. The nurse screamed, her face white as a sheet. She was terrified and couldn’t believe her eyes.

Shirley immediately began talking and laughing about what she’d seen and where she’d been. She couldn’t move as the procedure was only half over. The doctor finished but she couldn’t quit telling them about her experience. The nurses panicked.

“What happened?” Shirley asked.

“You were dead; really dead,” the doctor said. “I even told your husband.”

“Your body was glowing,” said one nurse. “We knew something must be happening, but we didn’t know what?”

“You were the most beautiful dead person I’ve ever seen,” commented my doctor.

That made Shirley smile. God is good. “Oh well. Guess it’s not my time yet. I’m back!”

God’s in Control

The doctor and nurses nervously left the room and made her stay a few hours for observation. They weren’t quite sure what to do with her. A nurse stayed to watch her vitals. “We were astonished when you glowed. “It really scared us,” she admitted.

“God was watching over my body, I guess,” Shirley responded.

“Someone was,” the nurse agreed. She was intrigued and wanted to hear more although the other staff didn’t want her to say anything more. The more Shirley talked about dying and going to heaven, the more nervous the nurse became and asked her to stop.

Shirley was sent to a heart physician following the procedure who explained if too much air is pumped into the intestines during a colonoscopy, it may have stopped her heart. She knew all along God was in control – and she was okay with that. He would take care of her. She said it was a funny feeling of being lead along and nothing she could do about it.

Heaven is Real

Later, Shirley was able to share her testimony with another person who was dying. “I was glad to comfort them. I told them, ‘You know Jesus, so you’ll be fine. You don’t have to fear because Jesus will lead you into heaven.‘” It gave the person real peace. If that was the only reason for me to experience this miracle, then it’s enough. But I want readers to know this too.

God is in control when you die, and you can’t make your choice where to go at that time. Wouldn’t it be better to make your peace with God now and know you’re headed to glory when your time comes?

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As told to C.A. Simonson by Shirley Chokan, Ohio.