Riders Of Faith Church
The story you are about to read is true (I have the broken bones to prove it). It all started on August 10, 2010, as I was leaving the Sturgis area for home. After an uneventful ride across SD 44 and down US 83 to Valentine, NE, I stopped for supper and to decide what to do for the night. Valentine has a nice city park that allows camping for $5.00. Since it was only 5:00 PM and 92 degrees, I decided to continue on and let it cool off. Leaving Valentine about 5:15 on US 275, I covered the 111 miles to O’Neill, NE in less than 2 hours. The speed limit in Nebraska is 65mph. Stopping for gas and water, I checked the map. Nebraska has a lot of places to camp. I would travel to almost dark and stop for the night.
Continuing on US 275, I covered about 15 miles, before something strange happened. Seeing a car or truck approaching in the oncoming lane is normal and I don’t concern myself with the make and model, only things that concern safety. Suddenly, I realized this one was different. It was pulling a utility trailer and a wheel just came off the trailer, crossed the centerline and was heading straight for me. My first thought, swerve. No time. My second thought, I am dead. My third thought, that was loud.
Somehow, the bike stayed up. I have been riding for many years and am a skilled rider, but not that skilled. Remember, I was traveling about 67 mph. I assume the trailer was traveling about 65 mph. That means the collision happened at about 130 mph. Skill had nothing to do with it. Even a parked bike, hit by that much mass and speed, would fall over. To be honest, I only remember one thing after the noise. I thought I needed to stop slowly. Has my mind blocked it, did I pass out? I don’t know, I just don’t remember anything else till I was stopping on the shoulder of the road. The officer said he estimated that it took me 220 yards to stop, when he came by the hospital for my information.
As I stopped, I realized my left foot didn’t work. I normally use my left foot for balance when I stop, keeping my right foot on the brake. So, I used my right foot. Shutting the engine down, I looked at my left foot. Tangled in the highway bar, floorboard, and engine. Using my hands, I lifted it up and out, and managed to put the jiffy stand down. Surprisingly, it worked.
Throwing my left leg off the bike, I realized it had the worst case of numbness that you can imagine. It wouldn’t support me. Using the bike for balance, I sat down. Then, remembering my first aid training, I laid down to help prevent shock. Then I rolled a couple of feet away, in case the gas tank was leaking and caught fire.
Help soon arrived. Other than a little fogginess from the medicine, I was awake and alert until after I was transferred to Grand Island, NE for surgery on my foot later that night.
The rest is simple medical history. I don’t know how many people I have told this story to. Most have the same answer; “I am the luckiest man they know.”
Think so? I looked the word ‘luck’ up and it means: Success or failure that seems to happen by chance. Something that seems to happen by chance rather than as a logical consequence. What are the odds of a bike staying up with a 130 mph impact? One in a billion? Ten billion? I have no idea, but they are not good. Who held the bike up during the impact? It wasn’t me. Then there was the 220 yards that I don’t remember, yet the bike remained stable and under control. Who controlled the bike for 220 yards? It wasn’t me.
Something else was at play that evening, the hand of God. It was God who kept that bike from falling. It was God who controlled the bike for 220 yards. It was God who brought the bike to a stop. Luck had nothing to do with it. It was God who delivered me from death.
Why would He do such a thing? Perhaps so I could share it with you. If God can deliver me from death, He can do the same for you. I am living and soon to be walking proof that God can and does deliver people from life’s problems. Do you have problems at home or work? Do you suffer health problems? When will you face your runaway tire? Whatever and whenever it is, God can deliver you, if you will only turn to Him.
The first time God delivered me, was as a boy. It was then that I realized that I was on the road to everlasting punishment. It was then that I realized that God came into the world as Jesus. It was then that I realized Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for my sin. It was then that I realized that Jesus rose again that I might know he has the power to deliver me. It was then that I realized that if I only asked, Jesus would deliver me from the punishment I deserved.
If you will ask Him, he will deliver you from your sin this very day. Simply say something like this and believe: Jesus, I need the deliverance that only you can offer. Please come and forgive me of my sin and deliver me from its punishment. Help me to overcome all the obstacles that stand in my way and give me the strength to live my life for you, day by day.
Romans 10:9-10
That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
UPDATE: September 6, 2010
Many have asked about my injuries. After four weeks, here is where I am at. Every bone in my foot is broken and the bone in the large toe has burst. Surgery was expected, but last week when I was at the foot and ankle doctor, he said everything was in a good location and thought that the trauma to the foot would outweigh the benefits.
Both sides of the ankle was broken. The night of the accident, two screws were put in the inside and it should repair properly. The outside was crushed, but everything is in place and it is expected to heal in time. Nothing can be done with it any way.
My tibia is fractured into the knee area. It is a non displaced fracture, so nothing can be done, except let it heal on its own. I go to the knee doctor this week to see how it is progressing.
It will be another eight weeks or so before I can put weight on my leg and foot. The doctor is expecting permanent nerve damage in my foot and ankle. It may never get back to normal, but I have God's assurance that I will walk and ride again. Maybe not this year, but in 2011.
God is still working His work. It is His miracle that I don't need surgery. He is still using it to open doors for sharing. Please keep praying that God will use this situation for His glory. That is all I am asking from Him.
UPDATE, September 22, 2010:
Was at the doctor for my knee about a week ago. He x rayed it and said that it was beginning to heal. I go back October 7 for more x rays. Went to the foot and ankle doctor yesterday. After x rays, he said the bones were healing. The wounds from the fracture blisters are healed, except for one. He is sending me to the wound care center for help. Said I will be able to start putting weight on the foot in 4-6 weeks, depending on future x rays.
God is still working. He has used this to allow me to share with nearly 30 people so far this month. Pray for them, that they will respond to His word.
UPDATE, October 21, 2010:
The last month has seen some improvement. The knee doctor said I could put weight on the knee, but my foot and ankle have not healed enough. They are still swollen, but the feeling is coming back. This has allowed me to feel more pain that before. So far, it is not unbearable and the pain pills take care of most of it. I go to the doctor tomorrow and intend to press him for a timeline. Of course it will only be a guess.
Some have asked what it looks like under all these wrappings. It hasn’t been pretty and tor those with a strong stomach, I have posted the pictures we have taken of my foot and ankle on the web page. You can see the progression.
My bike is ready to be picked up. If I am able to drive out and trailer it home before December, I will. If not, they will winterize and store it for me (for a fee) and I can get it in the spring.
We have continued to witness and share with others, even with the limitations. We have handed out 15 biker bags in October and shared with 43 people. If the weather holds, we will share with a lot more this month.
Many have asked about my injuries. After four weeks, here is where I am at. Every bone in my foot is broken and the bone in the large toe has burst. Surgery was expected, but last week when I was at the foot and ankle doctor, he said everything was in a good location and thought that the trauma to the foot would outweigh the benefits.
Both sides of the ankle was broken. The night of the accident, two screws were put in the inside and it should repair properly. The outside was crushed, but everything is in place and it is expected to heal in time. Nothing can be done with it any way.
My tibia is fractured into the knee area. It is a non displaced fracture, so nothing can be done, except let it heal on its own. I go to the knee doctor this week to see how it is progressing.
It will be another eight weeks or so before I can put weight on my leg and foot. The doctor is expecting permanent nerve damage in my foot and ankle. It may never get back to normal, but I have God's assurance that I will walk and ride again. Maybe not this year, but in 2011.
God is still working His work. It is His miracle that I don't need surgery. He is still using it to open doors for sharing. Please keep praying that God will use this situation for His glory. That is all I am asking from Him.
UPDATE, September 22, 2010:
Was at the doctor for my knee about a week ago. He x rayed it and said that it was beginning to heal. I go back October 7 for more x rays. Went to the foot and ankle doctor yesterday. After x rays, he said the bones were healing. The wounds from the fracture blisters are healed, except for one. He is sending me to the wound care center for help. Said I will be able to start putting weight on the foot in 4-6 weeks, depending on future x rays.
God is still working. He has used this to allow me to share with nearly 30 people so far this month. Pray for them, that they will respond to His word.
UPDATE, October 21, 2010:
The last month has seen some improvement. The knee doctor said I could put weight on the knee, but my foot and ankle have not healed enough. They are still swollen, but the feeling is coming back. This has allowed me to feel more pain that before. So far, it is not unbearable and the pain pills take care of most of it. I go to the doctor tomorrow and intend to press him for a timeline. Of course it will only be a guess.
Some have asked what it looks like under all these wrappings. It hasn’t been pretty and tor those with a strong stomach, I have posted the pictures we have taken of my foot and ankle on the web page. You can see the progression.
My bike is ready to be picked up. If I am able to drive out and trailer it home before December, I will. If not, they will winterize and store it for me (for a fee) and I can get it in the spring.
We have continued to witness and share with others, even with the limitations. We have handed out 15 biker bags in October and shared with 43 people. If the weather holds, we will share with a lot more this month.
On the Road With Jesus