02 March 2010

. . . twenty-three/one . . .

. . . one of the awesome experiences Drew has had
during his twenty-three months in Mexico
is visiting these pyramids
on Monday 15 February 2010 . . .
. . . he's pictured here (on the left)
with Elder Jon Michael Arnett
and Elder Nate Francis . . .
. . . Elder Francis was scheduled to return
to his home in Portland
Monday 22 February 2010 . . .
. . . but, on Saturday 20 February 2010 . . .
. . . a short 48 hours before his departure . . .
. . . the unthinkable happened . . .
. . . Drew shared the following with us:
"{Elder Francis} was at his church lighting the boiler (gas water heater) when the boiler exploded. It was a new boiler and he was just lighting it as he had done a million times before, so it indeed was a complete accident. The explosion threw Francis back and the boiler broke part of the wall. The boiler was in a little shed next to the church and the heat was so strong from the explosion that the door melted shut. It is kind of a horror story and I cry just thinking about it, but with the help of two strangers that heard the explosion and his companion, they got the door opened and Francis was taken to a hospital nearby. He was left with severe burns to his hands, arms, neck and face, with his hands and arms being the worst."
. . . read the rest of the story here . . .
. . . thankfully, Elder Francis/Nate-dog arrived "home"
{aka a Portland area burn unit}
via medical transport plane by 5:30am on the 23rd
~ just hours after his
originally scheduled homecoming time . . .
. . . his sweet mom reports that
he is doing a little better each day . . .
. . . he remains in our family's prayers . . .
. . . as well as those of
a couple hundred missionaries in Mexico . . .
. . . it's going to be a long month for my son . . .
. . . i know he can't wait to talk to his friend again . . .


7 comments:

Michelle said...

Man this hit me hard. I'm so glad he made it home to Portland which holds a special place in my heart because they took such great care of Weston while he served there. I bet you are getting so excited for Drews return. I will be thinking of you and the big hug you will get from your cute missionary..

angiedunn said...

my prayers are for him, his fam, and drew. what a hard thing. ♥

Peg and Parker said...

Wow, this post was hard to read. I know that those missionaries left behind will be worried, but gee, he is smiling and from the first picture to the second one he looks so much better. Our prayers are going out to him and the Mexico Norte missionaries as well!

chris+amber said...

this breaks my heart. i'm glad he's home with his family and good doctors.

granny said...

The unthinkable...no kidding. How terrible! Prayers to him and his family.

Sassy said...

oh my stars..........this is breaking my heart....wowie...it is seriously bringing tears....he will be in my prayers for a continual recovery...

Jennifer said...

That's just crazy. I'm so glad that he is home now with his family. What a way to end the mission! And I can't believe that Drew will be home so soon. I'll be you just can't wait!