Chapter 16
Three Weeks in Peru
It’s a beautiful day in Fairfield County Connecticut on July 13, 2016: bright sunshine, clear blue sky and not a cloud to behold. It reminds me of when the world stopped turning on September 11, 2001. Now this might seem like a trite beginning to this story, even with the ironic reference to 911. But to use some well-worn clichés, the truth is stranger than fiction and it shall set you free. Miracles are strange, extraordinary, but also a simple matter of faith as small as a mustard seed.
I’m a month from retirement. Tebben, has been living and working in Peru for 18 months. She just turned 25 and Jesse is turning 20 in August. He’s about to start a new job in the produce section of ShopRite. I surprise Paula after work that day by showing up for her graduate information session on campus. I know there’ll be free food and beverages. We get home around eight that night and I’m getting ready to barbeque when I notice a missed a call on Whatsapp from Vivian, one of Tebb’s housemates. My heart pauses for a small moment, and I tell Paula calling Vivian back.
Vivian informs me that Tebb has been hit by a bus and is in Cuzco at Clínica Pardo. Tebb was in a meeting at a cerveceria in Pachar, a small town in the Andes about 20 minutes from Ollantaytambo (Ollanta), where she has been living and working for Awamaki, a small non-profit that supports women artisans from the local indigenous Indian villages. She was with her friend, Jason, an ex-Marine who had done a couple of tours in Iraq. He’s been struggling with his PTSD and has been sober for six months.
We’re all action; on the phone with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, conferencing with the clinic in Cusco, trying to book a flight to Lima. All action. My sister, Teresa, and my niece, Jacqueline, drive out from Long Island to be with us and drive us to the airport the next morning. We’re all action; we’re strong. We have a team. Vivian books us a hotel down the street from the hospital, Clinica Anglo Americana.
When we reach the place where there’s was nothing else to do, at that moment, I feel the fracture in my heart, the pain and anguish. A baby cannot cry like a grown man.
God also puts it on my heart to fast until Tebben wakes up. We know that family and friends expect the worst. No judgment from us, nothing but love and understanding; Tebben was hit by a bus, another common cliché (At least you didn’t get hit by a bus. Say you get hit by a bus). We have prayed our entire lives together for this moment. We have a choice and choose faith.
Through Social Media (Facebook and group texts), hundreds of people begin to pray.
July 13, 2016 Post from Vivian:
“After hit she was in and out for 10-15 min. once they put her in the ambulance she was unconscious. She has a compound arm fracture. She wasn’t bleeding a ton it was a head wound. Our landlord Juan knows the owner of the clinic and all the best doctors have been briefed on her condition. She’s getting a cat scan right now and we’re waiting for her to finish the scan. our friend Michelle a very experienced PA from the USA is with her in the scan.”
Tebben suffers a fractured skull, a compound fracture of her right wrist, a fractured pelvis and three broken ribs, all on the right side of her body. She and Jason had just gotten out of their meeting at approximately 5:00 pm. Tebben crossed the street (single lanes in each direction) and was waiting at the bus stop (as you can see from the photo, this stop was just an elbow in the road against the side of a huge rock). Jason was on the opposite side of the road and had negotiated with a cab driver to take them back to Ollanta. He waved to Tebben to cross the street. There was a van parked in the opposite lane; a car pulled into the oncoming lane to go around it and at the moment Tebben stepped onto the road to cross, a tourist bus swerved to the left to avoid hitting the car. The driver saw Tebb at the last minute and slammed on his brakes…too late to avoid hitting her.
After being struck she was in and out of consciousness for ten to fifteen minutes, spewing forth every curse word known to man. Jason was the first responder, which is the first moment of God’s Grace as he was field trained in first aid and CPR. Another of Tebben’s friends, Michelle, a physician’s assistant who worked at the local women’s clinic, quickly arrived at the accident scene. She was also positioned according to God’s plan, as was their friend, Juan, the owner of the cerveceria, who is from a wealthy family in Lima and whose connections are invaluable later on. Michele and Juan rode with Tebben in the ambulance on the two and a half hour drive to Cusco. The bus driver and his family showed up at the clinic and stayed the entire time Tebb was there, asking what they could do. The driver was distraught. He had not been under the influence of drugs or alcohol. She was stabilized at the clinic but they did not have the staff or equipment to treat her injuries. The plan was for her to be airlifted to a hospital in Lima the next day.
July 14, 2016 Posts:
“The start of the journey-
The minute Paula and I hear about Tebben’s accident we nail our hearts to the Cross, rest in our Faith and know she is safe and will fully recover. We immediately receive the Word from God- Exodus 14:14 and Jeremiah 29:11. It is the hardest and easiest thing we’ve ever done. Paula has nausea from the start. We get on the plane from Newark to Orlando. I’m sitting between Paula and Sheryl, who’s sitting on the aisle seat across from her husband. She is a middle-aged woman and is holding a book with a pamphlet on top titled ‘God’s Continuing Faithfulness’ by Charles Stanley. At that moment, I am struggling with fear and my heart is spiritually and physically broken. When I read these words, God speaks to me and reassures me of his mercy and grace. Sheryl notices that I see the pamphlet and hides it at the back of her novel. I have no idea who she is or what she believes but I know God plans to use her to bless us. About halfway through the flight, I introduce myself, explain our circumstances and tell her that God spoke to me when I saw what she was reading. She and her husband are spirit filled, faithful Christians and she and I share our testimonies, have fellowship and praise the Lord the rest of the flight. As the plane begins to descend, Sheryl says she wants to pray for us. I wake up Paula, who’s sleeping and still feeling sick. Sheryl begins and prays Jeremiah 29:11 into our journey. The instant she begins to pray and call upon the Lord’s name, Paula is healed of her nausea. This is how our trip begins (see story of PT John Angeles from time in clinic in Lima, as it pertains to Jeremiah 29:11.” It’s a God start.
In Orlando we transfer to a flight to Lima and arrive in Peru at 10:45 pm. Vivian meets us at the airport. She’s the first of the ministering angels we’re destined to meet. She tells us that Tebben is still unconscious and was initially given Fentanyl for pain because of the compound fracture. They also started her on a drug that would reduce the brain swelling. The airport’s a beehive swarming with people. After we convert some cash into soles, we get into the taxi that Vivian pre-booked. It’s like being in a movie, balancing between fear and faith. It’s around midnight and a radio news broadcast is playing. Vivian interprets and tells us there’s been a terrorist attack and the Eiffel Tower is ablaze. It’s of no consequence to us. It’s later determined that the Tower caught fire accidentally but was at first thought to be connected to the 19-ton cargo truck that was deliberately driven into crowds of people celebrating Bastille Day on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France that day, resulting in the deaths of 86 people and the injury of 458 others. It was just another day in our new upside down world.
We arrive at the Gran Hotel Betsy at around 1:00 am on July 15th. Tebben would arrive at Clinica Americana later that morning. There’s a lot of dogs barking early that morning, as if they sense our fears. We sleep some and for me, the hotel café becomes the weeping place. I am inconsolable, uncontrollable in mind and body, thinking about the moment of impact on her body, her mind, and I weep and sob and feel my heart dissecting, and Paula is strong and each morning thereafter that first week, we swim in tears of prayer.
We’re met at Clinica Americana by the president and owner of the hospital, a friend of Juan’s father, who assures us of the best of care. At 1:45 pm the airlift from Cusco, carrying Tebben, Juan and Michelle, departs for Lima. It lands at approximately 3:00 pm and arrives at the clinic an hour later. We see the ambulance from a second floor lobby window as it pulls up to the emergency room. We run down to the street in time to be there when they remove Tebb from the ambulance. She looks so small and fragile lying on the stretcher, like a baby swaddled in a blanket. She’s intubated and has multiple IVs attached, still unconscious. The only visible part of her body is her closed eyes. Paula and I hold each other tight as they wheel our baby into the ER.
Tebben’s placed in the Intensive Care Unit, which has very strict rules on visiting, the first being only one visitor at a time, wearing scrubs and a face mask, the second being very limited visiting hours. They eventually break that rule for us and allow 24-hour access. They make exceptions to a lot of the rules for us, as guided by the Holy Spirit. The hospital is immaculately clean. There are housekeeping staff buzzing around like drones, vacuuming, mopping and wiping everything down 24/7. This is a good sign. There’s a cleansing atmosphere over the hospital, which was founded by British missionaries in the 1920s.
July 15, 2016 Social Media Posts:
“Tebben Gill Lopez is sleeping right now. Initial prognosis is favorable. Spent a powerful time praying over her- praying in the spirit and God’s prophetic words over her temple and the atmosphere in her room and this hospital that was founded by British missionaries in the 1920s- 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Isaiah 40: 29-31, Ezekiel 14:14, Philippians 1:6. Read these verses into your prayers for Tebben.
No bleeding on the brain-swelling going down, no femur break, no internal injuries, breaks all manageable.
She’s sleeping- all drugged up because she’s agitated, which is good, and they don’t want her to stress the breaks, particularly the pelvis.
The sedative, combined with the drug directly involved in reducing the brain swelling have her unconscious but they are reducing the sedative gradually.
The blessings just keep coming. We just met a mother and son outside Tebben’s room, who told us that the neurosurgeon who is caring for Tebben has a great healing anointing in addition to his skill and he recently performed a miraculous surgery on a young girl and saves her life. We gave thanks and prayed together for Tebben and their father/husband, a miraculous stroke survivor!
I just spoke to Dr. Hinojosa the neurosurgeon. I was in with Tebb and he came in. What he told me is nothing short of miraculous. He said she has NO bleeding on the brain and NEGLIGIBLE TO NO SWELLING. I asked him three times to clarify but he didn’t waver. So the plan is to wean her off the sedative tomorrow so she can wake up, see her status, and figure out next steps. The trick is finding the right meds to allow her to come ‘back to reality’ while making her comfortable pain-wise. We are now believing specifically for a good pain-free awakening and a good cognitive assessment. So as has been the case, keep your prayers coming. They make all the difference.”
A team of prayer warriors is beginning to grow. Our niece, Danielle, sets up a Facebook page; Paula and I start group text messages and I write numerous public Facebook posts. There will soon be hundreds of people following our journey and praying into our trial.
The initial prognosis is favorable: brain swelling going down, no internal injuries, no femur break. Tebb’s in a medically induced coma. She’s on a morphine drip and is also receiving a drug that reduced the brain swelling, which is necessary in order to do an MRI and determine if there is any brain damage. Tebben is agitated, fighting (another good sign) the drugs preventing her from placing stress on the fractures, particularly her pelvis.
The plan is to wean her off the drugs tomorrow, wake her up, assess her status and determine the next steps. The challenge is to find the right combination of medications to allow her to “come back to reality” with minimal pain and a sound cognitive assessment.
July 16th was an amazing day. Interchangeably, Paula and I are able to spend five hours with Tebb, most of the time praying in the Spirit and singing hymns and Psalms. Tebben begins to struggle and fight into her healing as they slowly reduced the sedative. During one of my visits, she does a crunch, raising up both knees and lifting her head off the pillow. I see her pain but more the intensity in her face; being healed but in a hurry, inpatient and frustrated, the same Tebben we’ve always known. Toward the end of that visit, she sits hallway up, opens her eyes and sees me, praise the Lord! They decide to let Paula and I visit together. At one point, Paula says “Open your eyes honey.” and she immediately responds and looks at us. Later in the evening, when Tebb’s once again wrestling with her pain and frustration, she nearly sits upright in bed and when Paula asks, “Are you in pain?” she nods her head up and down in affirmation. It’s hard to watch her suffer and see her frustration but a greater blessing to see more evidence of her healing.
That day we speak with the facial surgeon who examined Tebb. He tells us that she may not need surgery on her right cheek but he would have to reevaluate in two weeks. He also tells us that her eyes are responding well to light (we have already seen evidence of that) and that she will be evaluated by an ophthalmologist. After he leaves we lay hands on Tebb’s face and pray for her complete healing. Everyday we lay hands on the injured parts of her body and pray for a healing. Before we leave, the nurses ask Paula if she can stay because they see how Tebb responds to her.
July 17th and another morning of anguish in my soul and heart. My spirit is willing but my flesh is weak. I sit in the cafeteria of our hotel and picture Tebben in her hospital bed. I think of the moment of impact, when the bus broke her body and I feel the impact on my heart. I read my Bible and receive “For God who said ‘Let light come from darkness’, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6. It’s the same light spoken into existence that is in us in Christ! Beyond understanding. “For the secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and our children forever.” Deuteronomy 29:29
Encouraged, I visit Tebb that afternoon, mostly singing to her. I joke with the prayer warriors on social media about my beautiful voice , which worries me because Tebb might think it was an angel singing to her. Dr. Hinijosa comes in and tells me that there’s no brain damage, and they may wake her up tonight or tomorrow, at which time they will remove the breathing tube and start talking to her to affirm his diagnosis 100 percent! Thereafter, we’re alone again. I am overjoyed and say, “Tebb look at me,” and she opens her eyes and looks into mine! She’s now basically responding to us and her friends by opening her eyes when someone calls her name and raising her eyebrows as an expression of surprise.
On July 18th, Tebben is still coming down from the sedation so she’s in and out of consciousness. They tell us to talk to her and Paula goes on for hours but especially catches her attention and opens her eyes when she tells her that: She’s going to be the next new superhero – TEBBEN, they should get new matching tattoos saying AMAZING GRACE, Idris Elba called and he’s leaving his wife for her (she actually tries to laugh but still has a breathing tube in so Paula knows she needs to tone it down), She wants to climb into bed with her and watch Tarzan (Tebben smiles), Jesse sends his love and is praying for her, Her eyebrows look great, are her friends Rosanna and Isabel helping her with them?, It’s uncle mich’s birthday. Paula also asks her some yes/no questions which she responds to with nods: She tells her she’s a rock star and asks “Are you feeling me?”; she nods yes. She asks if she’s surprised to see us; she nods no. Paula also gives her a neurological status exam and she responds accordingly. She tells her to blink, squeeze her hand, nod yes and no. She also has an x-ray taken of her wrist, which means they’re were getting closer to performing surgery and they tell us that the breathing tube will be removed the following day.
Paula sends out this message to the hundreds of prayer warriors on vigil: “Pls keep ur prayers coming. They make all the difference. We’re trusting Jesus for night of supernatural PEACE & REST as she continues to come down off the drugs and they find the right balance for her pain meds. This is her theme verse God gave me that I pray over her constantly. Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ Please join me in this prayerful refrain. love you all.”
Tebben is taken off the breathing tube and becomes fully engaged talking and understanding what is happening to her and what’s going on! Praise the Lord! I sent this message out: “And these signs will accompany those who believe:” Mark 16:17 Now get this! Tebben was hit by a tourist bus and came away with barely a scratch on her beautiful skin, no brain damage and so far requiring only one operation to repair the compound fracture on her arm. We are witnessing Holy Spirit Wolverine healing through the Blood of Christ- a miracle.”
On July 19th Paula spends the morning talking to Tebb. It’s hard for her to speak at first because the tube removal left her throat very sore. After a while she understands and answers Paula’s questions with yes/no, or repeating what she said. Eventually, they have a conversation: “Do you know who I am?” “your my mom” ( like “duh”). She asks Paula what the box is at the bottom of the bed with all the wires coming out of it and tells her the phone is ringing again (it was one of the machines she was hooked up to). At one point she looks worried because she realizes she was in a bad accident. Paula tells her, “You were asleep for 4 1/2 days, but you’re 500% better than when you arrived in Lima and 200% better than yesterday and 100% better then when we came in this morning till now. I promise you’re going to be perfect again soon.” Tebben replies, “I’m so happy to hear that.”
We have to leave Tebb’s bedside because the nurse comes to prep her for surgery. We spent most of the day with her. It was a great day but as she became more aware, the realization of what happened settled in and caused her to be a bit discouraged. We ask for prayers of encouragement and hope. Her wrist starts to hurt her badly at one point so the surgery can’t come soon enough. She’s slated to be in surgery between 2-3 hours. We ask for pray for the surgeon’s hands to be steady and able after a long day, the anesthesiologist to be brilliant, for Tebb to be without pain before, during and after and for everything to go better than expected as it has been.
Early that morning we speak to the surgeons. The surgery was successful. They removed the broken bone protruding from her wrist, filled the area with bone mortar (compound from corpses) and braced it with titanium rods on both sides. She will have full use of her wrist after an extended rehabilitation. She did great with the anesthesia. We shared:
“Surgery on wrist (compound fracture) successful.”
Update from Paula: “Tebben’s catheter is now out. Hallelujah❣ Her pelvic fracture doesn’t require surgery. Her facial fracture doesn’t require surgery although the surgeon said he could fix the barely perceptible indent in her upper cheekbone. It’ll be her call. She is resting well but still pretty out of it bc of the pain meds she needs to feel comfortable with her wrist. The neurosurgeon said she can travel as early as one week but that would be by transport to another hospital in the US – probably Houston. We’re still figuring it out. Full restoration and healing will take between 4-6 months. THAT AINT NOTHIN!!! Praise JESUS❣ Pls continue healing prayers for NO PAIN so drugs can be lessened, finger movement for circulation in wrist and hand, full consciousness and short term memory intact again. Thank u to all GODS ANGELS out there❣ We couldn’t do this without ur prayers.”
“The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still.” Exodus 14:14. This is the prophetic word over all of us now. So, the morning after surgery, Tebben has some pain in her wrist. We pray that Jesus take it from her and when I ask her, “Tiene dolor?” She answers “un poco.” Thank you Jesus. Thereafter, Tebben has a nice lunch of chicken broth, orange and some jello. I encourage everyone to take time to and be still-Psalm 46:10. Let the Lord fight for you.
7/20/16 Social Media Updates:
“Tebben just moved the fingers on her right hand on her own! Philippians 4:13
Tebben just moved all of her fingers at the same time to try to make a fist! Fist of healing fury!”
“She just wiggled all of her fingers!”
“No matter how many promises God has made they are yes in Christ and so through Him the amen is spoken by us to the Glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:20. As you have been reading about, God has kept all his promises to us and our family about his mercy and grace. Pray that today, He lift Tebben Gill Lopez out of the morphine cloud, and she is moved to a regular hospital room where they will allow the three of us to stay for the remainder of her hospital stay. Can I get an amen!”
Amen. To see movement that quickly after surgery inspires us and the formation of a fist symbolizes Tebb’s fighting spirit. It also speaks to the fighting to come on different battlefields: each other, our fears, the world and the enemy.
7/21/16 Social Media Posts:
“As Tebb emerges into more focused awareness, there have been some battles with fear and confusion as a result of the powerful effects of the narcotics and her reality. Regardless, she has found strength in the name of Jesus, prayer and his word. Last night we prayed James 4: 7,8 and 1 John 4:4. Please read these verses out loud and pray them into Tebben today.”
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.” Luke 19:38 We read this during the morning reading and praised Him. Be in His Word and receive His strength.”
From Paula:
“Today was another good day. Another day of firsts. For the first time since the accident Tebb: ate two solid food meals (albeit tiny bites, but slow and steady wins the race), had the longest periods of consciousness that she’s had (attributed to no more morphine), used a bedpan, engaged with the physical therapist – moving her fingers on her right hand on command to stimulate the healing of her wrist (Daniel the PT was very pleased with the decreased inflammation in her fingers due to the fairly ongoing massaging that Ray and I did all day). Tebb’s still groggy but not like she was. Everyday is better and we are SO GRATEFUL TO GOD and the prayers of the saints (all of you). Praise Jesus❣ Three highlights of my day:
1) An older weathered Limanan woman was sitting in the corner of our waiting room camp, her grandson was in an accident. She asked Tebb’s friend Isabel why we were there. Isabel shared in Spanish. The woman replied that she couldn’t sleep last night because of her grandson’s accident so she prayed all night long. The wise woman said “God is SO good. He gives us evidence of his greatness and He doesn’t leave us alone.” I took that to mean that He pokes and prods us with His encouraging presence because that’s what He’s been doing since the second we found out about Tebb’s accident. The next moment after Isabel translated the woman’s words I got a text from my sister Carla with a link to a blog post. Contained in the post was this verse from Isaiah: “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13). Brought me to tears of joy. It’s Tebb’s right wrist that is broken and caused her excruciating pain at times.
2) I bought some fresh beet, pear, lemon, apple & ginger juice and Tebb indicated she wanted to have some. I asked the head nurse for permission to let her have some and she said yes. Tebb was giddy with excitement at the prospect of sipping some fresh juice.
3) Lunch today was a delight. It was just me and Tebb and we had an extended time of conscious conversation. She was smiling and understanding more and more.
Pls continue to pray for clearance out of ICU into a regular room tomorrow, for a medical transport flight home to CT and against the negative effects of the anesthesia (she’s was a little anxious tonight). We’re meditating on Exodus 14:14 – The Lord your God will fight for you, you need only be still. 💟 Thank you for all your love.”
“Amazing Grace. So all understand how God is working here. I know you have all been keeping track of Tebben’s progress. In answer to the prayers she is really waking up today, which creates more challenges for us all. Everyone knows she is a fighter and can be a little impatient at times. She is ready to go to the next step! Today, while her PT, John Eric Angeles, was working with her fingers, she was experiencing some significant pain and Tebb and I prayed that Jesus take her pain. This released John and he began to prophecy into her life, specifically Jeremiah 29:11, about the plans God has for prospering her. This is the same verse that Sheryl prayed over us on the plane from Newark to Orlando. John told Tebb that he and his wife are praying for her everyday, and we prayed together before he left. “Aren’t all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.” Hebrews 1:14. So all understand.”
At this point we almost need to create a chart to document all the dots God is connecting for us.
From Paula Gill Lopez
“Today was another good day. 🙏🏽Entering the ICU I met Dr. Torres Marquez the neurologist who is the point dr. for Tebb’s care. He was not entirely thrilled with her progress and said he needed her to eat more and use the bedpan (with assistance of course). I was not happy hearing he was not thrilled, as I was extremely thrilled with her progress. The doctor ordered MRIs to check her pelvis and head. When I arrived in Tebb’s room around 9am she was awake and engaged for about 4 hours, fell sound asleep for about a 1/2 hour and I had to wake her up to eat lunch. I hated to do it but she wasn’t going to be able to eat for 8 hours before her MRIs at 9pm so she had to eat at noon or not until 10pm. Tebb was up for the remainder of the day talking a blue streak and entertaining her friend, Laura, who arrived today from Ollanta. Laura works and lives with Tebb. Tebben was still a little frustrated bc she is not able to remember things especially in immediate short-term memory. But at one point in the late afternoon a switch flipped when she with only Ray and I and though her short term memory is still elusive, she took an entirely different stance. In a metaphysical dissertation she shared that she was going to change from being a victim to whom things were happening to an empowered observer of her experience. Instead of focusing on what she can’t do, she decided to focus on what she can do. Our mouths were agape in awe. So what she can do today that she couldn’t yesterday:
1) eat almost all her eggs for breakfast
2) eat a piece of buttered bread by herself with her left hand
3) engage more fully in PT by opening and closing her fingers on her right hand
4) use the bedpan
5) stay awake in conscious conversation all day
6) accept and be with her circumstances
Given the progress she made today the doctor gave permission to move out of ICU into her new room tonight after the MRIs but recommended she sleep one more night in ICU and move tomorrow. It was Tebben’s call and she agreed. Hallelujah!!! God is SO GOOD❣ Pls pray for good MRI reports so we can move to the next step in her healing. She’s in having the MRI now. Tebben is “SO BORED.” She wants to gets up and move around. Pls pray she can do that soon bc she’s getting a little feisty – miraculously bordering on obnoxious. To God be the ALL HONOR, PRAISE and GLORY. Thank u Lord Jesus for bringing us back our little girl. 🙏🏽✨
💜
Therefore I tell you whatever you ask for in pray, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
-Mark 11:24
💟
“So, Paula is halfway through drafting the next update (it’s been a great day), but I must share that we spent the greater part of the afternoon listening as Tebben orated her doctoral dissertation on meta-physics and the collective unconscious as they connect to interpersonal relationships and mindfulness. It was quite a bit beyond my intellect but I did absorb parts of it. I’m not kidding. I wish I recorded it.”
The 21st is a miraculous day. To see Tebben being healed by her own faith is a blessing. To see her mind working at such a high level in spite of her TBI is powerful. She built a bridge between the physical and metaphysical, crossed that spiritual bridge into her future and saw the healing of her mind and body! God’s continuing faithfulness is evident in Tebb’s physical therapist, John Angeles, who brought us back to where we began our journey when he prayed Jeremiah 29:11 into Tebb’s life, while healing her wounded hand; “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord…”
7/22/16 Posts:
“Another prophetic word of God, this one a word of wisdom through Tebben Gill Lopez. The other night she was telling Paula and I about how she had to fight for the unborn baby. Her prophetic PT, John Eric Angeles, who prayed a prophetic word through Jeremiah 29:11 into her life and His plans to prosper her, told me this morning that his
wife, Catherine is pregnant with their first child, Nathan, who will become a missionary. At that moment, God made it clear that Tebben was praying for Nathan, their unborn baby. This is Holy Spirit/prophetic PT. We end each session in prayer. We prayed for God’s plans for Tebben and Nathan. “
“This is the cleanest hospital I have ever been in. There are people cleaning every nook and cranny-24/7. I think they might be cyborgs. I’ll check with Tebben Gill Lopez. She would most certainly know if this is the case and where they fall on the time warp continuum.”
“Tebben left the ICU today and the 3 of us are now sharing a private room together in the hospital. Thank you Jesus.”
Things are happening fast. The supernatural becomes natural in the space between us, where we connect through faith and the Holy Spirit. The battle is on and we we’re winning. The spiritual hosts of wickedness do not rest. They plot against us, using the fears of expecting parents, against Nathan, while still in his mother’s womb. They do not want to see another missionary enter the world, but Tebb joins in the battle and we have victory.
7/23/16 Posts
From Paula:
“Elaborating on Ray’s update-TODAY WAS ANOTHER GOOD DAY. The
room is way larger than our hotel room was, smells way better, friends can
hang out with her, we’re no longer paying for a hotel BUT MORE
IMPORTANTLY we get to be with Tebb through the night to calm some of
her residual anxiety from meds and trauma. PRAISE JESUS❣
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the
world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
-John 14:27
Tebben has been walking to the bathroom ( a few feet from her bed) , con
ayuda de sus padres, and she just took a shower! More to come.
Philippians 4:13”
7/24/16
“She’s back with us again. Amen. Thank you for the prayers.
The IV is out-no more antibiotics. One more positive step forward.
Tebben has been suffering throughout the night and into this morning with
delirium and paranoia, a side effect of the morphine that swam through her
body when she was sedated. Please pray for her healing and deliverance.
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of love, power and
self discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Tebb is obsessed with three things: when we are going to eat, going to the bathroom, and messing with her IV. She wants to go to the bathroom every five minutes and tells us it will only take “a hot second.” I have never heard this expression before but I’m beginning to understand what it means. It’s dangerous for her to get up which is why she has a bedpan, which we help her to use. But the next few minutes she wants to go the bathroom “please for a hot second.” We tell her no; use the bedpan. A few minutes after breakfast she asks when we’re going to have lunch, and keeps asking every five or ten minutes. She keeps pulling at the bandages around the IV in her right wrist and eventually rips it out with her teeth when we’re not watching. Fortunately it was coming out that day anyway and we are all very much relieved about that. It’s one less thing.
The attacks come at night. Tebb wants to get up and use the bathroom “please just for a hot second.” We are exhausted and trying to get some sleep. It’s a small room with a recliner and a very hard couch. Paula gets in bed with Tebb but needs help because Tebb is delirious. She doesn’t recognize us, “Who are you People? What are you doing to me? Why are you in my bed?” We have her trapped between us. I am at the bottom of the bed and Paula at the top. We are using our legs and arms to stop Tebb from jumping out of bed and hurting herself. She is strong and fights us. She bites my arm! As dawn creeps in through the crack at the bottom of the shades, we are exhausted from wrestling with the enemy all night; but we are safe, unharmed, and we have peace; we have victory.
7/25/16 Posts
Another difficult night but better than last night- no night terrors/confusion only
anger and frustration. Paula is very tired. We are going to try to walk
with Tebben a bit today. Yesterday Tebb had a wonderful time with her
friends-much laughter. The physical healing is powerful and wonderful to
behold. Tebben needs to regain her strength and energy. We are at a point
where we will be focusing more directly on getting home. An update in the
prophetic spiritual realm to follow.
Three thousand words- down the hall and back-Tebben is bad ass!
I mentioned how blessed we are by Tebb’s prophetic PT, John Angeles.
When Tebben was sedated in ICU last week, John told me that he and his
wife are expecting their first child, Nathan, who has been in his mother’s
womb for 7 months. He said they are praying that he become a missionary.
Today after PT, Tebben prayed for John in Espanol and prayed for the
protection of their son who will be a great missionary. A word of wisdom to
bless John and his wife Catherine. “Follow the way of love and eagerly
desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.” 1 Corinthians 14:1
Photo of Tebb Walking Down the Hall
7/26/16 Post
“So. The hospital has been in touch with Blue Cross/Blue Shield and here is
the Mexican Standoff/Catch 22- Although Tebben would qualify for medical
evacuation at this time due to her physical and mental health conditions
(Post Traumatic Delirium) it is not covered by our policy unless she needs
treatment that can’t be provided by the hospital. Such medical transport
would costs 100s of thousands of dollars I’m sure. The hospital is trying to
work with the insurance company to explore coverage for medical
evacuation but it’s a chess match balancing between the insurance
business and the ethics/honest integrity of the medical providers. Please
pray for God to connect the dots for all the players to result in immediate
medical transport to the States that is fully covered by Blue Cross/Blue
Shield.”
7/27/16
“Oh! And I forgot to mention an awesome visit from Louisa! And let me thank
God for the army of Ollanta Ex-Pats, ministering Angels, who have helped
us in immeasurable ways: Jason Grover, Vivian Smith Baca, Michelle Gatt,
Juan Mayorga, his father, “Lolo,” Rosanna Giorlandino, aka “Rosa,” Isabel
Eskin Shapson, Laura Brokaw and the prayers of all those in the Ollanta
family. We love you forever.
Another tough night for Tebben. Paula and I had to literally sit in bed with
her until 3:30 am to prevent her from tearing off her soft caste and going to
the bathroom continuously every 5 minutes. This is with 1.5 mg of Klonipin,
which is not working. However, she seemed less fearful and angry.
Some of my observations from Peru: all the women are beautiful and less
than .05 percent of the population smokes.
ALSO, TEBBEN’S WOLVERINE HEALING CONTINUES. TOMORROW
SHE GETS THE STITCHES REMOVED FROM HER ARM. WHAT?
THAT’S RIGHT. YOU HEARD ME CORRECTLY. SHE HAS BEEN ABLE
TO PUT PRESSURE ON HER RIGHT WRIST FOR A FEW DAYS. WE’VE
BEEN STRESSING ABOUT IT BUT THE ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON SAID
IT WAS FINE. AND REMEMBER THE BROKEN RIBS? IF ANYONE HAS
SUFFERED THE SAME SAY AMEN IF YOU RECALL THE PAIN FELT
WITH EVERY BREATH. NOT A MENTION OF PAIN FROM TEBBEN. I
BET IF WE TOOK ANOTHER X-RAY WE WOULD FIND NOTHING.
ANOTHER GOOD DAY AFTER A LONG NIGHT’S JOURNEY. ANOTHER
200 FOOT WALK DOWN THE HALLWAY, WALKS AROUND OTHER
PARTS OF THE CLINICA AND A WHEELCHAIR RIDE OUTSIDE INTO
THE COURTYARD TO CELEBRATE THS FIRST TIME WE’VE SEEN THE
SUN SINCE WE’VE BEEN HERE. IT’S 7:00 PM IN LIMA AND WE WILL
BE EXPERIENCING NEW MEDICATION TONIGHT. PLEASE PRAY FOR
US.
ALSO, THANKS TO THE LOVE AND SUPPORT OF FAMILY, PLANS FOR
OUR RETURN TO CT ARE WELL UNDERWAY!
Did I just write the majority of this update in CAPS? As if the words are not
powerful enough on their own. How annoying?”
7/28/16 Post
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.” Exodus 14:14 How do
we receive this? Stop it. Whatever you are doing and/thinking and just
breath-recite the verse again and again in your mind, in your heartmeditate,
make it your mantra. There are many but this verse has been the
lifesaver in the middle of the vast stormy sea.
A quick update on Paula and myself. She has been Tebben’s lifesaver and I
am in awe of the endless depth of her love and courage. My back is like
one twisted spasmodic muscle and I have a full beard for the first time.
God spoke to me on the morning Starbucks run.
(I saw graffiti, “Trust God Even When His Answer is Wait”) on a wall near a
church on the rotary. It was written in English.
We are under heavy attack right now in terms of Tebb’s mental health almost
a perpetual state of anxiety/frustration- and she is also very week
from the night terrors she experienced and the Klonopin we had to give.
We are working with the doctors on finding meds that will work for her
anxiety. Keep praying hard.
Today started out a little rough but ended up being the best day, as Tebben
came fully back to us for a few hours this afternoon. She was engaged in
deep, rational thought and even saw that I was stressed and asked me if I
was OK and if there was anything she could do for me. We also discussed
with her our situation here and how it impacts on us and the rest of the
family with respect to our plans to come home. She expressed compassion
and concern for both Paula and myself and prayed a sweet prayer of
healing and wisdom for us all. She spoke to her brother Jesse today and
was thrilled! She also spoke to her Uncle John and her Cousin Hannah.
Likewise, she couldn’t of been happier. Later, she cried tears of joy when
she found out that her cousin Meredith is getting married, we will all be
there and she is a bride’s maid. Her short term memory is still absent but
her long term is good.”
The story behind this is one of pride and machismo. Klonopin has been a nightmare. It turns Tebben into Reagan in the Exorcist. Paula has researched anti-psychotic meds and found which we want to try. We’re having a consult with Dr. Hinijosa through an interpreter and when he understands that we’re questioning the use of Klonopin he becomes angry. How dare we question his expertise and judgment! Finally, after some very tense uncomfortable minutes, he agrees to bring in a doctor from the psychiatric department for a consult. My mind explodes. It’s been two weeks since Tebb’s accident; she’s been awake since July 17th and they haven’t had her evaluated by a psychiatrist! Blue Cross/Blue Shield has already told me that Tebb would qualify for Medical Repatriation but it is not covered under my basic policy. They also advise that exceptions can be made under extraordinary circumstances when the patient is not receiving adequate care. This missing piece is extraordinary and BC/BS eventually agree. This is another answer to prayer. God has provided a way. The catch is the lead physician also has to agree.
7/29/16 Posts
“Great night of mostly restful sleep for Tebben after an amazing afternoon/
evening the day before and a great morning so far, as we put together the
final pieces for our return trip and I set a lifetime PR with 85 push-ups on
my first set this morning.
So, the plot takes another turn. I just got off the phone with another nurse
from BC/BS, and he advised that although it is not covered under our
policy, Dr. Subeh’s recommendation is air ambulance repatriation with a
medical nurse. This will be discussed further, Doctor to Doctor between
Subeh and Hinijosa this afternoon. This recommendation of course will
have to be approved by the bullshit department but this is a complete 180
from the original medical recommendation. My lawyer, DS, is a bad ass
lawyer!
t’s been a great day for Tebb. We sang a medley of rock songs together,
took over the entire clinic by walking and rocking the wheelchair, laughed
and Paula and me cut through a lot of the bullshit. I’ve been in touch with
Laura Lynne from Gaylord Rehab in Wallingford, CT and BC/BS (bull crap/
bullshit) medical staff. The doctor to doctor conversation is hopefully
happening as write this post and all medical records will be emailed by
tomorrow morning. PRAY WE HAVE ANOTHER GOOD NIGHT.
Catching some rays outside Starbucks in Lima. I don’t see anybody else
sitting around here bare chested. Some other observations from Lima-8:00
am really means 8:30-9:00; there is a layer of dust over everything, but this
problem is more prevalent in the mountain regions, such as Ollanta;
pigeons rule in Lima-they are deadly to other birds.
I know God forgives me for being in the flesh, as reflected in my last post
but to Him be the Glory in all things, regardless of the final decision by the
BC/BS- BS Department. The 180 on the rec from the Medical Department
for Air Ambulance Repatriation was part of a team effort of family, doctors
Darren Volpe and Cortez and my bad ass lawyer, DS. Romans 8:28-look it
up and read it!”
It’s always such a blessing when God answers our prayers in such a timely way. BC/BS is ready to pay for the repatriation. Hinijosa just has to sign off. They do it all the time, or so I’ve been told. I know I have been a bear during this time. I look the part with my beard hanging down about six inches from my chin. All the men in Lima are meticulously groomed. I have fought to gather the records. They must come through the lead physician, which is Hinijosa or his partner. They are difficult to get a hold of. Hinijosa has been angry and prideful. I learn that he has been angry since his young daughter died ten years ago. I pray for his peace. I go back and forth with BC/BS but God is always in control. I’m on the phone with Dr. Subeh when Hinijosa walks onto the floor. I approach him. Our limited abilities in Spanish and English are enough for me to explain the circumstances and I had him my phone. All he has to do is agree with Subeh and off we go. He doesn’t but it doesn’t matter. We surrender.
7/30/16 Posts
“Tebben read all the messages today.
A great night for Tebb. She woke up at 11:30 and 2:30 to use the bathroom
and went back to bed without a whimper.
Hi this is Pete. Just spoke with Ray. Current plan is to fly home on
commercial airline with a medical escort door-to-door (from Lima hospital to
Connecticut hospital). Tebb & Paula will be in business class with medical
escort. Ray will be in coach. Plan is being coordinated by insurance
company & is dependent on medical records being sent from Lima (main
focus right now). Should have more info on actual timeline in the coming
hours. Hopeful for travel on Monday but we’ll see. For Tebben today, ‘OK
this afternoon after a nap. Very emotional this morning. Wants to leave and
obsessing about eating and meals.’ Hopefully in home stretch of this
chapter.
Our repatriation medical escort flight lands at JFK at 22:00 on Monday, 8/1
and we should be home in Shelton after midnight.”
7/31/16 Posts
“A few more observations about Lima. Classic cars are rare-mostly newer
Hondas, Nissans, Kias, Hundais, etc…the same as in the US; people aren’t
sure what side of the sidewalk they want to walk on; family is everything there
is much love here- God is everywhere-God is love- 1 Corinthians
13:8- look it up and read it! Esto Es esto.
Good restful night for Tebb and we all slept in until around 8. Homeward
Bound in motion. Tebb is really focused on her desire to get home, which
makes her sad because it can’t happen sooner. Pray for peace for us all.
Also in motion is the Peru push-up movement. Ordinarily, today is my
Sabbath but based on the number of people I hear from who are now doing
push-ups, which is certainly secondary to those who are praying and
reading their Bibles like never before, God freed me to work out today and I
set a new PR with 95 push-ups on my first set. So, to join in the movement
and receive His strength, join me at 5:00 am today (4:00 am for those on
EST) to crank out 3 sets of maximum reps per set. I will be leaving 100 on
the ground in Lima on my 1st set. Read Philippians 4:13 and 2 Corinthians
12:9.”
I did 100 pushups!
8/1/16 Post
“Tebben, Paula & Ray safely on 2nd flight. Departed San Salvador a few
minutes ago and scheduled to arrive in JFK ~10PM. AV570. –p”
8/2/16 Post
“We’re home.”
I never return to the office and am officially retired from federal law enforcement on August 31, 2016. I am Tebb’s physical therapist and we work together every morning. I am a slave driver and she is a Spartan; a perfect match. At this point she has no memory of the accident which is a blessing and scary at the same time. Her pre-accident memories of Peru are very cloudy but if I show her a photograph she can tell me where it was taken and who is in the photo. The images trigger her memories of the stories that go with the pictures. She still doesn’t know what happened. She knows she was in a bad accident in Peru and lives with her injuries daily. But, she hasn’t asked for details yet and I’m praying for the right moment and words to explain. We’ve been home about two weeks when I receive an epiphany from the Lord on how to explain to Tebb what happened to her: “Hey Teb.” “Yeah.” “You know how people say ‘at least you didn’t get hit by a bus’ to put things in perspective by saying that whatever it is they’re dealing with it’s not the worst thing that could’ve happened.” “Yeah. (her tone is now hesitant and suspicious).” “Well you got hit by a bus.” And that’s how she found out and so it goes.
Ray Lopez, evangelist, writer, ordained minister, ministering to the hardcore, one at a time. 