This is a report for Mission 368 by Grace on Wings.
Departure: Dayton, Ohio
Arrival: Barnseville, Georgia
Date: October 29, 2015
Mission Report
The morning is both crisp and chilly, coming off 2 full days of rain here in Indy as we board Abe and head to Dayton, Ohio. Today we will pick up little 5 year old Tyler and his mom Anna. We are met at the airport by the ground transport team from the children’s hospital in what is literally a Mobile Pediatric Intensive Care. It is cheerfully decorated inside. Adorning the walls is a border and stickers from the popular kids movie “Toy Story.”.
We arrive in Tyler’s room to find him dressed in a superman shirt complete with cape and all. We are told that he is a huge fan of all things “super hero”. He is quite an adorably handsome little guy. He has been here at the children’s hospital for just under 3 months with his mom and dad constantly at his bedside. He is here because he has suffered a traumatic anoxic brain injury from a fall. ( this means that his brain was without oxygen for an undetermined amount of time) He now has a tracheostomy and is unable to move his arms or legs on his own and will more than likely need total care for the rest of his life.We are taking him back to his mom’s hometown in Georgia where they will now live with her parents.
As you can imagine it is quite an emotionally tearful goodbye between the family and the staff who have been caring for not just little Tyler, but this entire family. We waited patiently, allowing them time for their goodbyes as they promise to keep in touch with one another.
We secure Tyler into his car seat and onto our cot. Back at airport, we pause for prayer, and then place him and mom safely on board Abe. Tyler tolerated the flight very well. We were blessed with very pleasant conversation with Anna along the way too. She was able to laugh and relax a little, giving her a short break as she allowed us the privilege of caring for little Tyler. As we landed at the small airport in Georgia, lining the tarmac are Tyler’s grandparents and great grandparents waiting in anticipation for this moment.
They rushed over to hug not only little Tyler and his mom but to our delight, us as well. The expression of gratitude was evident by their actions. Each of them taking the time to introduce themselves to us. They then followed along behind the ambulance as we rode with Tyler and his mom Anna. Anna had told us that her father had built the home we would be taking them to.
It happened to be right next to the home she had grown up in of which he had also built. She seemed happy to be going home. We arrived at their beautiful southern home with a covered porch that spanned the entire front. Brightly colored ” Welcome Home” signs aligned the trees along the drive and the pillars on the front porch.
They were seen easily from the road. As we entered their home the rooms were large and Anna’s mom had made the room just inside the front door into little Tyler’s new bedroom.
It was warm and cheerful completely decorated with airplane bedding and a prop as a headboard. How appropriate I thought. In the corner next to the head of his bed was a cozy comfy upholstered chair and ottoman. Along one wall she had taken a clear shoe organizer and filled it full of medical supplies making it easy to see what was available.
She had also made great use of a bakers shelf using it to neatly stack clean fresh linens and towels. You could see that she had spent many hours precisely organizing all of the items that could be needed for his care. She had paid close attention to every small detail for her sweet precious grandson. Their home was full of family busting at the seams including Tyler’s parents, his 2 year old younger brother, grandparents, great grandparents and more.This was a home overflowing with love and support. We prayed once again now with the entire family and as we left Chris and I felt confident that this little guy will be showered with love.
MATTHEW: 19:13-14
THEN PEOPLE BROUGHT LITTLE CHILDREN TO JESUS FOR HIM TO PLACE HIS HANDS ON THEM AND PRAY FOR THEM. BUT THE DISCIPLES REBUKED THEM. JESUS SAID, ” LET THE LITTLE CHILDREN COME TO ME, AND DO NOT HINDER THEM, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BELONGS TO SUCH AS THESE.”
קינדער פֿון גאָט
children of God
Thank you to Hal, Chet and Chris for sharing this mission with me.
We secure Tyler into his car seat and onto our cot. Back at airport, we pause for prayer, and then place him and mom safely on board Abe. Tyler tolerated the flight very well. We were blessed with very pleasant conversation with Anna along the way too. She was able to laugh and relax a little, giving her a short break as she allowed us the privilege of caring for little Tyler. As we landed at the small airport in Georgia, lining the tarmac are Tyler’s grandparents and great grandparents waiting in anticipation for this moment.
It was warm and cheerful completely decorated with airplane bedding and a prop as a headboard. How appropriate I thought. In the corner next to the head of his bed was a cozy comfy upholstered chair and ottoman. Along one wall she had taken a clear shoe organizer and filled it full of medical supplies making it easy to see what was available.
