Dear Family and Friends,
“Miraculous”, is the description for so much of what we are
experiencing. To arrive here in South
Africa after a rather lengthy plane ride and be able to be look into the eyes
of our family and gently hug and converse, to see the awful evidence of the
accident trauma, yet know that truly there was and continues to be divine
intervention, to meet the earthy angels who have walked into our lives here and
are yet willing to do more…each day is uncharted territory for us all and we
are trying to work out the right course.
As of right now, here are the circumstances. Wednesday evening just as we arrived in
Johannesburg, Seth Wiggins met us at the airport on his way back to
Oregon. He was able to get a flight out
with “miles” and the timing seemed right since we could try to smooth in the
transition. He has now arrived safely
back home and resuming life there. Never
has there been a better and more dedicated friend.
Prior to our arrival here, friends in Oregon had contacted
friends of theirs here in South Africa, Kristen and Brady Southwick. Because the family (wife and family) has
already moved back to the States, their home was available and they most
graciously invited us to use it as a base of operation while needed. So at the
same time we were arriving here, Brady was leaving for a business trip to the
States and we were able to meet at the airport, have a warm embrace, receive
their house keys and hopped into the car where a driver ably winded his way
through huge Johannesburg. Never had we
met, and yet he and his family had learned of the need and offered their now
empty home and use of their car. We were
met with a delicious roast beef dinner and welcomed by another loving family
who also had been in need of a home for a few days while they were awaiting
their new home to be vacated. They have
been most gracious as we share this home and meals together. Their two little dogs have been a wonderful
distraction for Cali and Tommy and getting acquainted has enriched our
stay.
Seth is amazing in his desire and effort to recover. The physiotherapists are particularly
impressed with his progress as were we, to think of how far he has come in the
3+ weeks since the accident. Great care
must be used to transition in and out of bed but he is doing it and has no
qualms about getting about for periods of time.
Walking, stairs, eating at the table with his head resting on the wall
for added support are all part of his normal day. Friday became his farewell day at the
hospital. Turns out, a hospital is a
good place to be for the much needed critical care but not a very restful place
when long term rest is best. He was
happy to bid his goodbyes to friends, nurses, and even the doctor. We have to admit the doctor seemed a bit
rough on him with little jabs to Seth’s unprotected torso, guess they had
worked out a fun rapport over the stay there.
We are so grateful for the years of training and experience that Dr. Van
Heerdan has that has guided Seth’s recovery and has been so much less invasive
than originally thought necessary.
We left the hospital driving gingerly along to George and
Carolyn Bonnet’s home where Seth would take up residence to be near his
outpatient rehabilitation center. George
is the Director of Temporal Affairs for
the LDS Church in Africa (dealing with all building and maintenance of Church
facilities). It was perilous for all of
us to have Seth in the car – you are just so aware of every bump in the road,
every stop and acceleration, every turn in the traffic congested city of
Johannesburg – but we made it safely and got settled in to their lovely home
where Seth has a private room and either Annie or Tom trade off being with him,
the other being at the other home with Caroline and the kids. Seth is
appreciative to be out of the hospital and is adjusting to the new environment
and bed. After 3 weeks of hospitals and
going from death’s edge to walking under his own power out of the hospital, he
is doing better than anyone could have expected. It is a courageous and painful path but we
are so grateful for every person that has attended to and encouraged Seth and
for his own terrific attitude along the way.
We were reflecting on the miraculous protection and recovery he’s had
and brushed up against the inevitable question of why God has blessed him so
greatly but did not prevent the accident in the first place. Seth tenderly said that he’d never asked that
question, he was just so grateful for the blessings experienced and the good
that has come from this for so many.
Caroline has, of course, carried a particularly heavy burden
during all of this. She has held
together a struggling and displaced family, all of who are also recovering from
injuries to one degree or another while living in one new house after another. She had hoped to be flying back home to
Zambia with Cali and Tommy this week but got further bad news on Monday from a
surgeon that her heel was not healing properly and she needs to undergo an
operation on Wednesday (Aug. 9th) to attempt further repair. So one more time, this valiant woman will put
things on hold and go through another setback in schedule, health, and
family. She needs our prayers as much as
does Seth.
We are all indebted to so many for their kindnesses, from
Zimbabwe to Johannesburg and throughout the US and other countries. Your notes of encouragement, love, and
prayers are all deeply appreciated.
Thank you.
Love from “Joburg” (as they call it here),
Annie and Tom
(just
a note to all: we have limited use of internet and so much happening
here that we are not able to respond to everyone who writes. Just know
that we would if we could and we do appreciate your thoughtfulness.)
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