Miracle in The Nines

This pic was taken by the Denver Post the day of the shooting.  The Fellows and others from our church gathered at the closest corner possible to pray.

In reaching any city for Christ, it takes an army.  The group of Fellows from our Providence Center for Urban Leadership provides a ground force that can quickly mobilize for any need. In February, there was a murder of two young, innocent children by their mother who then committed suicide in the Globeville community (one of The Nines). Our group was on the scene praying before the news crews even arrived. The city knew immediately that there was a church in The Nines that cared. Pattie was a part of this team.

One of our Elders, Pepe Rojas, lives in the Globeville community.  He quickly became one of the spokespersons for the community and for Christ.  That night he led a prayer vigil for the victims and the community.  It was cold and rainy but nearly 60 of us turned out.  The Denver Post reported, “Rojas prayed for peace for the community, for Denver, for the state and for the country, in the wake of so much recent violence.  He prayed, ‘We want peace, and you are the prince of peace. Bring peace, Lord.’ "

But the story does not stop here.  There was also one more child,  3 year old Isabel, who was shot but not killed.  She was in a coma and in critical condition at the hospital.  Over the next weeks, Pepe made frequent visits to Isabel and the remaining family.  He prayed with them, comforted them, and anointed the young child with oil.  He was even able to lead one family member to Christ.  On Feb 17, eleven days after the shooting, Isabel came out of her coma.  Two doctors were quoted in the Denver Post:

"I don't usually use the word 'miracle,' but if you can ever use it, this would be an example," said Dr. Ken Winston, the neurosurgeon treating Isabel at Denver Health Medical Center. "She's doing extremely well, wonderfully well, given the severity of her injury."

"When I heard that word 'miracle,' I remembered the words of Louis Pasteur, who said, 'Chance favors the prepared mind,' " Bensard said. "I would say in this case, the miracle favors the prepared team, and that's certainly what she had."

“The miracle favors the prepared team.”  I believe the doctor was referring to the medical staff, and they certainly deserve their credit.  But I say the miracle began before Isabel reached the hospital, when a “prepared team” gathered on the closest street corner possible and prayed for God to work His miracles.  God is on the move in The Nines and I am thankful that God has placed us on the front lines for this city.

 
Isabel Perez, who was shot by her mother, recovers at Denver Health Medical Center on Feb. 22, 2013. (RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post)