From time to time life bring to us trying moments, moments that not only test our faith, they forge our character. It’s in these times that the Lord’s presence is abundantly clear. For one of our Dads, August 22, 2023 was one of those days. It was a seemingly ordinary workday on Highway 16, yet it turned into a profound testimony of faith, courage, and divine purpose. Editor’s Note: The following account has been lightly edited for clarity and corrected for minor spelling and grammatical errors while preserving the original meaning and voice of the writer.
The following is a firsthand account shared by an inmate who experienced God’s grace during a life-changing moment on August 22, 2023. His story is as follows:
I write this truth to you for the edification of Our Father. My spelling might not be the greatest, so forgive me for any mistakes.
On Aug. 22, 2023, while working on D.O.T., a miracle happened on Hwy. 16. As my coworker/supervisor was stopped on the side of the road, I stepped out of our work truck to pick up some trash. I was only about 8 feet out from the side when all of a sudden, a moving van loaded with furniture slammed into the back of our work truck doing about 60 or more miles per hour. They never even touched the brakes. On impact, the force was so great it knocked our 550-dump truck about 10 or more yards up onto a curb. Their van went underneath the back driver side of our truck, crushing the passenger side on top of the man inside.
In this moment everything was in slow motion. I was super calm, but my focus and my actions were sharp. Instantly I ran to our truck and checked on my supervisor. She was bleeding, but okay and on her phone calling for help. Then, I ran around our truck to the van, climbed up inside the driver’s side, and could only see the head of the man on the passenger side of the van. He was trapped. It had completely crushed in on top of him up to his neck. So, I reached and touched his head not knowing if he was alive or dead, and he moved. Thank God! I told him he just had a wreck, that he needed to stay awake, and that help was on the way. I promised him I would not leave him, that the angels of God were with him today.
Then I saw a pedestrian walk up. I told him we have to keep him awake—help is on the way. Then all of a sudden, black smoke started coming up from the front on his side that was crushed under the dump bed of our truck, right where our gas tank was and it was full of gas.
So, I told the pedestrian, “Fire, there’s a fire—keep him awake.” And I ran as fast as I could, grabbed our fire extinguisher from our truck, and quickly put the fire out. A few minutes later police and fire rescue showed up. So, I stepped back and checked on my supervisor and helped to stop her bleeding. They had to cut the man out and airlift him to the hospital. This day our Father in heaven used me to save that man from burning alive in that van. All I could think about was him for the rest of the day.
Turns out, his mother had lost two of her sons the year before. That man was her last surviving son. When I heard that, I broke down and cried. I thanked God for that man—that he got to go home to his mother. This day will always be remembered. It was a day that God showed me I was needed at the right time and place. And no matter what, I was not going to leave that man to die, for I would have lost my own life that day to save his. But God’s grace saved us all that day. Amen!
To this very day, I know not the man that was saved that day on Hwy 16, but he’s alive thanks to Christ who strengthens me.
I had the privilege and meeting this dear brother and hearing pieces of his story. It wasn’t until I read Scottie’s letter that the full effect of such was felt. What a testimony to how God shows us and uses us as willing creatures. Friends, no matter where we are or what challenges we face, God can use each of us for His glory. As we walk through life, may we remain open to His calling and courageous in our obedience, knowing that His grace is always sufficient.
You are loved!
Les
