On July 24, 2024, Pastor Fernando and his wife Daminica were involved in a car accident involving a motorcycle smashing into their car on the driver's side where Fernando was sitting. The motorcycle rider went through the driver's side window and his helmet hit Fernando on the left side of his head, fracturing his skull. He is recovering from major surgery at this time. Daminica was pretty banged up, but is stable and was released from the hospital. She will need our overwhelming support and prayers. You may send cards of encouragement to Crossroads Church of Denver and we will make sure they get to the Zamora family. The family is requesting privacy at this time as they are still processing this tragedy. Regular updates will be posted on this page.
The Zamora family has setup a Go Fund Me for those that would like to help financially. Your contribution will help lessen the burden of lost wages, living expenses, and support for Fernando's ongoing medical treatment. Whether it be by donating, or sharing this campaign, or praying for Fernando's recovery, we genuinely appreciate any support you can give. Thank you!
* * * Today is a Good Day for a Miracle * * *
12/5/2024 1:00pm - Update
Hello Team Fernando,
After a lengthy 133 days in the hospital, Fernando was released today (12/4/24) and is beginning his long-awaited journey home. He and Daminica transitioned over to Craig’s family housing unit where they will reside together for a few more days as they wait on the completion of the bathroom renovation and for finishing touches to be completed on the modifications at their house.
Today’s discharge signifies a significant milestone in Fernando’s recovery process and although his journey is far from over, we are grateful to have him home in time for Christmas! His recovery remains a slow process that will require on-going management. Returning home can be a complex transition with potential challenges making home both comforting and overwhelming. Daminica will be working to create a structured environment to manage his symptoms and facilitate recovery. Once home, he will begin his outpatient therapy three days a week at the rehab facility and Daminica will fill in on the off days, continuing with his occupational, physical and speech needs. Fernando still has a lot of cognitive impairments, including difficulty with motor planning, issues with memory and the aphasia and apraxia make it difficult for him to communicate.
Despite the numerous lung infections hindering his recovery, Fernando remained steadfast and faithful, working hard, and never giving up, despite all the insurmountable odds against him. We witnessed what Fernando’s faith combined with his mental resilience can accomplish and believe that will continue at home, helping him to overcome any future challenges he may encounter.
We are endlessly grateful to everyone who has worked so hard on the home modifications. It means the world to have the house accessible for Fernando’s return home and puts us at ease knowing he can be self-reliant and comfortable as possible. Also, the outpouring of support and the unleashing of God’s love we’ve received from our faith communities, family, friends, co-workers, and the medical professionals who helped us navigate this challenging time has profoundly touched us and was essential to Fernando’s progress. We are deeply grateful for every single measure of kindness extended to us and none of it has gone unnoticed or under-appreciated.
Returning home after rehabilitation is a major step for the couple and although they are excited at the prospect, they also anticipate there being new challenges to overcome. Please continue to lift them in prayer as they work together to find their new normal and establish a good, working daily routine. Prayers for restored speech, memory and vision, movement on his right side, healthy lung function and for continued overall healing of his brain are also appreciated. We remain hopeful for his full recovery, trusting that it will happen in God’s perfect timing.
In the Zamora family His name remains, “Wonderful Counselor”, “Mighty God”, “Everlasting Father”, “Prince of Peace”, “Lord of Lords”, and “King of Kings”, we choose by faith to make the good news of great joy a reality in our lives every single day. We want to extend to all of our brothers and sisters in Christ, a very, Merry Christmas!
May God make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed. 2 Cor 9:8
WE ARE FERNANDO STRONG!
Dallas Harris
After a lengthy 133 days in the hospital, Fernando was released today (12/4/24) and is beginning his long-awaited journey home. He and Daminica transitioned over to Craig’s family housing unit where they will reside together for a few more days as they wait on the completion of the bathroom renovation and for finishing touches to be completed on the modifications at their house.
Today’s discharge signifies a significant milestone in Fernando’s recovery process and although his journey is far from over, we are grateful to have him home in time for Christmas! His recovery remains a slow process that will require on-going management. Returning home can be a complex transition with potential challenges making home both comforting and overwhelming. Daminica will be working to create a structured environment to manage his symptoms and facilitate recovery. Once home, he will begin his outpatient therapy three days a week at the rehab facility and Daminica will fill in on the off days, continuing with his occupational, physical and speech needs. Fernando still has a lot of cognitive impairments, including difficulty with motor planning, issues with memory and the aphasia and apraxia make it difficult for him to communicate.
Despite the numerous lung infections hindering his recovery, Fernando remained steadfast and faithful, working hard, and never giving up, despite all the insurmountable odds against him. We witnessed what Fernando’s faith combined with his mental resilience can accomplish and believe that will continue at home, helping him to overcome any future challenges he may encounter.
We are endlessly grateful to everyone who has worked so hard on the home modifications. It means the world to have the house accessible for Fernando’s return home and puts us at ease knowing he can be self-reliant and comfortable as possible. Also, the outpouring of support and the unleashing of God’s love we’ve received from our faith communities, family, friends, co-workers, and the medical professionals who helped us navigate this challenging time has profoundly touched us and was essential to Fernando’s progress. We are deeply grateful for every single measure of kindness extended to us and none of it has gone unnoticed or under-appreciated.
Returning home after rehabilitation is a major step for the couple and although they are excited at the prospect, they also anticipate there being new challenges to overcome. Please continue to lift them in prayer as they work together to find their new normal and establish a good, working daily routine. Prayers for restored speech, memory and vision, movement on his right side, healthy lung function and for continued overall healing of his brain are also appreciated. We remain hopeful for his full recovery, trusting that it will happen in God’s perfect timing.
In the Zamora family His name remains, “Wonderful Counselor”, “Mighty God”, “Everlasting Father”, “Prince of Peace”, “Lord of Lords”, and “King of Kings”, we choose by faith to make the good news of great joy a reality in our lives every single day. We want to extend to all of our brothers and sisters in Christ, a very, Merry Christmas!
May God make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed. 2 Cor 9:8
WE ARE FERNANDO STRONG!
Dallas Harris
11/21/2024 8:40pm - Update
Hello Team Fernando,
Once again we find ourselves facing disappointments that have left us feeling disheartened and questioning the purpose behind all the struggles. The plans for Iowa fell through due to loop holes with insurance, Fernando and Daminica will not be traveling to Iowa after all. Having plans changed at the last minute was stressful, all our expectations were dashed, Daminica lost her job in order to accompany Fernando and the entire experience left us all feeling unprepared and uncertain of what comes next. This has been a particularly challenging four months marked with so many unforeseen disappointments, this felt like one more punch in the gut. We wrested with why God seemingly presented to us a great opportunity to a path forward, but then unexpectedly closed it off. It felt unsettling, confusing and disappointing. It took us a bit to get our bearings but we landed on for whatever reason, the Iowa path was not meant to be. God has something different in mind, something requiring that we trust His guidance once again. I feel like we’ve been enrolled in resilience school and we’re learning that resilience isn’t so much about bouncing back as it is about standing firm, despite the trials. Reality is, the challenges and difficulties ahead aren’t simply going to magically disappear, the Lord knows we need a strong foundation of faith and resilience in order to persevere through the tough times ahead. We’re also learning that setbacks don’t necessarily mean dead ends. Setbacks can also be crossroads where God’s purpose intersects with our lives, we can trust in the sovereignty of God and in His goodness even in these unforeseen detours. As we navigate through this latest detour, we once again ask for your prayers to navigate through whatever comes next. Fernando will be coming home, Dec 4th so please pray we can lean on the Lord and not on our own understanding or what we think needs to happen, get done or even on what our expectations might be once he’s home. Please pray for Fernando as he begins the small steps to integrate back home, back to his life, his friends and his family, for an enhanced ability to dwell in the small gifts of each day and for his confidence and sense of purpose to be renewed. We know His Word is true, His promises are sincere and His plan is never to harm us, please pray we will stand firm!
I’ll end with this. The other day, in music therapy Fernando was asked to pick a worship song. They wanted to perform a special worship ceremony in the Chapel in his honor and as a special send off gift to him. He had already been asked to provide his favorite worship songs but they needed one more to complete the set. Fernando chose, “To Raise a Hallelujah.” His therapist just looked at him with the most loving and sincere look, tears welling up in her eyes and she said, “Fernando, you just picked the perfect song!“She said, “it’s your song, you have been raising a Hallelujah from the very first day you arrived here!”
We cant know what the future holds, we can’t see the whole picture or even the road ahead, we only know that the one leading us is faithful. So, we will sing a little louder as we “Raise A Hallelujah!”
WE ARE FERNANDO STRONG!
Dallas Harris
Once again we find ourselves facing disappointments that have left us feeling disheartened and questioning the purpose behind all the struggles. The plans for Iowa fell through due to loop holes with insurance, Fernando and Daminica will not be traveling to Iowa after all. Having plans changed at the last minute was stressful, all our expectations were dashed, Daminica lost her job in order to accompany Fernando and the entire experience left us all feeling unprepared and uncertain of what comes next. This has been a particularly challenging four months marked with so many unforeseen disappointments, this felt like one more punch in the gut. We wrested with why God seemingly presented to us a great opportunity to a path forward, but then unexpectedly closed it off. It felt unsettling, confusing and disappointing. It took us a bit to get our bearings but we landed on for whatever reason, the Iowa path was not meant to be. God has something different in mind, something requiring that we trust His guidance once again. I feel like we’ve been enrolled in resilience school and we’re learning that resilience isn’t so much about bouncing back as it is about standing firm, despite the trials. Reality is, the challenges and difficulties ahead aren’t simply going to magically disappear, the Lord knows we need a strong foundation of faith and resilience in order to persevere through the tough times ahead. We’re also learning that setbacks don’t necessarily mean dead ends. Setbacks can also be crossroads where God’s purpose intersects with our lives, we can trust in the sovereignty of God and in His goodness even in these unforeseen detours. As we navigate through this latest detour, we once again ask for your prayers to navigate through whatever comes next. Fernando will be coming home, Dec 4th so please pray we can lean on the Lord and not on our own understanding or what we think needs to happen, get done or even on what our expectations might be once he’s home. Please pray for Fernando as he begins the small steps to integrate back home, back to his life, his friends and his family, for an enhanced ability to dwell in the small gifts of each day and for his confidence and sense of purpose to be renewed. We know His Word is true, His promises are sincere and His plan is never to harm us, please pray we will stand firm!
I’ll end with this. The other day, in music therapy Fernando was asked to pick a worship song. They wanted to perform a special worship ceremony in the Chapel in his honor and as a special send off gift to him. He had already been asked to provide his favorite worship songs but they needed one more to complete the set. Fernando chose, “To Raise a Hallelujah.” His therapist just looked at him with the most loving and sincere look, tears welling up in her eyes and she said, “Fernando, you just picked the perfect song!“She said, “it’s your song, you have been raising a Hallelujah from the very first day you arrived here!”
We cant know what the future holds, we can’t see the whole picture or even the road ahead, we only know that the one leading us is faithful. So, we will sing a little louder as we “Raise A Hallelujah!”
WE ARE FERNANDO STRONG!
Dallas Harris
11/13/2024 7:25am - Update
Good morning Team Fernando.
The time is drawing near when our friends, Fernando and Daminica will begin the next leg of their journey to Iowa. Comprehensive assessments for physical, communicative and neurophysiological evaluations have begun to gauge Fernando’s progress thus far, and to have as a method to measure the progress made upon his return.
Daminica also met with her HR people in hopes she could retain her insurance as well as her job while she accompanied Fernando to Iowa. Instead, they informed her they were letting her go beginning 12/20. It was a huge disappointment and one more obstacle for her to overcome. In situations like this, it can be difficult to understand the heart of God and the walls can feel as though they are closing in on you. I sat with Daminica after receiving this news and I witnessed the tears of a worn out soul pouring herself out to God. She had a good, hard cry and then I watched as she regained her composure and declared her confidence that God will continue to be faithful and provide for their every need.
I believe God purposefully stripped away anything that would cause her (them) to rely on anything other than Him. I believe this is one more step of faith, trusting and believing in God's goodness and power depending only on His guidance and strength to navigate through any difficulties ahead, rather than relying on a job, insurance or even family on support to get through. It’s about surrendering control and having an unwavering faith that God is going to provide. I believe Daminica has been refined by the fire, strengthened, prepared and made ready for the task ahead.
Please pray as they prepare to head out for Iowa, for faith to trust in the rehabilitation process and for the victory and complete restoration, in His timing! God’s speed, Fernando and Daminica!
WE ARE FERNANDO STRONG!
Dallas HarrisThe time is drawing near when our friends, Fernando and Daminica will begin the next leg of their journey to Iowa. Comprehensive assessments for physical, communicative and neurophysiological evaluations have begun to gauge Fernando’s progress thus far, and to have as a method to measure the progress made upon his return.
Daminica also met with her HR people in hopes she could retain her insurance as well as her job while she accompanied Fernando to Iowa. Instead, they informed her they were letting her go beginning 12/20. It was a huge disappointment and one more obstacle for her to overcome. In situations like this, it can be difficult to understand the heart of God and the walls can feel as though they are closing in on you. I sat with Daminica after receiving this news and I witnessed the tears of a worn out soul pouring herself out to God. She had a good, hard cry and then I watched as she regained her composure and declared her confidence that God will continue to be faithful and provide for their every need.
I believe God purposefully stripped away anything that would cause her (them) to rely on anything other than Him. I believe this is one more step of faith, trusting and believing in God's goodness and power depending only on His guidance and strength to navigate through any difficulties ahead, rather than relying on a job, insurance or even family on support to get through. It’s about surrendering control and having an unwavering faith that God is going to provide. I believe Daminica has been refined by the fire, strengthened, prepared and made ready for the task ahead.
Please pray as they prepare to head out for Iowa, for faith to trust in the rehabilitation process and for the victory and complete restoration, in His timing! God’s speed, Fernando and Daminica!
WE ARE FERNANDO STRONG!
"Peanut Butter & Jelly"
Fernando & Daminica
Fernando & Daminica
11/08/2024 3:45pm - Update
On Monday, "our hero in the half shell" underwent a 5 hour surgery to place a plate over the hole in his skull so that finally, after months of having to wear a very uncomfortable helmet, he could ditch his shell at last!
Brain surgery is complicated and risky and we were elated when Fernando woke up in recovery singing, “Amen, Amen!” We were put at ease knowing all had gone well. Then yesterday things took a scary turn. Fernando was sent to Swedish twice, once for a CT scan of his chest and head to locate the source of an infection that was brewing somewhere in his body and a second time for an MRI to rule out a brain bleed or clot.
Praise God, all scans came back clear and Fernando, although battling the after effects of a major surgery and looking like he got the worst end of a fight, is now being closely monitored through the weekend and is expected to be back in full Fernando force by Monday.
His spirits are high and he continues to shine the light of Jesus with everyone he encounters. It’s evident to anyone that spends any amount of time with Fernando that his life is being guided by God’s power and presence. This surgery is a big step towards his recovery and should help to stabilize the pressure in his head. We are anticipating gains in brain function, including memory, language, and visual-constructive abilities. This is our hope and our prayer!
A couple of weeks before the surgery, he and Daminica had an opportunity to go on an outing with some of the other patients and their chaperons. They took them to the mall where they could have lunch and do a little shopping. Fernando was able to pick out some new glasses, his old ones were bent up from the accident and were uncomfortable to wear. He also got to pick what he wanted to have for lunch. He chose a warmed giant pretzel that he could dip in hot, melted cheese and he was as happy as a man can be. He also played a game where you win a prize out of a machine. Of all the different prizes that were stocked in that machine, Fernando pulled out a little turtle, AND, he’s wearing a helmet to boot! What are the odds? I’d say the odds are most definitely in Fernando’s favor and his accident and everything he has been through since is an example of a simple truth, a truth that can encourage us all, God does the impossible.
Please pray for our hero as he continues to recover from surgery and for all the miraculous things awaiting him in Iowa as his journey forward continues.
Please pray as Daminica will also be meeting with HR on Tuesday afternoon.
Brain surgery is complicated and risky and we were elated when Fernando woke up in recovery singing, “Amen, Amen!” We were put at ease knowing all had gone well. Then yesterday things took a scary turn. Fernando was sent to Swedish twice, once for a CT scan of his chest and head to locate the source of an infection that was brewing somewhere in his body and a second time for an MRI to rule out a brain bleed or clot.
Praise God, all scans came back clear and Fernando, although battling the after effects of a major surgery and looking like he got the worst end of a fight, is now being closely monitored through the weekend and is expected to be back in full Fernando force by Monday.
His spirits are high and he continues to shine the light of Jesus with everyone he encounters. It’s evident to anyone that spends any amount of time with Fernando that his life is being guided by God’s power and presence. This surgery is a big step towards his recovery and should help to stabilize the pressure in his head. We are anticipating gains in brain function, including memory, language, and visual-constructive abilities. This is our hope and our prayer!
A couple of weeks before the surgery, he and Daminica had an opportunity to go on an outing with some of the other patients and their chaperons. They took them to the mall where they could have lunch and do a little shopping. Fernando was able to pick out some new glasses, his old ones were bent up from the accident and were uncomfortable to wear. He also got to pick what he wanted to have for lunch. He chose a warmed giant pretzel that he could dip in hot, melted cheese and he was as happy as a man can be. He also played a game where you win a prize out of a machine. Of all the different prizes that were stocked in that machine, Fernando pulled out a little turtle, AND, he’s wearing a helmet to boot! What are the odds? I’d say the odds are most definitely in Fernando’s favor and his accident and everything he has been through since is an example of a simple truth, a truth that can encourage us all, God does the impossible.
Please pray for our hero as he continues to recover from surgery and for all the miraculous things awaiting him in Iowa as his journey forward continues.
Please pray as Daminica will also be meeting with HR on Tuesday afternoon.
Please Pray for the necessary resources and provisions to allow her to accompany Fernando to Iowa.
WE ARE FERNANDO STRONG!
Dallas HarrisWE ARE FERNANDO STRONG!
Fernando
"Our hero in the half shell "
"Our hero in the half shell "
10/31/2024 11:36am - Update
Hello Team Fernando!
It’s been a significant amount of time since our last update and a lot of life has happened in the meantime. We’ve been attempting to learn the art of balancing life between home, work and hospital and it can quite grueling and exhausting at times. I will attempt to catch you up on the most recent goings on.
As some of you already know, Fernando’s trachea and g-tube were finally removed. He is completely off the oxygen during the day and only receives slight supplemental assistance at night while sleeping. All these things were huge victories worth celebrating and for Fernando, vital moments where he was able to take mental inventory of his progress. The next “big” step is his long awaited cranioplasty surgery, scheduled for November 5th. This is where they will go in to restore the contour of his skull by covering the piece that was previously removed with a custom contoured graft made into a titanium plate. As with all surgeries, there are risks for secondary injuries, blood clots, stokes and infection among other things.
It’s been a significant amount of time since our last update and a lot of life has happened in the meantime. We’ve been attempting to learn the art of balancing life between home, work and hospital and it can quite grueling and exhausting at times. I will attempt to catch you up on the most recent goings on.
As some of you already know, Fernando’s trachea and g-tube were finally removed. He is completely off the oxygen during the day and only receives slight supplemental assistance at night while sleeping. All these things were huge victories worth celebrating and for Fernando, vital moments where he was able to take mental inventory of his progress. The next “big” step is his long awaited cranioplasty surgery, scheduled for November 5th. This is where they will go in to restore the contour of his skull by covering the piece that was previously removed with a custom contoured graft made into a titanium plate. As with all surgeries, there are risks for secondary injuries, blood clots, stokes and infection among other things.
*** We would appreciate prayers for a successful cranioplasty surgery with no complications and for the surgery to have a significant impact on his cognitive recovery and rehab moving forward. ***
This is Fernando's new friend
10/19/2024 2:16pm - Update
I’ll forever be grateful for this note. My husband went on a trip not long before our accident and left this for me on our bathroom mirror. I thought it was the sweetest thing so I left it up even when he came home.
When there were no words, I still received from my loving husband, “Love you” every morning since the accident. It’s easy to become consumed by our circumstances especially when we are hurting. Every time I see this note, it reminds me how God is always providing for us. This note is “Love Ya” from my husband and “Love Ya More” from my Heavenly Father.
If we can just keep our eyes focused on Him and not on our circumstances. Thank you God for loving and provisioning for us the way you do. “All I have is a heart full of gratitude!”
Daminica Zamora
Pictures from the Fundraiser for Fernando at Willowbrook Amphitheater, Morrison, Colo
9/30/2024 5:20pm - Update
After my surgery, I wasn’t able to drive and I took an Uber to the hospital today. My driver and I had a great conversation, and when we arrived, he told me to keep the fare and told me he would be to praying for my husband. This random act of kindness reminded me of God's presence in our lives. It also reminded me of all the good in the world.
Fernando recently started music speech therapy, which has been such a blessing. This means for therapy we sing songs of worship like 'Made for More' by Josh Baldwin, which resonates with Fernando’s heart. During therapy, she used a communication board to express his feelings, he was erasing everything (pain, sorrow, fear) leaving only hope and praise. She said, I think you are telling me that you’re going to, Praise Him in this storm! (Casting Crowns) He raised his arm in praise, showing his faith and gratitude.
In physical therapy, Fernando worked hard to stand trying to do abundantly more then was asked, impressing his therapist. She commented on his positive attitude and his great sense of humor. She said, no wonder your wife likes you so well. Today, Fernando was able to meet his Spanish-speaking neighbor, who has at times been in distress. Fernando has been desperately wanting to talk to him but with limited words it’s been hard. But GOD, today they met in the gym. I told his interpreter, Fernando is bilingual and that I believe he understands what he is saying but because of his brain injury his words are limited. He told Fernando, that this is hard for him too. I told him Fernando and I would be praying for him. He said, that he would be praying for us too.
What happened next… was unconditional agape love! Both in wheelchairs they grabbed each others hands and shared a hug. They offered each other prayers and support without needing any words at all. There is no question that God was in midst.
In occupation therapy, Fernando was working his right arm and pushing through his pain, never refusing to try. His therapist praised his strong spirit and willingness to work hard. She turned on the music and it happened to be ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand' by The Beatles. This was his jam! This moment after everything that happened today, filled my heart with joy.
I often think to myself that there isn’t any way that I could ever love him more then I do already. Then he shows up with his contagious faith and unconditional love for others and ministering to hearts without a single word. Let that be said of me! May I always love so pure and purposefully. Let me live out my faith as loudly and sincerely as my sweet husband. Thank you Jesus for all the blessings!
Today was a good day!
Daminica Zamora
And He said to them, “Because of your meager faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17:20)
Fernando & Wil
"Two bro's taking a stroll"9/27/2024 11:25 am - Update
Hello Team Fernando,
We are praising God to be back at the Long-Term Rehab Facility after Saturday’s scare that sent us over to Swedish Hospital for 5 days. Fernando received a heavy dose of antibiotics to clear the infection in his lungs and today (Friday), he is back to the important business of recovery therapy!
We are grateful for your prayers on behalf of Fernando and Daminica, your prayers have been sustaining them in hope and comfort.
I have agonized over this tragedy and have questioned God trying to understand why something like this had to happen, but as I look beyond my grief with spiritual eyes, I see so much altruistic love coming from so many different sources that I realize, tragedy, although devastating, has the tremendous power to breakthrough hearts and unite us together. We all share that place in common, that place where God resides as our Head, where we find the grace and power to overcome every trial we face and fulfill our purpose and mission in His Kingdom.
Our family is grateful and humbled to be the recipient of comfort through the body of Christ and to witness such a beautiful display of the goodness of the gospel in such a personal way. Thank you and God Bless!
We are praising God to be back at the Long-Term Rehab Facility after Saturday’s scare that sent us over to Swedish Hospital for 5 days. Fernando received a heavy dose of antibiotics to clear the infection in his lungs and today (Friday), he is back to the important business of recovery therapy!
We are grateful for your prayers on behalf of Fernando and Daminica, your prayers have been sustaining them in hope and comfort.
I have agonized over this tragedy and have questioned God trying to understand why something like this had to happen, but as I look beyond my grief with spiritual eyes, I see so much altruistic love coming from so many different sources that I realize, tragedy, although devastating, has the tremendous power to breakthrough hearts and unite us together. We all share that place in common, that place where God resides as our Head, where we find the grace and power to overcome every trial we face and fulfill our purpose and mission in His Kingdom.
Our family is grateful and humbled to be the recipient of comfort through the body of Christ and to witness such a beautiful display of the goodness of the gospel in such a personal way. Thank you and God Bless!
Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness
9/08/2024 7:00am - Update
In these times of hardships, I have been given the opportunity to discover the depth of my faith. Like many of you, I have endured trials that seemed unsurvivable but time and time again, I have emerged stronger due to God's unwavering grace over my life. The pain of watching my husband fight for his life and struggling to communicate, has been a heartbreak that is indescribable and pales in comparison to anything I’ve had to endure thus far, but I have come to realize that our broken world is filled with heartache that is far beyond my comprehension. Despite the darkness, God's light always shines through.
Psalm 23:4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and staff, they comfort me."
Recently, we experienced a day filled with set backs, frustration, and a sense of sadness was looming. We had just settled back into our room when I heard a knock at the door, it was a peer mentor. I wish I could tell you that I was happy to see her, but I wasn’t. I just wanted to be alone and reflect on my thoughts. She asked if I wanted to talk and I said, “no”. So she came in anyway and shut the door behind her. She introduced herself as a graduate from the rehab center. She suffered a brain aneurysm and like Fernando, she lost all mobility on her right side, she lost the ability to communicate. She told us that when she got here, she was in the same room that we are now.
She was offering words of encouragement, reminding us of the power of God's miracles. (The fact that she was, walking and talking was not lost on me.) She was ministering to my heart. She said that she had heard that Fernando was a pastor and asked where he was pastoring. I told her, Crossroads Church of Denver. She said, "that used to be my church!”
When she said that, we knew that there is no such thing as a coincidence. We knew it was God! So we laughed, cried, and gave thanks for the blessings in our lives. God is always present, guiding us through every valley. This sweet woman walking into our room at the exact moment I needed her, was as close to feeling like God was actually hugging me as I have ever felt. It was the most beautiful blessing. I told Fernando, God sent this woman to us as a reminder of what is possible when we put our trust and hope in God. I told Fernando that the road in front of us isn’t an easy one, but with God it’s possible! God, never promised easy but He does make all things possible. We are clinging to that promise!
I have always been in awe of my husband's strength, determination and faith in the face of uncertainty, a testament to the power of God's love. We are beyond grateful for all the love, prayers and support of our family and friends. Truly, we will never be be able to get through this without each and everyone of you.
I am very aware that we aren’t the only ones walking through some treacherous valleys right now, if you are too, then this my encouragement to you, God sees you, He loves you and He is walking with you. It doesn’t make it easy but it does make it possible! My hope is that we all find strength in God's love and light in the darkest of times. If you don’t have that relationship with the Lord, please reach out. It’s never to late to join the family.
Daminica ZamoraI am Fernando Strong. Thank you Jesus!
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness'. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."