Update for 5/13

Just a few short bits of news for you today, along with some pictures!

- Juan Carlos and Connie are still scheduled to come home from the hospital this Friday, May 16. If all goes according to plan, they will be able to come back to their home in Jonesboro, because…

- Several people (who I’ll name in a later post) worked hard this weekend to provide the lumber and labor needed to get a ramp installed to their front door (which was a little more than three feet off the ground… a long way for a wheelchair). Jonesboro Church has graciously allowed the Gascons to remain in the house, and make the needed changes, until they figure out what direction they’ll go next.

- By all accounts, Juan Carlos Gascon day on May 5 was a huge success. Envelopes have been coming the last several days from many churches and individuals who have given to the Gascon Fund. If the postmarks are any indication, people across Virginia and the Southeast were united in prayer and concern for the Gascons that day.

- As a result of all those gifts, the Gascon Fund has currently received donations of over $22,000!! This will be a tremendous help to the family as they begin to figure out what life will be like after they return home.

Finally, I visited for nearly two hours with Juan Carlos and Connie last week. We talked about the many decisions they need to make – disability insurance, Social Security, Medicare, the continuation and shape of their ministry at Anastasis. I left the hospital room feeling encouraged in my own ministry because of their faith.

As we discussed the many obstacles they face in life and ministry ahead, Juan Carlos told me the following (I’m paraphrasing):

“All through our ministry – in Mexico and in Virginia – we have had to learn to trust in God. Without our faith in God, we could never do anything. We have to do what we can, and trust in God to do the impossible. When we have trusted him, he has not let us down. As hard as this is, we know that if we could trust in God in the past, we can trust in God now.”

They hope and plan to continue their work at Anastasis and in Southside Virginia. I had doubts about the possibility of this before I spoke with them last week. But after that visit, I, along with them, trust that God can do what is necessary to make up for any “disability.” After all, as God told Paul:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9, NIV)

Let’s continue to pray for Juan Carlos, Connie and the boys as they make yet another transition in life, and as they look forward to seeing how God will use them in the future!

Update for 5/5 – Postscript

PS: There is another very specific need that you might consider. Before any of these events occurred, Jonathan Gascon had been planning to go with Kenbridge Baptist on a mission trip to Mexico. The team will travel to Piedras Negras, Mexico, with Constructores Para Cristo, to build a house for a family in poverty. His parents have discussed this in light of recent events, and they want him to proceed with his plans to go. Jonathan has latched onto this, and is very excited about participating.

The trip is scheduled for July 5-12, and will cost $1,200-1,500 for him to go. The mission team has discussed whether it would be appropriate, considering the family’s status, to ask for money from the Gascon Fund for his trip – but I’m sure you can see why we’re hesitant to do so. If you feel moved to do so, you can contribute to Jonathan’s account for this trip. You can send a check to the same address as the other donations, but mark the check “Mexico Mission Trip” and add a post-it note to say it is for Jonathan Gascon.

Update for 5/5 – Part 2: PRAYER

I know that you have been in prayer for this precious family, and we now have a more specific direction we can pray. We continue, of course, to pray for complete healing – we always ask in faith, knowing that God is able, even if he sometimes has other plans. But there are new ways we can begin to pray.

It looks as if Juan Carlos and Connie will be leaving the hospital as early as May 16. While this is both exciting and encouraging, it also means that challenges lie immediately ahead.

While they’ve been in the hospital, the family has focused solely on caring for Juan Carlos, and rightfully so. Now that they are preparing to go home and resume their lives, they have a lot of questions to answer. I cannot give too many details right now, but you can guess what some of those questions may be.

They’re coming home, but where will “home” be for the foreseeable future, and what needs to be done to make that home ready? Where can they live until that home is prepared? What kind of care will Juan Carlos need, and who will provide that care? Juan Carlos will be able to draw money from some sources, but will that be enough to meet the family’s needs? And to what extent are they able and willing to continue their ministry here in Southside?

These are tough questions, but they are questions that -ready or not – are upon us. Each question took only a few characters to type, but each answer will involve and affect many people. Please pray for God’s peace, wisdom, and guidance for the Gascons, for Southside Association, for IHBA/Anastasis Church (the Gascons’ mission church), for Jonesboro Baptist (which owns the parsonage in which the Gascons currently live), and for many others who are involved in the decision-making process.

Update for 5/5 – Part 1: NEWS

Friends,

I’m aware that a week has passed since the last update. Tonight’s update will be in two parts – first, news about what’s going on, and second, a new way we can begin to be involved.

At the Hospital

Things continue to go well at MCV! They are still scheduled to come home on or after May 16, depending on how therapy is progressing. PLEASE NOTE: Juan Carlos is now on the 1st Floor North, room 33A. A couple of folks have mentioned getting letters/cards returned from the hospital – please remember to include Juan Carlos’ patient code in every correspondence – TRD ROSE.

I had the chance to visit with Juan Carlos and Connie at MCV last Thursday. I showed up just a few minutes before they were scheduled to go to physical therapy. Juan Carlos was in his new motorized wheelchair, with it reclined all the way back while he watched a movie – it looked like he was sitting in a La-Z-Boy!

They were in good spirits, and I walked with them down to therapy. The therapists pulled Juan Carlos out of the chair and stretched his muscles, as well as doing exercises to strengthen them. Besides working to improve mobility in the areas he is able to move, they are also working to increase sensitivity and flexibility in the other areas in hopes that he will regain use of those areas in the future. I could tell the process was painful, but Juan Carlos took it all with his normal humor and patience!

That is their routine these days: Breakfast, therapy, lunch, and then two kinds of therapy sessions. No leaps and bounds are being made, but baby steps are being taken everyday.

Outside the Hospital

While it has not been a very momentous week at the hospital, it has certainly been a momentous week for those supporting Juan Carlos OUTSIDE the hospital. First, any of our Virginia Baptists must already know that an article about Juan Carlos appeared in last week’s issue of the Religious Herald. The article, skillfully written by Ted Smith at Ash Camp Baptist, summarized the news about Juan Carlos so far, and gave information on how people can help. From this article, I have already received a handful of phone calls asking for more information. Thanks for Ted for his work to summarize all of this in a brief but very powerful article!

Second, the Gascon Fund continues to grow! Prior to this weekend’s activities, we had more than $11,000 in the fund! A huge MUCHAS GRACIAS to so many of you who have contributed to this fund!!

Finally, Sunday was dedicated as a day of prayer and giving for the Gascons – in the Southside Association, as well as at other churches around the state. On Saturday night, Ash Camp held a benefit supper and concert, which (together with their Sunday special offering) raised at least $1,700. I’ve already received packets of donations from two churches totaling over $1,300. It’s obvious that many people and churches were moved to support the Gascons on May 4. I’ll give a report soon as to the amounts we’ve received.

Again, thanks to all of you who have helped in so many ways. Let’s continue to pray and to support as God leads us.

More in the next post…

Weekend Updates

Greetings!  I hope your weekends were filled with rest and meaningful times of worship.

I received two emails from folks who visited Juan Carlos and Connie this weekend, and wanted to share them with you.

Sylvia Bradshaw writes:

Leroy and I spent the morning [Saturday] with Juan and Connie.  It was SO good to see them.

They were watching a movie when we arrived, just needed some popcorn!!  Connie had rented movies and was using the laptop computer.  His room is much better, a semiprivate, but does not have a room mate, so lots of space and privacy.  We carried Connie’s medicine and a pair of tennis shoes for Juan.  They are so appreciative and continue to thank everyone for prayers.

The projected date on the wall is May 16 for coming home.  Juan is ready, so anxious to get home.  His spirits are so good, is not depressed.  The therapists are working with both of them on the changes that need to take place before he can get home.  We will be talking with the therapists on Mon or Tues to begin to get specifics on the changes needed at the house, in addition to the 2 ramps which are a must.

God still has a ministry and a purpose for Juan, we just need to join him in His plan.  Continue praying,

Sylvia

And later in the day, Ted Smith wrote:

Just wanted you to know that I visited Juan Carlos & Connie today, i.e., Saturday. I found them both in good spirits and enjoying the weekend, that is, no physical therapy.

You may already know – Leroy & Sylvia Bradshaw took shoes for Juan Carlos. Both were grateful. Connie would like to do some shopping for clothes (loose pants & t-shirts) and other personal needs for Juan Carlos. She wanted to go to a WalMart. But tne only one I know of in Richmond is just past the 288 on Hull Street, a location better visited on the way to Richmond not from MCV. I feel certain though there is a WalMart somewhere else.

Perhaps, if someone is planning to take the boys to MCV on Sunday, the boys could get a list of things from Connie that anyone could pick up on the way, i.e., deorderant, etc. Connie said she was going to call Barbara Bowry (formerly chair of Hispanic Task Group) to take her, though she didn’t say when & I wonder whether Connie will bother Barbara. Granted, Connie wasn’t certain if anyone would be able to bring the boys on Sunday. And she certainly wasn’t assuming anyone would go tomorrow. I just thought that, if someone was going, they could pick up a few things for Connie…

God Bless!
Ted Smith