God is Faithful; What is Your Assignment

by Blanche Bunce

We were greeted that morning with a beautiful Texas blue sky. The sun was shining and we were off for a fun day of shopping. My sister-in-law, Janice, and her daughter, Kathy, and I had just arrived at the First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas, when I received a phone call from my sister that turned my life upside down. She was calling to tell me that my precious husband had been in a motorcycle accident and was being life-flighted to Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I was about 500 miles from home and about 250 miles south of Tulsa. We said a hurried good bye to my friend, Millie, whom I was meeting at the flea market, then Janice, Kathy and I rushed back to the motel to pack, check out and begin the arduous drive north to Tulsa. It would be six hours from that phone call before I could see my husband. As we covered the miles, I thought about God’s goodness and prayed for Gary as I drove. I felt God’s peace as we traveled. I couldn’t wait to get to the hospital and talk to him, to let him know that I was there with him. Little did I know that it would be many days before he could acknowledge my presence at his bedside.

Upon arriving late that afternoon at the Trauma Unit of Saint Francis Hospital, I found my husband in a medically induced coma, wearing a neck brace and on a ventilator. He had fractures of the T-4 vertebrae, sternum, scapula and ribs. His right lung was punctured. Gary had been with my brother-in-law, Melvin, and our friend, Mark. The three of them had been on many motorcycle trips together. I was thankful that they were with Gary. They are men of God and know how to pray.

Our son, Brett, arrived at the hospital later that evening from Waco, Texas. He slept on the floor of his dad’s hospital room. Janice, Kathy and I took the chair and the daybed that were in the room. We experienced God’s protection and provision in so many ways. That Gary had no head or neck injuries was the first of many miracles that God revealed to us. His full-face helmet was found about 50 feet from him, the chin strap still buckled. A neurosurgeon met with us early the next morning and gave us his grim prognosis of Gary’s condition. As soon as he could make arrangements, our son, Bradd, drove 16 hours from Newberry, South Carolina. He slept, too, on the floor so that he could be near his dad. We stayed around the clock in Gary’s room as the ventilator and other machines worked to keep his body going. At one point, he had eleven IV bags dripping fluids. Gary had pneumonia and his lungs were damaged from his broken ribs. I dreaded subjecting him to surgery, but the doctors reiterated how necessary it was. Surgery to stabilize Gary’s spine was scheduled.

Word spread of the accident and surgery. Earlier in the year, Gary was in Costa Rica and Nicaragua for a month, helping our missionary friend in Costa Rica set up and support a medical clinic in Managua, Nicaragua. We are members of Campers For Christ, a Christian RV ministry whose membership covers the U.S. Gary had people praying for him across the U.S., in Costa Rica and in Nicaragua. We were ready for our second miracle. On November 4, Gary underwent surgery to stabilize his spine. The surgeon placed hardware and did some clean-up work in the spinal canal. After the surgery he reported to us that the stabilization procedure was successful and additionally, he found that Gary’s spinal cord had not been transected. He indicated he was not optimistic. But, oh, how we are!

The next hurdle on his road to recovery was transition from a ventilator to a trachea tube. The doctors indicated that while a serious procedure, the placement of a trachea is commonplace. Gary did not tolerate this procedure well. His vital signs took a massive drop but God was with him again. The next obstacle was weaning him off the ventilator for breathing on his own. Doctors worked for days tweaking the machines in order to train his lungs to increase the oxygen level. The day came when they pulled the tube going down his throat and we thought we had passed this milestone. Late that same night, just as I lay down to sleep at Hospitality House, Bradd called me; Gary wasn’t doing well; they were going to intubate him again. I rushed back to the hospital to find the bright lights on, his plummeting vital signs starting to rise and once again, on the ventilator. It was distressing the next day to hear the doctor apologize to me for her failure in getting him off the ventilator. Thankfully, a team of young doctors continued to work with Gary and three weeks and two days after the accident he was breathing on his own.

The social worker at the hospital told us about Hospitality House. We went on the waiting list and the day after Gary’s surgery we checked into Hospitality House. What a haven! We could feel the peace of God when we entered the apartment. The concern of Rachel, Stephanie, Toni and many other volunteers gave us assurance that God was near. It was a special blessing to find a meal prepared for us when we returned to sleep each night. That people we did not know would care enough for us to provide such wonderful food made us aware of God’s love and watch care. We felt so blessed by God’s provision. Being on the receiving end of such love and generosity was very humbling, yet we felt God’s love in such a special way.

Gary was in the Trauma Unit at Saint Francis Hospital for five weeks, and then was transferred to Mid America Rehabilitation Hospital in Overland Park, Kansas. The day after his four hour ambulance ride transfer, a blood clot was detected in his leg and he was rushed to Overland Park Regional Hospital for implanting of a vena cava filter. We are thankful that the blood clot was detected before it caused an even more serious situation. The next example of God’s love to us was in a quiet moment at yet another hospital where Gary was taken for a procedure. It was time for the feeding tube to be removed. I was giving information to a nurse while Gary was in the procedure. He quietly pointed out to me that if Gary’s body had been injured just a little higher, he would have no use of his shoulders, arms or fingers. Gary was a patient for three months at Mid American Rehab. After a month of home health care, he is entering the next phase of his recuperation, rehabilitation as an outpatient. We are believing our God for the full regeneration of his spinal cord and restoration to complete health.

Before taking early retirement in 2006 I was a paralegal. I knew the importance of having a will, living will, power of attorney for healthcare decisions, and doing financial and estate planning. Gary and I had discussed it and had the documents prepared before we retired. I was so glad that we did. I did not have to spend any time considering those issues since the documents were in place if I needed them. I would encourage everyone to take care of these issues while enjoying good health

I want to thank the staff and volunteers of Hospitality House for their ministry to me and our family. Except for a quick trip home to retrieve more clothing, Janice remained with me. Everyone else had to go back to jobs, families and responsibilities. We were many hours away from home; we had packed for a four-day trip and 80 degree weather. We were living out of my car. Our family traveled every weekend from Kansas City to Tulsa, tearfully leaving each time to return to their duties at home. When my dad was not at the hospital he prayed for me daily over the phone. Once Janice and I were able to check in to Hospitality House, our family had peace of mind knowing that we were no longer living out of my car. I will never forget Toni Moore’s words to me regarding the ministry of Hospitality House, Matthew 25:35 where Jesus said, “For I was hungry and you gave me meat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in”. The love of God was shown to me repeatedly through the ministry of Hospitality House. I had the assurance God loved me and that He has people always near and ready to proclaim and show God’s unconditional love. Hospitality House of Tulsa was a refuge during this storm in my life.

When our missionary friend, Dan Salas, was back in the United States and spoke at our church, he presented a simple yet powerful message about being faithful to our calling. His message was, What Is Your Assignment? I can clearly see the assignment given the volunteers at Hospitality House and they are faithfully carrying out their assignment with excellence. My assignment is to encourage and care for my husband through this time of restoration, until he is back on his feet, walking again. God is faithful; what is your assignment?

After hearing cancer survivor and Tulsa fireman John Buck's story, how could I say no to this push up challenge? Like most middle-aged mother of 2 teens, I would have to say that upper body strength is not in my top 10 things to improve this year. However, after starting a women's fitness boot camp class 4 weeks ago, I knew I could incorporate John's push up challenge into my routine.
Do I love push ups? NO! They are hard; I don't see immediate results right after I do them; Sometimes my drill sergeant, oops, I mean fitness instructor, has me doing so many combos of them, I get sick to my stomach. At the end of each session, I always think "I can't do any more!"
Then I think of John going through his battle with cancer last year and I realize my little struggle with pushups is nothing compared to what he went through. His treatment was hard, no immediate results, and caused many days of sickness. John didn't give up, so I won't give up either. Pushing onward and Pushing upward!
I am seeking sponsors to join me in this challenge. You can sponsor me by pledging a penny, dime, quarter, or $1.00 per push I completed. The challenge began on Feb 15th and ends April 5th. 50 days of push ups representing 50 days of John's treatments.
Before you make your pledge, just know that I can now do about 240 pushups a week! You do the math. :)
You can email me with your push up pledge, or join me and get sponsors to pledge money for you doing pushups. All proceeds benefit families facing a medical crisis away from home at Hospitality House of Tulsa. For more information go to www.tulsahospitalityhouse.org/events.htm Thanks for your support!

Half a Hundred for Hospitality Challenge

Guest Blogger: John Buck

Just over a year ago, I was diagnosed with a rare form of head and neck cancer. My wife and I sought treatment out of state. My treatment required that we relocate about 500 miles away from home for weeks on end. Without the support and the sacrifice of our family, our friends, and our Tulsa Fire Department family, my fifty days of active treatment would have been infinitely more difficult. The compassion and hospitality of others enabled us to receive the care we needed.

The Hospitality House of Tulsa is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers families a ‘home away from home’ while enduring a medical crisis. I have found the same compassion and generosity that supported me during my battle with cancer is the very foundation of this organization. I am inspired to help them provide hope and comfort to others facing medical adversities.

Here is how you can help. Commit to doing push-ups for fifty consecutive days beginning February 15th and ending April 5th. Please find sponsors to donate a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, or dollar per push-up. All of your tax-exempt proceeds will benefit Hospitality House of Tulsa and will go directly to helping individuals and their families as they seek medical treatment in our city. Click here to download the Half a Hundred for Hospitality form.

Win the Fight,
John Buck

Hospitality Reborn on 9/11

Leading a non-profit organization means that you must be flexible. We recently scheduled our annual fundraising event, A Time to Dance with Our Stars. However, because of a conflict with schedules, we had to reschedule it on a Saturday. The only open date for our location choice just happened to fall on Saturday, September 11th, 2010.

I know, how could we possibly plan a celebratory event on such a tragic date? However, I was quickly reminded by a volunteer that while 9/11 was a terrible day for most of the world, for one small community in Gander, Newfoundland Canada, it was the day the world came to their town. As the airplanes across North American were instructed to immediately land, that small town of 10,000 people welcomed over 6,000 guests stranded during this tragedy. Their acts of true hospitality were chronicled in a book, as well as in an interview with Tom Brokov.

I am providing links to these sources.
http://www.popmatters.com/books/reviews/d/day-the-world-came-to-town.shtml

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O6mU-5k4kk

Tulsa is leaving a similar legacy of hospitality to patients and families who find themselves needing lodging, meals, and support during a medical crisis away from home. Over 25,000 patients a year travel to Tulsa for inpatient medical care. Half of those patients are on Medicaid, Medicare, or are uninsured. These families are not able to afford the hotel, meals, and other basic living needs associated with a medical stay. Because of that, they are sleeping in waiting rooms or their vehicles trying to support their loved one in the hospital. Since 2006, Hospitality House of Tulsa has been the ‘home away from home’ for these families.

Our event this year is based upon Ecclesiastes 3 :
There is a t ime for everything, and a season for every act ivity under heaven:
a t ime to be born and a t ime to die,
a t ime to plant and a t ime to uproot,
a t ime to kill and a t ime to heal,
a t ime to tear down and a t ime to build,
a t ime to weep and a t ime to laugh,
a t ime to mourn and . . .

I hope you will join us as we come together to support families facing a medical crisis away from home! For more information go to our website and click Events. http://www.tulsahospitalityhouse.org

Growing up in Hospitality, Oklahoma

I had the wonderful privilege of growing up in a typical rural community in Western Oklahoma. My father was the High School football coach, my mother was the Jr. High School secretary. Needless to say, I couldn’t get away with anything in that small town!

It was in that community where I first experienced Biblical hospitality at its best. My roots and passion for helping families in medical crisis began there. When I was 17 years old, my family experienced a serious medical crisis. My mother was diagnosed with an advanced stage of breast cancer. She and my father would travel to Oklahoma City, two hours from home, over many months for surgeries and inpatient chemotherapy.

With three very active teenagers at home, my parents were very worried about leaving us. Their concern was short lived though as we watched the entire community support us during that time. Our church family would pray and bring in meals for us, our school family would make sure we had rides to our church, school, and sports commitments, that uniforms were washed and ready, and that our academic studies did not suffer.

Two years of treatments brought many ups and downs to our family. My parents spared us the details concerning the financial impact this terrible disease was having on our family, but we knew. Toward the end of that second year, my mother was referred to MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas for trial studies.

As they were preparing to board the airplane in Oklahoma City that early morning, the President of our local Sports Booster Club greeted them at the airport. He asked if they knew where they would be staying during their visit to Houston. My parents explained they didn’t have a firm plan and thought they would figure it out when they arrived. That dear man then shared that our community had come together for the purpose of making sure they had lodging and meals while there. He handed my father $700 to meet those needs during this crisis. What a wonderful expression of support!

Sadly, my mother did not survive her diagnosis. My family and community grieved deeply. But even in the midst of that grief, these wonderful people surrounded us with all the love and support we needed to survive the loss. The lessons I learned and the love exemplified to me through this small community will never be forgotten.

If you are ever traveling on I-40 West, just before you get to the Texas panhandle, look for that town. Oh, the highway sign might display the name Sayre, Oklahoma; but to me, it reads Hospitality, Oklahoma.

Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice Hospitality.
Romans 12:13 (NIV)

Hospitality - a world-wide ministry

I recently had the privilege of hosting a friend of mine overnight. She and her husband are missionaries in South America. Part of their ministry includes serving indigenous people in four medical houses which provide lodging and support to families and patients who come from remote jungle areas into the large city for medical care.

We spent the evening sharing our passion for this work in hospitality (PhiloXenia). We also shared stories of families that have served. We both have cared for families facing unspeakable pain and sorrow. However, we have also cared for families who have experienced amazing miracles of healing and hope. While the details of each family served may vary, the need families have for lodging, meals, prayer support, hospital visits, and encouragement are the same all over the world.

Loving Strangers?

While this title seems out of place in our culture, it is a core value practiced at The Hospitality House of Tulsa. This House was founded on the Biblical principles of Hospitality. Romans 12:13, (NIV) reminds us, "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." The word hospitality in this verse is translated from the Greek word, PhiloXenia, meaning love for stranger or friend to the stranger.

The examples of this PhiloXenia practice is spread throughout the Old and New Testaments. But how can anyone in America really welcome complete strangers into their home? Aren't we supposed to be observing "STRANGER DANGER?" It depends on your definition of the word stranger. For example, read Matthew 25:31-46 to see how Jesus defined this practice.

35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'