"Healing for the Soul"

WOW! I was so moved throughout the whole weekend with the warriors. We should all be so proud of the high price our soldiers have paid for “YOU and me”. The pain our troops feel is real, and depression is intense as they ponder what they’ll do with the rest of their lives while disabled. “What else do you do when you’ve been in 17 years,” said one 35-year old man during our sessions. One young 25-year old warrior was burned over 90% of his body, and another had 3 disks fused together in a back injury. There were all types of injuries. During one of the programs we brought in a guy that had no arms and no legs who came to speak a word of encouragement and faith to the other amputees. His impact was powerful and very uplifting for the audience full of wounded soldiers and their wives. The trouble they endure is real. 

Whole families, (babies and all) are living in one-bedroom apartments, some for 2 years and longer while they go through rehabilitation at Brookes Army Medical Center in San Antonio. They lose their homes, can’t pay their bills, wives have a hard time finding time to work and be mothers, they send their young children to live with others for years, spend years away from their home town, don’t see their families and friends for months at a time, and feel very much alone. They learn how to walk all over again on prosthetics, have 15 to 30 operations, spend 10 hours a day in rehab centers, and struggle with any time at all to perform their duties as a father and husband. They desperately need us and what a thrill it was to speak the “LIFE” of Jesus Christ into these guys and to witness lives change forever. The gospel was never so needed and timely.

Here’s one of the emails that was waiting for me the day I returned. Brian stepped on an IED and lost both his legs in Iraq. “Jonathan, Hey there my man. Wow what a weekend for not only myself but my wife and children as well! I cannot begin to put into words the profound effect this past weekend has had on me and changed my family’s life forever. Thanks again for everything, and most of all for bringing God into my life.”

Brain Amputees of all types joined us for the weekend (Thursday through Sunday) as they strive to get back to some type of normal life with the amputation of their arms and legs. Everyone was so appreciative to get away from the hospital for a few days, with their whole family, at a resort right outside of San Antonio. Their 4-day stay consisted of 4 days lodging, 3 meals a day plus endless snacks, fishing, golfing, games, swimming in a heated pool, of which many said their children have only swam in a couple of times in their lives. There were 32 programs for their children as volunteers from local churches kept them busy during the breakout sessions and while parents had one-on-one time to work on their marriages. We spent half the day and every evening in breakout sessions regarding their hurts, habits, and hang-ups. As speakers, we had several Chaplains from Brookes Army Medical Center, an NFL Super Bowl Winner, Bruce Collie, his wife and 12 children, Nick Vujicic– with no arms or legs, Jack Meeks brought the National Guard NASCAR and preached Sunday morning, Tina Stull – Lady Interstate Battery Pro Stock Drag Racer, Joni Eareckson Tada - “Joni & Friends” / quadriplegic, an amputee golf pro, myself, and more.

The Hospital Chaplain told us that we needed to do this every month and encouraged me to visit the hospital on a monthly basis since my pro-fighting career really resonated with the soldiers. He just called as I’m writing this and wants OSU Tour back in 4 weeks. He said “I’ve never seen an event like this that included the whole family, cost the soldiers nothing, and had such a powerful witness for Jesus Christ.” He also stated “numerous families were saved from divorces as a result of your weekend.” The weekend was a huge success. I think you’ll agree this was a much overdue and deserved blessing for our wounded warriors. We also wanted to thank “Joni & Friends” for their expertise in helping the severely wounded as well as their leadership, hard work, and support regarding this event.