Gerlinde Skaggs

GERMANY You will recall that last May, SIM missionary Gerlinde Skaggs suffered a devastating head injury in a fall from her bicycle while she and her husband, Ben, were in Germany on leave. Gerlinde's condition was very grim for weeks as her life hung in the balance. However, she has regained consciousness and is showing improvement as God answers many prayers! In fact, Gerlinde's doctor recently said,"Her recovery is not normal." Ben then said to the doctor that this was because "our God is not normal." One milestone in Gerlinde's progress occurred when she attended church with Ben on October 2. Ben and their two children praise the Lord for what has happened and also ask for your continued prayers as Gerlinde still faces some large hurdles on her way to what we trust will be a complete recovery.

Ben and Gerlinde's daughter, Heike, sent this touching report on her mother that we hope will bless you: "When we walked down the hospital hallway on my first day back in Germany, I was nervous. As Dad and I rounded the corner, Mom came out the room, shuffling along in her wheelchair. Sudden delight rose up within me, and I forgot everything else and ran to meet her. I didn't know that God had created such emotion. It still is impossible for me to describe the intense joy mixed with sorrow--an almost overwhelming bitter-sweetness as a devoted mother held on to her precious girl. "Mom is able to hold her own in a conversation, though concentrating on one subject for a few minutes is hard for her. But I have never seen her laugh so much!" Among other concerns, Gerlinde needs prayer that her swallowing reflex and speech will return to normal, even though she has made progress. Thank you for praying for this remarkable family. UPDATE: Just as this Harvest was going to print, news came that Gerlinde had suffered two epileptic seizures. Her doctor says that these types of seizures are not unusual with severe head trauma patients. Please continue to pray for Ben and Gerlinde and their family.