Hello Team Fernando,
I have been asked by several people to provide an update on Fernando’s progress.  We’re very pleased that Fernando is making slow but steady progress. He is looking more like himself everyday with the facial bruising and swelling almost gone.  He still has significant swelling on the side of his head but that will also go away with time.  He still has no movement on his right side but is opening his left eye and seems to be tracking with it, we won’t know the full extent of the damage or if sight will be regained until later.  He has been working very hard on physical, speech and occupational therapy and has been very cooperative and eager to do whatever he is able to do to overcome and build his strength, balance, and relearn things, such as the ability to form words and use other methods of communication.
Therapy is exhausting for him and is usually followed by long periods of quiet and rest to allow his brain to continue healing and so he can build up stamina for the next go-round. This is why visitation is still limited to immediate family and Pastoral staff, his immune system is compromised, and it would be hard for him to fight off infections that could cause temporary or even permanent delays in his recovery.  For this reason, we will let everyone know when he is able to receive visitors.
Fernando’s hard work and determination paired with Daminica’s consistency in advocating for his needs and counteracting his inactivity by performing moderate intensity aerobic exercise by physically moving his arms and legs several hours a few times a day, has helped to retain his muscle mass and prevent further atrophy in his muscles that would make his overall recovery much more difficult. And surprisingly enough, she did this with a separated shoulder. He also gives her his ice cream in exchange for a massage. Even in this, their teamwork is admirable and speaks volumes of their love for one another.
The family is optimistically hopeful for this next stage of Fernando’s recovery.  We believe this will maximize his physical, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functioning and Fernando seems ready and up for the challenge.  Once again, we are at the mercy of the insurance company waiting for their approval to move him to the next facility, we expect the move to happen this week.
I choose the words “optimistically hopeful” to describe where I believe we are in this process. Although we continue to believe for a miraculous healing, that is optimism, not hope. Hope does not assure us everything will turn out positively, only that with God, all shall be well. Therefore, all is well, and we give tomorrow to God!
We also experience setbacks from time to time. As I was writing this, I received an update that his trachea is not coming out today as planned, he has a lot of secretion that developed overnight and they are not sure if he has an infection, this may delay his moving over to the other facility and may require treatment.  
Please continue to pray with us for Fernando, for no infection and that trache will come out. For complete restoration and healing, for wisdom for his medical team, for the healing power of plasticity to rewire new pathways to replace the ones that are damaged and for neurological connections to be made on his right side. Also, for perseverance and stamina for Fernando as well as for the entire family as we embark on educating ourselves and learning techniques to help further Fernando’s care in preparation for his return home. Thank you for your support and prayers, they have been carrying us through a lot of very difficult days.  WE ARE FERNANDO STRONG!
Dallas Harris

This is Buckey.  Ferndando loves Buckey.  Notice Buckey is holding a bag of mustard seeds.

Fernando Zamora is a remarkable man who has made a profound impact on my life.  As a Pastor, construction worker, handyman, Star Wars expert, a movie buff, and father, Fernando has been there for me in my times of need, offering guidance and support.  
He may not have been present for my early years, he may not have seen my first steps or heard my first words, but he has been a constant presence throughout my adolescence and young adulthood, guiding me through the challenges of growing up and teaching me the value of faith and determination, helping me through heartbreak and milestone events like prom, moving out, my baptism and graduating high school.
He was a strong sturdy wall to scare the boys that didn’t need to be in my life away, a hand to hold when I would lose my way from my path in the lord, a shoulder to cry on with dad jokes when I got my heart shattered by boys, and a goal to become when I grow up.
I am forever grateful for his unwavering support and the many lessons he has taught me throughout my life.   WE ARE FERNANDO STRONG!
Kieana Moore

Support for someone close to you requires hanging in there for them, staying connected with them, and fighting for them the way that they would fight for you. That is the mindset that I keep when supporting Fernando and Daminica.  I constantly ask myself,  “What would I want done for me in this situation?”
While visiting Fernando yesterday, we engaged in “knucklehead” activity!  At one point I had him painfully smiling bigger than he is probably supposed to be smiling and laughing from his gut as much as he is able to make the sound of laughter through his vocal cords.  I showed him a series of pictures of our congregation and he zoomed in on several faces.  He misses every one of you!
We played thumb war and every time I thought I had him beat, he’d quickly lock the tip of my thumb in place and look at me as if to declare, “C’mon, bro!”   We are very competitive with each other!   I’ll beat him yet!
I asked him if he was ready to preach and he swiftly and powerfully raised his left arm in the air with a closed fist, pumping it up and down as if to say, “I’ve been ready since 1978!”
We had a great “conversation” as he is able to clearly answer questions with a thumbs up or down or a side-to-side gesture with his hand to indicate a maybe.  He motioned for a drink of water at one point and I learned that he is able to drink water through a straw which he does with excellence!  I reminded him that it’s a far cry from his iced coffees that he absolutely loves!   He gave me the look, lol.
I watched his eyes look past me at his bride, Daminica, the way that he looked at her on their wedding day. His eyes locked onto her like a fighter jet locks onto a target.  He knows who loves him best.  She needs your continued prayers for comfort, strength, faith, and endurance.
Daminica asks for specific prayers that there would be no blood clots as the hemorrhaging in the brain dissipates.  She also asks for specific prayers for his right arm and legs to begin responding to his desire to move them. She asks that you also pray for his tongue and throat to allow food to be distributed appropriately so that he can start the eating process again.  She is overwhelmed by everyone’s love and support and is very appreciative of everyone’s consistent prayer for them and their family.
A good friend will walk beside you.  Not ahead of you or behind you, but right in step with you; especially during difficult times.  Let’s continue to be good friends to Fernando and Daminica as they weather this storm!
Pastor Adam

Greetings Team Fernando!
Our family appreciates you following Fernando’s progress and celebrating all of the small victories with us a long the way.  Every day we have seen victory and we love sharing all that God is doing through this tragedy and giving ALL the praise and glory to God!  There is also another side to the coin that I don’t always choose to share, but it is our reality just the same.  Every single person who has ever experienced a serious brain injury, like Fernando, also has a recovery journey just as unique as they are.  Recovery is not a linear process, it can often be a very long, slow process filled with daily and weekly fluctuations.  There are good days that fill us with hope.  There are much needed rest days where although we don’t see any visible change, we know God is still working and healing and then, there are other days that are just really, really hard, for all involved.  
There is no set time frame or expectations with these severe types of brain injuries and in some cases, recovery can take years and our journey as a family has just begun.  So, although we continue to pray without ceasing, trusting and believing God for a miracle healing, the reality is, Daminica still has to go home at the end of each day without her husband.  The life they just began to build together has been put on hold, indefinitely, and it’s heartbreaking and extremely hard!  She is also receiving treatment for her own injuries and working towards recovery in preparation for a time where it might be necessary for her to provide care for her husband.  
Fernando’s kids miss him, he has always been very engaged in all of their lives and has his own special and unique relationship with each one of them, and it’s hard!  Fernando holds a very important role not only in our family but in his community as well.  I miss my son, his friends miss their brother, Crossroads Church misses one of their Pastors, and all of this is hard!
Even so, God continues to pour out His grace on us each and every day, He is faithful to carry us through whatever each day holds.  We continue to rejoice and are overjoyed with every little victory.  We praise God for His goodness as we trust Him with the outcome even when it’s hard!  
I will be returning to work on Monday so I will not be providing daily updates.  Instead, I will be sharing when Fernando meets significant and important benchmarks, that way we can continue to rejoice and celebrate the victories together!  There may be occasional updates from Pastor Adam as well so please continue to check back for those and please, continue to pray for full healing and restoration of Fernando’s mind, body and spirit and for perseverance and endurance for the entire family.   WE ARE FERNANDO STRONG!
Dallas Harris

 Pastor Fernando

Hello Team Fernando!
This evening as I began to decompress and reflect on the events of the day, a word that kept coming to my mind was, “triumph.”  As Christians, our goal is to live in a daily state of surrender and since this tragic accident, this has meant literally trusting from one minute to the next that where God has placed us, He will also lead us in triumph!  Most of our days spent in the Acute Care Center have been incredibly tough while others have been more manageable, but each day is part of on ongoing process that we are committed to for the long-haul.  We remain hopeful and prayerful for Fernando’s full recovery and Fernando himself is a true testament of a man who diligently places his trust in the Lord, believing the Lord will triumph over his life!
Today we got to see Fernando triumph over adversity, remaining in an awakened state for a good part of the day and continually awed his therapy team to the point they dubbed him their “STAR STUDENT.”  He was able to demonstrate his ability to unzip and zip a zipper, unlace a shoestring, undo buckles and follow certain commands.  His personality is also shinning through as he continually and purposefully exceeds their expectations by over achieving the tasks given him, with excellence, Fernando style!
He is able to take Daminica’s watch off her wrist, hold it up to his eye and scroll through apps.  He recognizes and acknowledges people he knows by offering up his hand to say, hello, I see you and attempts a smile! It appears he is able to understand both English and Spanish and he is beginning to open his right eye periodically.  He was able to swallow on his own and chew on ice chips when they capped off his trachea, this is important because once he’s able to demonstrate he can protect his own airways, they will remove the trachea and it’s been a huge source of discomfort.  Fernando continued to amaze us throughout the day and we are overjoyed with his progress!  God is good!!!
Please continue to pray with us for a triumphal healing of his brain and that he regains movement on his right side and vision in his left eye, also for physical strength and endurance for the days and months ahead!   WE ARE FERNANDO STRONG!
Dallas Harris

 Pastor Fernando & Pastor John

Hello Team Fernando!
It’s been fourteen days since the accident where we found ourselves facing what appeared to be an impossible situation.  During the first week, the light at the end of the tunnel appeared more like a mirage in the desert. But, in our greatest hour of need, the power of unified prayer, anchored in unwavering faith began to bring forth little nuggets of hope, transcending our limited human understanding.
Every single day we experience moments of insufficiency, disbelief of the situation we’re in and feeling totally unequipped for the task at hand.  But, in our weakness, I see God’s power working! I see His power within Daminica as she ever so tenderly sits by her husband’s bedside, tending to his most intimate needs.  I see his cousin, Norma holding his hand to bring him comfort when he’s in pain. I see loving acts of kindness from all of their kids and how they have rallied to be a source of support for Daminica, as well as for Fernando.  I see faithful and steadfast friends, laying  hands on him and praying earnestly and fervently for his healing, celebrating the tiny victories along with us.
We are in a battle and we know our strength is worthless, instead, we rely on our ability to surrender to God’s plan, trusting that He can make a way where there seems to be no way.  We are beyond grateful for all of your prayers, love, the financial support and all of the good wishes and positive vibes being sent our way.  
Daminica is especially enjoying reading all the cards that have been sent and the encouragement she receives when she reads the posts on how Fernando has touched so many lives, in so many different ways. She is in awe of your generosity, its a huge blessing to the entire family and it’s what is carried all of us  through this difficult time.  We are beyond grateful!
Prayer requests are for Fernando’s lungs to clear and lab work results to come back negative for infection.  We are hoping they will be able to  remove his trachea soon and for the swelling in his brain to continue to go down which will hopefully help activate his right side and help it become more responsive.  Also, for his vision in the left eye to be restored.  Please keep the hospital staff in prayer as well, for compassion when treating Fernando and for the Lord to guide them in his care.
Please pray Fernando can get responsive enough and is able to answer yes and no questions with a thumbs up/down, which is the goal to get him over to Craig Hospital for more specialized treatment.
Praises - Fernando worked very hard through his therapy and was able stay in an awakened state for longer periods of time.  He is beginning to show signs of being able to follow some simple commands and was able to lift his head and move towards Daminica to receive/give a kiss.  It was heartwarming to see that!   May God richly blessed you all,   WE ARE FERNANDO STRONG!
Dallas Harris

 Fernando and his good friend David

My Friend and Brother, Fernando
Yesterday was probably one of the most difficult times I had visiting my friend and brother in Christ, Fernando Zamora. The realization of helplessness came over me, alongside the feeling of responsibility for being unable to simply get him out of this situation. We have always had each other’s backs. We have always been immediately available for each other whenever an unexpected difficulty arose. This is different. Fernando doesn’t need my physical strength. He doesn’t need my cerebral abilities. He doesn’t even need my advice. I am helpless to him.
As I squeezed his hand and asked him to squeeze back I thought of our handshakes. I always tell him, “Shake another man’s hand with firmness, but without causing pain.” After saying this one day, he showed me a technique for loosening a painful handshake from someone showing off their grip strength. It works!
I talked to him yesterday the way that I would talk to him if he were able to verbally respond. He is able to give me a crooked smile (like Elvis) and look at me through his badly damaged right eye. His response says, “I’m here, bro. I’m listening.”
I miss my friend’s voice. I miss his wisdom. I miss his encouragement. I miss his faith in God. I miss his humor. I miss his sarcasm. I miss his protective presence and his ability to talk me off the ledge. I miss his non-manly, iced coffees. I miss his love and passion for the word of God. I miss his orchestra movie soundtracks that he would play in his office. I miss his servanthood. I miss everything about him that makes him Fernando.
Psalms 27 came to mind during my visit. I pulled out my phone and read the whole chapter with boldness and volume. He stared right at me the whole time. The first verse of Psalms 27 reads, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
The Lord is Fernando’s light and salvation.  The Lord is the strength of his life.  I am confident that Fernando is fighting this battle with all of his might alongside His Lord.  Please don’t forget to fight alongside them in fervent prayer.  The battle is the Lord’s!
Pastor Adam

Fernando in depth thought at New Port Beach

Greetings, Team Fernando!
Daminica has been referring to the past couple of days as, "The Calm Before The Storm".  Getting Fernando moved and settled was an answer to prayer in itself.  Yesterday was a bit rocky as they worked to get him situated and settled but by evening, when it came time to say goodnight, we prayed over him as usual, and then left him peaceful and as comfortable as possible.  
Today begins a pretty exhaustive regiment of treatment to start the cortical remapping of his brain and working on keeping his muscle mass up.  We are excited and expectant of what the forecast will look like over the next few days, weeks and months.  We are steadied in knowing that behind the build up of precipitation and the swirling clouds, there is a power beyond our control, a finger pointing these storms along their proper course.  We’ve endured through many storms and God has always shown himself faithful in the wake of such great forces, so know the sun will come out and shine again!
Please keep prayers going throughout the day for strength, and divine resilience for Fernando as he starts his rigorous routine and journey back to us.   WE ARE FERNANDO STRONG!
Dallas Harris 

Fernando is a "Big Deal"

Hello Team Fernando!
Today was the day Fernando was approved to move from the ICU at the hospital to the ICU unit at the acute rehabilitation center.  Over the next couple of days he will be evaluated by a team of interdisciplinary clinicians, including physical medicine rehab physicians, internal medicine physicians, physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologies and rehabilitation nurses.  They will work together to create a high level of personal care and devise a plan to help speed recovery and promote better long-term results.  We were told the neurologist will be introducing a Multi-drug Cocktail therapy that improves neurological function and aid in firing up Fernando’s brain as they begin to introduce multiple types of therapy.
This will occur several times a day followed by one hour of brain rest in a quiet, dark room with no disturbances.  This will be a hard and exhaustive fight for Fernando as his brain begins to reboot but we know he will not be fighting alone, we serve a God whose spirit can and will pierce through the hardest of days and the darkest of nights.
Our prayer request remain for the complete healing of his brain, reduction of the swelling and for vision to be restored in his left eye and that he regains movement on his right side.  He is also having difficulty with fluid build up in his lungs and they are having to clear his trachea frequently which is quite distressing.  We need healing prayer for his lungs to clear.  
Please also pray for wisdom for the doctors and nurses treating him and that it will be done with love and compassion.  Please pray for rest, strength and endurance and continued healing for Daminica and prayers for the entire Zamora family are greatly appreciated.  We are FERNANDO STRONG!
Dallas Harris 

“Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter; whoever finds one has found a treasure. Faithful friends are beyond price; no amount can balance their worth. Faithful friends are life saving medicine, and those who fear the Lord will find them"  Ecclesiasticus 6: 14-16

Daminica and Pastor Fernando
"Do not fear, for the Lord your God is the One fighting for you"  (Deut 3:22)

Hello Team Fernando!
Today Fernando’s right eye appeared to be tracking and he appeared be trying to turn his head ever so slightly towards sound.  Pastor Adam was visiting and thought he saw Fernando smile. This was confirmed later by Daminica when she went in and saw him smile as well.  We are hopeful this means that the facial nerve that allows for various facial expressions is in tact. Dallas Harris 

We have a song of praise to share today!  We knew something pretty big had happened when Fernando’s physical therapy doctor literally came dancing into the waiting area, grinning from ear to ear, to share that Fernando had opened his right eye and moved his left leg and arm on command.  His right side was also moving more in response to pain.  So what does this mean?  It means that after seven days of being in an altered state of consciousness, Fernando is waking up!!!!!!
Side note: George, Fernando’s youngest son, had predicted something good was going to happen on the seventh day and we knows the number seven is significant in the Bible and symbolizes completion or perfection.  The doctors agree, Fernando completed the test to their satisfaction and they are now in agreement that what they saw today is not just spontaneous movement but purposeful movement in response to their external stimuli.  Afterwards Daminica, Norma (Fernando’s cousin) and I were excited to get in there and see for ourselves.  Sure enough, we asked him to open his eye and for a brief second he did.  He continued to try several more times and I can’t begin to describe the insurmountable joy and excitement that filled the room.  Just these small tasks absolutely exhaust Fernando and he still requires a lot of rest so that his brain can continue to heal.  Today, was a good day!
Our prayer request for today is that the approval from the insurance company comes through so we can get Fernando moved to the long term care facility either tomorrow or Monday at the latest.  There he will be able to get more specialized treatment and therapy.  Please also be in prayer for his brain and vision to be restored to full function and in the days ahead as he becomes more cognitive that God will give him the strength and resilience to overcome any and all challenges ahead.  We are so grateful to God and all the friends and family who are invested in his recovery process.   We are FERNANDO STRONG!
Dallas Harris 

Waiting!  There is a weight in waiting and we’ve been doing a lot of it lately.  The family is so grateful for everyone that has helped to bear this weight, either through prayer, financial support, bringing meals to the hospital or just sitting with us in the wait.
Today was a relatively quiet day with no real visible change in Fernando’s condition.  He is still sleeping and not quite ready to wake up yet.  He did get his helmet today so they can get his physical therapy started soon and they were able to sit him up in a reclined position for a while.  He was also off the ventilator for most of the day, breathing on his own.
He did get accepted to PAM Rehabilitation Hospital and the plan is to move him either Friday or possibly Monday.  There he will still receive ICU level care as they continue to try to rouse him out of his vegetated state.  That is really the next step, we are literally waiting for Fernando to wake up and once he can react and communicate in a purposeful way, then he has entered into the next stage of recovery. Please continue to pray for restored vision in his left eye and for his right side to get moving.
Also, please keep Daminica in your prayers as well.  She saw the doctor today and has limited range of motion in her neck, arms and shoulders and a lot of soft tissue damage, and will require treatment for her injuries.  
Faith is waiting/weighting for the answer, understanding that sometimes the answer is delayed but we know that in God’s plan, timing is crucial so we sit, we wait and we pray!   We are FERNANDO STRONG!
Dallas Harris 
 
Psalm 40:1 says, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry” (NIV).

This Turtle is one of many gifts Fernando has given me over the years.  Gift giving is one of Fernando's love languages and as I happened to run across it today, I couldn’t help but think of the fable, “The Tortoise and The Hare.”   The moral of the story is, “slow and steady wins the race.”  It’s an aphorism that means consistent effort or slow, productive progress leads to success.  Also, In many cultures the Tortoise represents a safe haven for the spirit, where one can go to find peace and tranquility.
Fernando WILL win this race.  Most likely at a slow and steady pace, waiting on the Lord’s perfect timing and resting in the safe haven of the Most High.  We are trusting implicitly in His power to get Fernando across the finish line for the GLORY OF HIS NAME!
I want to share some of today’s highlights.  The surgery to insert the feeding tube and tracheotomy was successful.  Fernando’s cousin, Pibe called and was able to pray over Fernando in Spanish.  His response to Pibe’s voice was the strongest reaction we’ve seen out of him yet.  This gave us a lot of hope that Fernando either recognized his voice or knew he was someone special to him.
George was holding his hand and squeezing it, on and off in a pattern sequence, and Fernando would squeeze back, repeating the pattern.  These are all pieces of the miracle unfolding, slow but steady!
Please continue to pray for God to open the door for Fernando to be accepted to Craig Hospital, but also that we would not trust in our own plans of where the right place might be, but rather trust God to put him where the right people are so he can make the most productive progress that will lead to his success.
Dallas Harris 

This Turtle is one of many gifts Fernando has given me over the years.