Requesting Your Prayers

NOTE- I'll add updates regarding David Crowley at the bottom of this post.  If you are following this, please bookmark this entry.  AND, post your messages to Dave, I'll make sure we get them to him.  The message that Marcela posted in here is a great example of a good, encouraging, positive note to him.  Even if you don't know Dave, your notes will mean a lot!

I am incredibly humbled by the generosity of our team.  This morning at 12:30, our setup crew arrived at the theater...worked for a couple hours and were back at the theater at 7:30 am.  It was all worth it.  The big number?  We had almost 40 people make a decision to follow Jesus as God.  Moments like that make me want to burst.  I haven't heard our total attendance count.  I do know we had right at 100 kids and the theater was full

The guys and gals that give so much are incredible.  I genuinely love them.  I think I'd lay it all down to help them when they need help.  I especially wish I could do that right now.  My heart hurts a bit as I share this.  And, I invite you to pray with me for this need.

After, service we had a party and Egg Hunt in the Redlands.  After playing some football, Dave Crowley (our sound guy) stepped off to the side and began experiencing symptoms of a stroke.  He was airlifted to Baptist Memorial Hospital.  While the paramedics were working, we prayed and asked for God's healing in his body.  I have faith and know God can heal him in a second.

Dave is 35.  He is the kind of guy that would give you the shirt off his back.  We are going to be there for him in his crisis.  Please pray for him.  I'm on my way back up to Baptist Hospital in Kendall.  I'll update you as soon as I know something.

UPDATE- April 8 - 8:57 PM - David did have a stroke.  He is being treated.  When I saw him, he was groggy and in pain.  This is serious and he really needs your prayers.  I don't want to go into details right now because of privacy.  I will say that we talked and prayed.  And, before I left, he gave me a perfect smile. 

David is a fighter.  Keep him in your prayers.

----------

UPDATE- April 9 - 5:43 PM - This morning, David's condition deteriorated.  He was unable to move his arms or legs on both sides.  This afternoon, they did an arteriogram to look for the clot.  They could not find one.  AND, there is no indication that he ever had a stroke.  The Dr. said that there is evidence that his brain has an infection which has caused a constricting of the vessels in his brain.  They need to discover the cause of the infection and treat it.

He did not offer any commentary on whether that was good or bad.  But, I consider the news that David did not have a stroke as extremely positive.  Keep praying.

----------

VISITING HOURS:  David is in Critical Care unit 2.  Visiting hours are:

9-10 AM
1-2 PM
5-6 PM
9-10 PM

----------

UPDATE- April 10 - 10:41 AM - This morning, we found out that this was a stroke.  It is in David's brain stem.  At this moment, they are saying that they cannot remove it.  This isn't the news we were wanting to hear.  Continue to pray.  You guys are an awesome family to have in times of crisis.  Let me remind you of the central verses from Sunday:

James 1:2-8

2Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. 3You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. 4So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

5If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. 6Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. 7Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, 8adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

---------- UPDATE- April 12 - 6:00 PM - Dave seems to have improved over yesterday.  He could open his eyes wide (though they were closed most of the time).  He moved his foot a little.  He smiles around the tubes in his mouth (or frowns).  He is definitely listening and responsive.  The tube is irritating to him.  and, while I did not see it, his dad, George told me that he was jerking his head and neck forward frustrated with the tube. 

---------- UPDATE- April 17 - 10:00 PM - I have to say that Dave's family has really grown on me.  I've known Michelle forever.  I've only known Chris for a bit, Patrick and Jessica from a distance.  And, I haven't known George, Dave's dad at all.  These guys are salt of the earth.  I have nothing but respect and appreciation for them.  They have been super day in and day out.

Dave bit his tongue on Monday. Since he is on blood thinners, it won't stop bleeding.  He cracked his eye at me and is responsive.  Still needing big prayers to a big God coming from people expecting big things!

FYI- we are looking at somethings we can do to help raise some money to offset expenses incurred by Michelle and Chris.  Dave roomed with them and shared expenses.  We want to make sure that Michelle and Chris aren't put into any kind of financial trauma from Dave being out of commission in addition to the expenses Michelle and Chris have incurred from being out work while at the hospital.

Feel free to share the link for this post with all of your email contacts and ask them to pray for Dave.  The more people praying, the better.

---------- UPDATE- April 31 - 7:00 PM - Dave has a private room.  I walked in tonight and Michelle was playing music for him on his mp3 player.  Of course, George, Dave's dad was there.  It seems like when Michelle and George are not working they are at the hospital.  These guys are troopers and can really use your prayers.  Please continue praying for Dave.

Comments

[Chris Marlow]

praying bro!

[Ela Ortega]

Our prayers are with him..

[Phil J]

Crowley is one of the hardest working guys I know. He always goes all out in everything he does. I am praying for my pal right now.

[beckie nieves]

Today was truly awesome!!! THE MESSAGE TOUCHED MANY DEEPLY. All the changes were wonderful and believe me people noticed, I did. Alot of the newcomers that I spoke to were impressed, some even asking about TEEN programs. Many were coming down the aisle crying, THE LORD TOUCHED MANY LIVES TODAY. THERE IS A PRAYER CHAIN GOING AROUND TO THE FAITHFUL IN THE CHURCH...BUT DONT FORGET THIS IS RESURRECTION SUNDAY.

[Ela Ortega]

Pray we will I have contacted other churches that I know and they are sending prayer requests to their groups and two other church groups as well.

[Hector Urrutia]

-Dave, my first pray request is for you...see you sunday,I have faith, I know God like his trusty people working healthy and you are an instrument that have a lot of use for the Lord.
-For those new visitors, hungry spirituality, that they will receive the Holy Spirit and joint our community to serve stronger the Gospel.
-For our Brother and Sister to carry out help and guidance with all our talents to these new ones

[Marcela]

Dave,

You are tough guy and I have faith you will be healed and be able to continue being Phillip and Doug's fishing buddy. Hang in there and God Bless!

[aj]

David,

This is your former Pathway Christian School Principa/pastor JTJ praying & believing for your speedy, complete recovery. It is gonna happen. You are young, strong and God is our Source. He will not fail His Children.

[beckie nieves]

Dave, Soooo many people have called me to ask about you, if thats any indication of how many people know you and love you...they are all covering you in prayer. We are standing on GODS promises for your complete recovery. Remember HIS WORD does not RETURN void.

[Ela Ortega]

Dave I have been in your shoes four different times and every time the LORD got me up again and again. I know that this a difficult time for you and your family but trust me when I say that HE has a bigger plan for your life. We will keep lifting you in prayer no doubt about that, you just lay there and let HIM heal you. We love you.

[anonymous]

Dave, Stay strong in our Lord. Do not question..Believe! I love you brother...Smile Dave.

[David Torres]

Hey All;
Eve and I went to see Dave at 5pm and I went at 9pm on 4/9. The latest I have heard is that he DID NOT have a stroke, but they don't know what's wrong. At 9 pm he had been in MRI and was there until I left at 10pm. Eve and I are praying hard for Dave and his family. Dave has been the backbone of the setup team, and works harder than anyone I know. Exept maybe Travis. A Pastor is ALWAYS on the job. I know...my Dad is a pastor. I know that God is going to perform a MIGHTY MIRACLE in Dave, his family and our Church. I believe that Dave will be a miracle because I am positive that God has a purpose in all of this. I personally was touched in seeing all of the band supporting Dave at 9 pm. Knowing that all have early days and jobs and some like Omar live a distance away just marked the caring and love we have for one another at Life Pointe. The sacrifice we make for each other will be rewarded on the streets of Gold.
Love and Peace
Dave

[beckie nieves]

Thank you Dave and Eve, I agree with everything you said, thats what THE LORD has lead me to believe. To just STAND on HIS promises and that this for HIS purpose and there are many miracles to come out of this. It is too much of a coincidance that this happened on Easter, so I am guessing that it isnt one. There are alot of people standing together as THE CHURCH in prayer BELIEVING for Dave. Pray that at least one doctor is lead ( by THE LORD ) in the right direction to find out what this infection is so that they can treat it.

[Travis Johnson]

Thanks to all for your support of Dave. It means a lot. I have been unable to return all of the calls. We'll continue to keep the updates here. Just know that Michelle, Chris, George, and Barbara are all appreciative.

[Victor]

David,

I and my family are praying for you and my and my family's thoughts are with you----

To All,

David has been one of my best friends for the past 25 years---we literally have grown up together and our families as well----to say that his situation has affected me and all of us is the understatement of the century-----he WILL overcome this because our God is a living, powerful God that WILL heal him and restore him...as Travis said, David is the type of person that will give you the shirt off his back---his work ethic is second to none...please keep him in prayer---I know God is going to perform a mighty miracle...

Love,

Victor

[Karen Bowerman]

Dave, God gives us miracles everyday, I know I just received another one this last week on April 1st, as my lungs were partially collapsed,and felt like a tight band around my chest. The pain was horrendous and I had to sleep sitting up. When I called Sister Ann to request prayer, she told me church was in a meeting, and I told her of the problem. When I got home around 5:30 PM, exhausted, I fell asleep for 3 hrs., awoke with my lungs popped open and the pain was GONE! Praise God for His miracle working love and timing. I just want to add that He actually healed Dave 2000+ years ago, and that everything we ever will need was already provided for us before we were a gleam in our parent's eyes, or before He ever created the galaxies. We praise Him forever! Dave, we thank Him for you and will pray for your healing and good report!

[beckie nieves]

Thanks Pastor Travis those scriptures are ones we ALL need to hang onto, especially now for Dave.
I am compelled to share how THE LORD healed my husband. About 7 years ago my husband felt crushing pain to his chest and passed out, thank GOD literally his was only a few blocks from S. Miami Hosp. The doctors knew that he had had a heart-attck but did not know the cause. While waiting in the waiting room there were other believers in there waiting to hear word about their son. Anyway to make a long story short, WE PRAYED. Not long afterwards the doctor seemed to know what they were going to do and off to surgery they went. The surgery was a success but there was a very long recovery and a multitude of medications for the rest of his life. BUT GOD, as of 6 months after the attack, today he doesnt take ANY medication and walks 1 mile every morning. I am believing for that same miracle for you Dave. And I will keep your family and friends in prayer.

[Annette & Jose]

We just found out what happened and we are speechless. Our prayers are with you guys in this time of need. if you need ANYTHING from us all please do not hesitate to ask. We pray that the lord puts his healing hands on Dave and Comforts this family during this turbulent time. We love you guys, stay strong and faithful.

[Annette & Jose]

We just found out what happened and we are speechless. Our prayers are with you guys in this time of need. if you need ANYTHING from us all please do not hesitate to ask. We pray that the lord puts his healing hands on Dave and Comforts this family during this turbulent time. We love you guys, stay strong and faithful.

[Nancy Lemmond]

Hi David,
Just wanted you to know, that I love you my dear long time friend. I have been praying for your complete recovery, and I believe it will happen, as we have a faithful and loving God, and YOU are His child. I will continue my prayers, and contacted my e-mail family and friends to do the same. You are in my heart, with love and friendship, and pray that you and your family will have the inner peace and assurance, that only God can give. This is what Jesus died for, for our healing, and eventually eternal life with Him. Take His hand, and feel his power, love, and healing.
Your friend in Christ Jesus.
Nancy and Ken Lemmond

[Mark & Terry]

Dave, we just want you to know that we are praying for you and we have Faith that the Lord will take over and just begin to heal your body and restore you to that strong,loving and caring person that you are. Please count on us for ANYTHING that you may need. We Love you and know that we will be seeing soon.

[Phillip Johnson]

Dave, you are in the warm hands of the Father. He loves you and cares so much for you. Know that there are so many people praying for you and believing the Lord for a miracle. I know God has a plan!
Your brother in Christ,
PJ

[Travis Johnson]

Guys,

Chris and Michelle, Dave's brother-in-law and sister wanted me to tell you guys how much these comments mean. Please keep them coming. I'll read the new comments to him each time I go up.

[Lisette Molina]

Dave,
You are awesome. I have faith the lord will heal you totally. We look forward to seeing you in church soon. As your old self. HEALED.Our prayers are with you.

Manny & Lisette

[Jim and Valarie Nelson]

The Lord is good all the time and all the time the Lord is Good. There is no place we can go and be away from God. Dave God is with you this very moment and at the exact place you are. He loves you so much. By His Strips We are Healed. We will keep talking to God about you. Jim and Val Nelson