Having faith along with a loyal network of family, friends and a prayerful community of spiritual brothers and sisters has been relevant to Fernando’s recovery.  We were told early on that we were going to need a village to get through this.  Fortunately, Fernando and Daminica have a village, a village with both heart and ears.  Fernando would not be where he is today without the prayers, fellowship, love and support he has received from all of you.  

For instance, his good friend David has faithfully prayed with Fernando every single day since the accident.  His friends Brian and Leane, with the help of many volunteers organized a fund raising benefit in early October.  It was held at a beautiful location in Morrison, in a cave that is nestled on a hill between rock formations and trees.  It was a beautiful evening of fellowship, food, and worship along with a silent auction that raised money to purchase equipment necessary for home modifications.  Fernando’s friends, Randy and Carl along with a crew of volunteers will begin the home modifications soon.  

More recently Pastor Adam and Pastor John joined him in music therapy.  Word has it, they had quite the jam session with a crescendo of praise and worship resulting in a fragrant offering!   Another day, Pastor Will accompanied Fernando on his very first outing outside the hospital.  They went to the History Museum.  This was a huge step in Fernando’s recovery, being reintroduced out into the world with his present limitations and new challenges to overcome.  With Pastor Will’s support and encouragement, he did great and although exhausted afterwards, they had a great time together.   Of course, Jesus is the ultimate present one, only He can invade our life with His grace and be with us, for us, and in us, but Fernando is blessed to have the best of both!
A few days prior to their accident, Daminica shared with me that she and Fernando had privately recommitted their lives to serve God, to be all in, both agreeing to surrender completely to His will, for whatever He required of them.  Since their accident, I have replayed that conversation in my mind wondering exactly what God’s plan is in all of this.  Lately, I’ve witnessed so many “God moves” that I have even more cause to wonder.  Has He given them a specific assignment, one more sacred and purposeful than imaginable, an assignment that will impact the eternal destinies of a myriad of people?  Or maybe, as my good friend pointed out, merely to prepare them with the strength that would be necessary to endure through what was unknowingly headed their way?  Either way, I see the two of them living “all in” every single day.  So much so that people take notice!  Whether it be nurses, aides, therapists, janitorial workers or members of other patients’ families, Fernando’s room on most days is like a revolving door where people often pop in to say hello or just hang out for a bit.  One young lady recently brought him a special gift, a plaque she got for him that read, “Hard to put into words, his deep faith that reminds us we are not alone.”  Prior to her visit, she was a total stranger to us, none of us had ever seen her around the facility before that day.  Yet, she explained to us that she felt God speaking to her heart when seeing Fernando’s strong faith and the faith of those around him.  I must confess, at a very deep spiritual level, my own faith and walk have become more vibrant by being present there.
There are days at the facility where we notice a patient or two and their families toughing their way through, relying on their own strength and the resilience and ingenuity of the resources at hand.  We see their struggle; the unrest and frustration so we always stop to pray for them.  We also make a habit to pray for all the residents, families, and staff there daily.  I often pray specifically that God will continue to use Fernando and Daminica to spread the love of Jesus up and down the hallways of the hospital, taking Jesus into every therapy session on every floor, to the cafeteria and to the gym and anywhere else they go so that every person there can see what it looks like to rest in the faithful and gracious presence of the Lord.
The other day, Daminica and I were accompanying Fernando to one of his therapy sessions when a young girl and her father got on the elevator with us.  I noticed she had a very sad, distant, and blank stare about her.  Fernando noticed it too and unable to recall words, he immediately resorted to getting her attention by waving his hand and giving her a thumbs up.  At first, she didn’t respond, but by the time the elevator doors opened, she looked over at Fernando and wiggled her thumb back at him.  As she was heading out of the elevator, Fernando blurted out very clearly, “nice to meet you!”  Daminica and I just looked at each-other, dumbfounded and in total awe of how God used Fernando in that moment, giving him valuable words, fitly spoken to remind this girl she was loved and hadn’t been forgotten.  Since then, they have become fast friends, acknowledging one another with a smile and thumbs up whenever they cross paths.
God is the one who transforms tragedy into triumph, that’s just who He is and although I can’t pretend to know the ways or thoughts of God, I do believe that all of us who have been a part of their journey are witnessing a seemingly miraculous, divinely orchestrated event influenced by God’s intervention.  Fernando and Daminica are not inconsequential by any stretch, they are merely living out the commitment they made, to be all in, whatever He requires of them, ALL FOR HIS GLORY!  

Their hardship has not been easy, suffering never concludes without God’s power working through it supernaturally and from my vantage point, there is nothing sweeter or more beautiful than the gift of God Himself, manifestly present during our darkest hours imaginable.  He is the gift that can “change” everything!  Through all their emotional and spiritual ups and downs, on their good days and the bad days, whether they fight or succumb, the gift of His presence has been their rock and guarantee, that in Him, they have everything they need.
The Lord continues to direct them and just recently, a new opportunity has come forth.  A door seems to have opened and pending approval from the insurance company and Daminica’s work, they will head to IOWA to a transitional living facility where Fernando can receive further intensive therapy to improve his linguistic functioning and gain essential skills to better advocate for himself confidently.  He will also continue with his physical and occupational therapy to become more self-sufficient before returning home.  Not all patients are eligible for this type of continued rehabilitation program, only those who demonstrate a consistent capacity to improve and make progress in their recovery get this consideration.  Fernando’s doctor and therapy team believe Fernando can excel with some additional intense therapy and God willing, they will both be heading out as soon as Fernando has recovered enough from his surgery to make it safe to travel.

*** Prayer is needed for a way to be made for Daminica to accompany him to Iowa as his advocate.  This is necessary if he is to take advantage of this opportunity.  This would require approval from Daminica’s work for additional time off and she recently just returned back after being gone since the accident in July.  We are extremely grateful to the City of Broomfield for everything they have done to support Daminica through this, specifically to the gals in her department who, being shorthanded, have worked tirelessly to cover her workload and have graciously supported and encouraged her and Fernando through this. ***

***Prayer Requests ***
*** For Fernando’s upcoming surgery, uncomplicated recovery and for protection against any virus’ or anything that can potentially hinder or delay the surgery.
*** For everything to fall into place with the approval from the insurance company and for additional time off so Daminica can accompany him to Iowa.
*** For strength and courage for them to temporarily leave behind their network of support and step out in faith, trusting in whatever God has for them next.
*** November 4^th is their first wedding anniversary. I know neither of them ever thought anything like this was possible.  Please pray for a renewed sense of hope and resilience as they continue to navigate through this challenging time, that their love for one another will continue to be the beacon of light guiding them in their journey and they experience God’s healing power, mending, and restoring their lives.

I am deeply grateful for God’s incredible mercy and all the graces He has poured out over their lives and for His provision of their many and ever-changing needs.  I am also grateful to God for each of you for being part of our village, for embracing them with so much love, support and encouragement and in doing so, have become such a vital part of their journey!
Lastly, for anyone who may be suffering, please don’t let your suffering drive you away from God.  Rather, draw closer.  Healing and recovery can be a long and daunting journey, but ultimate healing comes from His hands!  You are not alone!
WE ARE FERNANDO STRONG!

Father God, I come before you, interceding and lifting my husband up in prayer, rebuking apraxia and aphasia in Jesus' name.  We pray for his tongue to be released and his speech and ability to communicate to be fully restored.  Also, we pray against the lung infection and fluid on his lungs. Lord, please breathe the breath of new life into his entire body.  The enemy does not want Fernando to overcome, but your Word says that those who seek to do evil against believers will fall. So, we tell Satan to stand down because Fernando is a child of God, chosen and covered by the blood of Jesus.  This battle has already been won in the mighty name of Jesus!
Today is the day we meet with the entire team to go over what Fernando’s recovery  journey will look like.  Please pray for all the doctors that they will have wisdom and discernment in knowing everything Fernando will need. We find comfort in knowing that at the end of the day, God is the creator of life and the great physician.  Ultimately, Fernando is in the hands of his loving Father.  We have peace in knowing that’s the best place to be.
Daminica Zamora