March 2011 – The Carragher Chronicles
Dear Praying Friends,
“And of some have compassion, making a difference:” -Jude 22
Whenever we think or pray for you we are moved by your compassion and the difference it is making in lives. Please know we do not take your support through prayers, love, and finances lightly. We realize that many make deep sacrifices for our military ministry. Our folks in the military love us deeply, and they love you because you sent us to them. Thank you so much.
We want to thank you for your special offerings, prayers and thoughts for our family during the Christmas holiday. We had a very special Christmas!
As you may know, the last few months have brought a couple of health trials to our family. It started when I had an accident on October 25th. At first it seemed like a minor set back with some physical therapy and has turned into a very convoluted process of numerous appointments, Epidural Steroid Injections, Trigger Point Injections, five new doctors, three prescriptions, 3 MRIs, 2 C T Scans, 17 X-Rays, 31 doctors appointments, a home traction machine, 12 weeks of physical therapy and counting, and pain I have never experienced before. Over the first twelve weeks, on two occasions, I tried traveling and preaching on Sundays. Both times set me back a week with pain management. Recently, I have begun to travel on Sundays.
Unfortunately, my doctor had me cancel twelve meetings. Staying close to home has allowed me to move forward on some necessary office work and to build and strengthen relationships with our local military and missionaries. The Lord has blessed the work and we have grown by three missionary families. We have forged necessary relationships that will last a lifetime. Last week, at times, I experienced pain relief. I also slept through the night for the first time since the accident. Even with some relief there is talk of future surgery and treatment. The surgeons need to fix multiple herniated disks and a slight curve in my spine. As in all procedures of this sort we are weighing the benefits and risks. Delaying the surgery will allow time for new, less invasive treatments to be refined. I am very fortunate to have the largest naval hospital in the world treating me. One procedure I have been receiving is the Graston method. The therapist digs the point of various size stainless steel instruments into the affected muscles and above the affected disks to promote blood flow and healing. The treatment feels like a torture technique–but it is working. I needed two treatments a week for 8-12 weeks. Yesterday, I finished 8 weeks of treatments and was informed that I need another 4 weeks. I go every Tuesday and Thursday morning for physical therapy followed by back Graston. We can now see the Lord working through these treatments. I am gradually returning to my travel schedule.
Our next health trial was with our son Doug II. While looking for dumbbell weights to work out with a visiting friend (a Korean foreign student Doug brought home for the holiday break) he tripped while in the attic above the garage and fell backwards through an open place behind him between two rafters in the ceiling falling about 15 feet back-first to the garage floor below. Folks, when we found him on the floor in a puddle of blood and not moving; our lives were forever changed. As you can imagine, Debbie supported his neck and head and I called an ambulance. They arrived quickly cut his clothes off put braces on his neck. They placed him on a backboard and drove him past two hospitals to a trauma center at Norfolk General. The night found us in a small waiting room with friends praying and begging for information. Minutes seemed like hours and hours like days. He is doing better now with some temporary changes. He is wearing a brace and only allowed to lift 20 pounds. We are prayerful for a full recovery over the next few months. God was merciful. He broke four vertebras in five places and did not rupture his spine. Even the doctors could not believe his spine was stable without leaks. He also hit his head on the way down and ripped it open. He had a three-inch gash but did not fracture his skull. Another issue which amazed doctors. The first week after leaving the hospital found our family carrying him to the bathroom and washing him. We even moved his bed down stairs to the living room and took turns staying awake watching him 24 hours a day. After a long week — on Christmas morning, I watched him wake up and get out of bed and walk to the bathroom by himself. What a gift! It wasn’t pretty…but it was aside from salvation the best gift of our lives. Since then he has improved almost daily, and by God’s grace is back at college moved to a first floor room with a handicap seat in chapel – and a new back brace.
We have learned so much from the Lord through these events. Most importantly, He taught us to rely only on Him. We learned so much from folks like you who prayed for us and lifted us up. We could feel the Lord working in our hearts and showing us that He alone can handle all things and without Him there is no hope.
Our shared ministry continues to blossom. Weekly we ship Bibles around the world, help our heroes find churches upon their return from overseas, train missionaries to plant churches and serviceman centers, and minister to fine Americans who place their nation ahead of themselves.
One hero named Will sent an email thanking us for his new Bible and the Final Orders tract. This Marine read the tract and chose Christ. We are praying he will receive an assignment close to a great church. What a blessing!
Please know we pray for you, your folks, and families every day. We love you all and will not forget your support and love for us.
We are honored to be your servants for Christ to the Armed Forces,
Brother Doug, Debbie, Doug II and Daniel
Douglas Carragher
AFBM, General Director
Psalm 34:6
(757) 615-017