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CAR ACCIDENT
     Our experience during the first quarter of this year has certainly been overshadowed by our serious head-on collision (on Feb 22 on a highway north of Sacramento) and the subsequent need to recuperate and heal.
     It was a sobering and painful experience that landed us in Emergency, ICU and kept us in northern California for a couple of weeks. While airbags and seat belts saved our lives and that of the other car's driver, they broke multiple ribs, sternum, collarbone and a hand. I was released after 5 or 6 days, but Mary's additional more serious injuries (cracked vertebrae and a crushed foot requiring surgery) kept her hospitalized for 13 days (in a city aptly called Marysville).
     It was the kind of accident that could have been fatal; we are grateful to be alive, and grateful for the many substantive expressions of care (too many to list here) from family (our kids arrived by our side the next day, and have been tremendously helpful during the last few weeks), friends, our church, our YWAM family, and even strangers who had heard about us and showed up at the hospital offering help.
     By the time we came home (accompanied by a good friend and nurse from Phoenix), our church had built a wheelchair ramp and organized to bring us meals, and a YWAM friend had built a scaffolding for Mary to more safely use the bathtub/shower. Needless to say, in the midst of pain and unexpected disruptions and medical bills, we have also been blessed!

(Picture to the left shows Mary with friends on her recent birthday, including Debbie who came to California and stayed with us for most of the time there.)

CURRENT
     Mary has been recuperating in a rented hospital bed in our downstairs living room, and getting around the house in a wheelchair. Her foot injury and surgery required that she put no weight on her foot for ten weeks, which are almost over. Her torso brace was no longer needed when it became apparent that her vertebrae were healing just fine without endangering (as initially feared) her spine.
     Two weeks ago I started driving again (a bit more defensive than this German is used to), and this week I have been going back to our YWAM office after already starting to work again from home. While there is lots to catch up on (e,g., start working on this year's 15th anniversary 30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus), my coworkers have done a great job keeping things going without me.
     Mary and I had planned to be in England now for meetings at our international YWAM chairperson's office--something we had not done (together going to international YWAM events) in years. But, alas, we are not well enough.

KIDS
     Sean (23) who at at the time of the accident had been volunteering at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City awaiting confirmation, financial support as well as a long-term Australian visa to come through, has put a hold on things. He has been helping us through our recuperation time, and now, that we are much better, has taken a job with a local window washing company. He is also assisting me by maintaining an area on ywam.org. (Latest update... July 4: Sean has just departed for Egypt, and will move to Amsterdam a month later; read more on his site.)
     Noelle (18) just attended her high school prom, and has just a few weeks left before she graduates; she has no definitive plans. Please pray for both of them to trust God for direction and to learn how to make decisions in life.

We appreciate your concern, prayers and support.

Paul and Mary (...walking by His grace)

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