Urgent - PLEASE PRAY!!!! March 2, 2008

*NEW UPDATE*

:: Monday, March 3rd ::

Not much has changed with any of the family as of this morning. Hannah hasn’t been able to move to a room so far because she didn’t meet the doctor’s requirement for breathing. Other than that the three children are all about the same since my last update. There are however some new concerns with Mrs. Cristy. Here is what we received this morning from one of the people up at the hospital:

“I would like to say thank you to everyone for your prayers and words of encouragement. The family members in the Hottman and Wheeler families have been so blessed and comforted to know so many people are praying. Cristy smiled and nodded her head when told of how vast the prayer coverage that is happening on their behalf and I am sure we do not even begin to know the half. People all over the world are praying for this amazing and loving family. Daniel, and Cristy served as missionaries to Brazil for several years and Cristy’s Dad, Bro. Wheeler, has been a pastor for 30 plus years, so you know between these things and people like yourselves forwarding news on to others, there are tens of thousands of people praying. Thank God!!

Cristy is still not doing much better. They doctors put her on a c-pap machine yesterday, which forces air into her lungs, so she is breathing somewhat better. This is not like being on a respirator, it does not actually breathe for her it merely pushes oxygen into her airways to help her breathe easier. She is showing signs of congestion which is terribly dangerous for her condition. It is excruciatingly painful for her to attempt to cough and the doctors are very concerned she will get pneumonia. Cristy specifically asked me yesterday to pray for her lungs, so I asked you to join me in prayer for that specific need. Cristy is still very unstable so surgeries have still yet to be performed. Her vitals were so much improved yesterday after they put her on the c-pap and I am praying they will be able to possibly do some surgery today or tomorrow.

Please continue to pray for the family members. Sister Wheeler, Cristy’s mom, and Mori, Cristy’s one sister, have been at the hospital since the accident happened on Friday night. Bro. Wheeler has been coming and going so he can bring whatever is needed for everyone. They are all very tired and the stress is weighing heavily. The last thing that needs to happen is for them to become ill. I have not met Daniel’s family yet, but I know this is awful for them. They arrived yesterday and just began going from room to room to check on Cristy and all the children. Mori told me she was making some form of funeral arrangements yesterday and had to request the release of Daniel’s body, so I am not sure exactly how the plan has changed. This is a very difficult decision because of Cristy’s condition.

I learned that my information about the girl who caused the accident was not all accurate. As of last night she was still in jail. She had not posted bail as the family had thought and she is being charged with intoxicated manslaughter not involuntary manslaughter, which carries a stiffer penalty. Please continue praying for all involved in the situation.”

That’s what I know so far. I’ll be sure and post more as it comes in. Please continue to send cards and notes to my home address for me to take to the hospital when I go on Wednesday and again on Friday. If you don’t have my address, just email me and I’ll get it to you. ewychopen@gmail.com

My Dad felt burdened to write something and asked me to post it.

“I’ve never met the Hottman Family, but I have heard numerous accounts from my daughter, Erin, and others, of their love, devotion, and commitment to Jesus Christ. We continue to pray with heavy hearts for all who were involved in this auto accident.

My heartfelt compassion and genuine concern is also for the young lady who was driving the other vehicle. I think it is very normal for us to have feelings of anger and resentment for this untimely and seemingly senseless accident. We are each tempted to take up offense and boil in the kettle of bitterness. It’s also natural for us to question God. Why?

To be honest with you, I don’t know exactly how I would respond if I was in the midst of this exact trial. Even though I do not completely understand it, I know God uses the difficult circumstances in our life to test our faith and reliance in Him. Please pray for the person who was driving the other vehicle.

Although it’s extremely difficult for us to comprehend, by God’s grace, we can see life from His perspective and know, by faith, that He has a divine purpose and plan for allowing this tragedy to occur. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

It is God’s will for others to know the saving power of Jesus Christ and for none to perish eternally separated from Him. He is Sovereign and “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

We are all guilty. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:10 & 23). If you have not yet believed in and received Jesus Christ, will you trust Him now? “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”

Our brother, Mr. Hottman, is abiding in the joy and everlasting presence of Jesus Christ. Will you be there too?”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

:: Sunday, March 2nd ::

We just got home from the hospital. Amazingly enough we were allowed to go into the shock trauma unit and see Hannah and Mrs. Cristy. Hannah (20) looked much better than I thought she would, praise the Lord. She is dealing with some pretty severe internal injuries but the morphine seems to be helping with the intense pain. She also has some burns. She seemed to be very strong and positive and her sweet smile encouraged me so much. We only lost it when we started praying. They are planning to move her over to a room tonight or tomorrow.

Winston (23) got moved to a room and is recovering from surgery. He was rather out of it due to the heavy doses of morphine but he was able to respond a little when we talked and prayed with him. He got to go see his sisters today when the nurses took him in a wheelchair, although he was pretty drugged and out of it.

12 year old Erika looked very good and was cheerful and upbeat. She is having a rough time not being able to see her Mom, brother and sister added to dealing with her Daddy’s death. She told me she just wants to see her Mama and Hannah as soon as she can. Her hand is broken and she has some pretty bad burns but is doing much better than the rest of them.

The family has asked that everyone please, please cry out to the Lord for Mrs. Cristy. She is needing several surgeries but her vitals aren’t good enough for them to do that yet. They are hoping to do surgery on her hip tomorrow or Tuesday if at all possible. The doctors and family are still extremely concerned about her condition and she is still very critical. Her Dad is there and has asked us to just pray for God’s will to be done whatever that may be. They want to see God glorified above all else.

The young lady who hit them apparently walked away from the accident unharmed and was arrested shortly after. We heard that her parents posted bail and she is home but will be charged with involuntary homicide. Please pray for her as she is dealing with the guilt of this and really needs the Lord. Also pray that the family will be able to receive God’s grace and love and forgive this girl.

Thank y’all so much. I’ll keep updating for those who would like to know…..Also, their uncle has asked that we get lots of cards and notes together to decorate the rooms with…even from total strangers he told us. If you would be interested in sending one, I’ll be making trips up to the hospital and would love to take a wealth of encouraging words with me as soon as possible. Email me and I’ll get you my home address. You can mail them to me and I’ll take them up. Thank y’all so much!!!!!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

:: Saturday, March 1st ::

I got a call today that on Friday night the Hottman family, friends of ours through band and other homeschool events, were hit head on by a drunk driver, a 24 year old young lady.

Daniel Hottman, the Dad, died on the scene and the other four family members Cristy, (Mom) Winston, (age 23) Hannah, (age 20) and Erika (age 12) were life flighted to Herman Hospital. The doctors do not expect Mrs. Cristy to live. Tonight she is doing very badly. Winston has come out of surgery earlier this evening for multiple broken bones and Hannah for severe internal injuries. Hannah is in critical condition. Erika is recovering and has had the least severe of the injuries. The young lady who caused the accident is still alive and we aren’t sure what her injuries are.

Our hearts are breaking as we hurt with this precious family. Please cry out to God on their behalf!!!!!!! Thank you.