Last Friday afternoon a large church youth group from Spanaway were visiting the beach off the Cranberry beach approach in Long Beach. Shannon Kissel and his daughter Nicole were boogie boarding nearby when they saw that two boys were in need of help. While they were able to retrieve one boy they were not able to rescue Dale Ostrander, who was caught in a wicked rip tide. It was about 10 minutes until the surf rescue team was on scene. Twenty-plus kids from the youth group sobbed uncontrollably and prayed on the sand during the search, a truly heart wrenching sound if ever there was one. It was then at least another 15 minutes or so before rescue swimmer Eduardo Mendez spotted the boy and he and swimmer Will Green were able to grab him and pull him aboard the jet ski.
Seconds later at the shore, Doug Knutzen carried him up to where paramedics were waiting to treat him. They were on the beach for another 10 minutes trying to revive him. I think it's safe to say that everyone who was there was certain that he was dead.
But the crew continued to work on him, and apparently once they got to the hospital they were able to get a weak pulse and get him breathing. He was Life-Flighted to Portland for treatment. And you know what? After being in an induced coma for a couple days he woke up. And today they removed his breathing tube, and not only did he breath on his own, but he spoke complete sentences. Amazing, truly. This boy was dead for upward of 20 minutes, easily.
From the blog prayersfordale.blogspot.com: At 4:11 pm today "The doctors just removed Dale's breathing tube and he is now breathing on his own. Also, because of possible damage to the brain they were unsure if he would be able to speak. Minutes after the tube was removed, the doctors told him to cough. Not only did Dale talk back to the doctors, he responded in a full sentence saying, 'I don't have to.' Dale continues to get better by the minute and the doctors are more and more amazed!"
Going to these kinds of breaking news situations is always tough, as you never know how they're going to turn out. I was heartbroken for almost a day after this. And to be able to share this kind of news now is just so heart warming to me. Please visit the site listed above and follow as Dale recovers miraculously. Because if ever there were a miracle, this would be it.
-DKM
113 comments:
Thanks for a tear jerking heart warming story! And special cusps to the surf rescue team!!!
We needed this news for so many reasons especially in these times! I will continue to watch Dale's progress! Thank you for an amazing piece. Your photos brought me right there with you. Heartbreaking sadness-then tears of joy!
Heart wenching story and incredible pictures. God sent courageous men to rescue Dale and answered feverent prayers as well...God bless all concerned.
Thank God for saving this young mans life. My Granddaughter Nicole was the 12 year old girl that was in the water with him. She had been visiting her father for the week and they had gone to surf with their boogie board. She was in the water when she heard a cry for help and noticed the boy far out in the surf. She immeadiatly took the board and swam out to help him. she said that once she reached him she placed him on the board and laid on top of him and grasped the boars sides to hold him on as they wer hit by several waves and were pulled further and further out into the breakers by the rip tide. They were hit by a huge wave and were drug down to the bottom where she hit hard and lost hold of the board and the boy. She said that she grasped around her and caught ahold of the boy's arm and pushed off of the bottom to pull him up. When they broke the surface she saw the board was some 20 feet away towards the shore. She told the boy that they had to swim for the board and they both began swimming independently for it. As she reached the board she looked back and he was gone. It was at this time that her father reached her and brought her back to shore where another man took her board and went out to try and find the boy. Our family has been praying since that time for this young man to have survived, regardless of the rumors that he had died. My granddaughter has been greif stricken over the last 3 days because she wanted so badly to have saved him, but was there and watched him being pulled from the water and has felt as though she had failed. We have continually reinforced in her that God had saved his life, and to only believe that was how it happened. This is the first news we have had that he is alive and well, and I write this as I look forward to telling her when she comes back to my home today. I am so grateful for this news.
Wonderful news of the young man's survival! Your pictures do truly tell the story.
Thank you so much for this account and these pictures. Dale is from my home church. I've known his family for years. I now live on the other side of the country and these pictures make me feel much more connected. My home church is an amazing group of Christians. Dale's teen group really knows the power of prayer. I would like to post this on the blog if it's okay.
My name is Kirsten Ostrander and I am Dale's mother. I read Nicole's grandmother's comment and wanted to tell her and everyone that Dale is doing miraculously well. He is improving every day, following commands, tracking with his eyes, and even talking some. Please continue to pray as he keeps fighting strong to recover. We appreciate all your prayers.
Mr. Mulinix, thank you so much for posting this story and sharing your amazing photos! Our church family has circled tightly around the Ostrander family and it is so exciting to watch first hand how awesome God is. This absolutely shines a light on His power. To God be the glory!
Great job on the story, thank you. When God does a miracle he goes all the way! This has been an intense last few days and Dale is such a nice boy from a terrific family and we are all touched and thanking the Lord for performing this miracle after the doctors said he wouldn't most likely make it and if he did he would be a vegetable. Now he is talking and it is just so exciting!
Hi Kirsten,
This is Nicoles grandmother. She is flying out of Portland tomorrow evening and really wants to visit Dale at the hospital before returning to California. If there is any possibility of making arrangements please email at darleneterry@gmail.com We are all continuing to pray for Dale.
Mr Mulinix, thank you so much for this amazing account. After these two men brought Dale up, I ran out to say thank you, thinking I would never see them again. As they turned and looked back at the beach, they just said, "that's amazing." Not only does your story give the account of an amazing rescue, but of our teens, our church and the amazing testimony of our Lord! Thank you so much for putting this story out there for everyone to see and sharing ours as well!
Hi I'm the girl in the story. I was so worried about him ever since then.I also had times when I did not beleve in god. But now I am a full belever.The guy that pulld me out was my dad Shannon Kissel.I hope we meet agen Dale.
From Nicole Kissel.Bye :D
Thank you and I am proud of you Darlene, for trying so hard to bring Dale back to shore without any thought for your own safety. You truly are a hero.
Nicole, this is dale's siter. I want to thank you so very much! You are the one who gave my brother his last breath. Without that, he probably would not have made it. You are the true hero in this story. God has used you, and definately will use you greatly if you let Him.
I am sorry I put the wrong name.
Thank You Jesus for lifting up Dale and blessing us all with his recovery. Amen.
Wow this is amazing, the experience I received in Washington State is atheist or non believers so to hear and know that there are believers is awesome.And im glad to hear that the boy is doing good. AMEN
If you'd like to read more about Dale and find out what he'd like you to know about him check out a blog that has been opened on his behalf. It will also give you the latest updates on his recovery from the family.
http://prayersfordale.blogspot.com/
What an amazing story!
On the "Prayers for Dale" blog, it says something about his dad had recently changed jobs and they were uninsured because of the waiting period for new hires at his new job... I sure hope people read the story and there will be an outpouring of financial help for this family so they won't be comsumed with hospital bills after all that they've just gone through!
Trust me, my friend, there ARE miracles, and this is definitely one of them! God is so very gracious, and I am so thankful, and as heartwarmed as you, for the outcome of this event!
To Nicole
s courageous father, Shannon. I am the mother of the other young man that you pulled from the water that day. If it wasn't for you my son could have been laying in the hospital bed next to Dale. God sent you and your daughter to that area that day to save these boys and we (our church family) will be forever greatful. I hope that someday we will be able to thank you personally, but until then I wanted you to know that your actions in saving my son and your daughters' in saving Dales have not gone unnoticed. Thank-you and God bless you and your family.
My daughter happened upon this story in the news today. Our last name is Mullinnix so the photojournalist's name got our attention. We are also a photography family. I was amazed by the photo of the boy being removed from the water, tears & I choked up as I read the grandfathers account to our children tonight. What a tremendous story and Mr. Mulinix what an opportunity to share a great story of God's hand. The photo of the youth group on their knees praying really gripped my heart. I've shared this on my own facebook for others in our area. Our best to the family, many blessings for speedy recovery, blessings to Nicole & her father and the rescue/paramedic/medical team that used their talents to save a life.
What an incredible story! It is troubling to see those photos, but comforting to know the miracle. Are there any photos of Dale smiling and healthy? It would be great to be able to visualize and send good thoughts for a full recovery!
WOW What an amazing story! Little girl: GOD BLESS YOU! Dale, you will recover because God has big plans for you!
Mr. Shannon Kissel, I am the grandmother of the boy whose life you saved. As my daughter has posted above God placed you right where you were supposed to be that day. My family wants you to know how much we thank God for you and your daughter. Words cannot express how I feel toward you and the gratefulness we have that God put you there that day. I also want to say thank you to the rescue operators, our Pastor, especially our Youth Pastor,for whom we have so much great respect, the men and women that were with our children that day, our teenagers that were not ashamed to show their belief in God's power by prayer, our church and to Dale and his family for showing their belief in what God can and did do. God has shown many times over what he can do if we only believe. I am so glad that I and my family do.
WOW!
Those are some of the most moving photos I have ever seen. The local news in Portland had them on their website, and I wouldnt be suprised if the national affiliates pick up on this story. Im forwarding it on with the hopes that you might tell it on a national level, because it would seem as though there was a little something extra on that day, and it would be an uplifting story to hear. Thanks for sharing this with us
AMAZING photo. Well done. Glad to hear the boy is ok. That makes these photos even more amazing.
Amazing! Words are simply inadequate to describe the magnificence of God. I am in awe of His love for Dale! Blessings to each person who helped in this rescue including the teens who prayed.
the colder the water, the longer one can be revived from drowning. the brain sort of freezes and doesn't deteriorate. the longest i have every heard was 30 minutes. thank goodness he got out alright, our LB waters are indeed inviting, but there are riptides and they WILL pull you out to sea or underwater.
God IS GOOD!PRAYER IS POWERFUL. I'm sure he heard all of those children praying on the beach.I will pray for this child and his family in the hope that he continues to improve. It's so great to read a story that reminds us that GOD loves us and is watching over us.
Amazing photo, surely a Pulitzer candidate. It also bears a striking similarity to Michaelangelo's Peieta. Perhaps God was involved. Good work Damian.
PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD!!! He still performs miracles today! Blessings to the young man for the remainder of his healing. GOD IS SO GOOD! Praise His mighty name!!!
Thank you for both the composure to take the pictures but more so for having the courage to tell the story accurately and completely. I am inspired by how you don't pull any punches in both how critical Dale was but how clearly this was a miracle. The media can often be criticized (often accurately) for having a bias against both people of faith and acts of God - you have defied that stereotype beautifully.
Thank you for sharing the story, and the opportunity to join in prayer.
This story has truely made me a believer. Its such an eye opener to the fact that God truely is real. This is amazing! Im ashamed to admit that at times I have doubted God, but after seeing this it is truely confirmed.
Julie Hicks in Chester, VA
Just read about this story on MSNBC.com. The picture of this child being carried ashore is heart breaking to look at. I felt a catch in my throat, as I have two boys of my own. This story is an uplifting miracle. Thanks to the author who shared the story and the pictures. I will carry thoughts of this young boy in my mind for the rest of today, and will be sending prayers of thanks to the Lord. God bless the rescuers and everyone else involved in saving this child of God.
Wow! Amazing story and photos!!!
Thanks so very much for this. When I read it at MSNBC I could hardly believe it; something positive in the news! Not only positive, but divinely heart-warming!! May God continue to renew Dale and use you for more of this kind of reporting.
Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ. It is so awesome to see the power of the Lord at work right before your eyes. I am so impressed at the teens praying and not running around screaming, they did what they knew they needed to do! Awesome future leaders. Dale, continue to be strong and get well soon. The power of prayer is awesome. May the peace of the Lord be with everyone involved. PEACE!
So nice to read this positive news. The power of the prayer! Thank you for your respectful coverage and amazing report.
I am so lost for words....
I tip my hat and salute ALL INVOLVED!!!!
From a Navy Deep Sea Diver ...just AMAZING!!!!
Young man...live your dreams!!!
As the Bible, says whenever two or more are gathered in My name...God answers prayers! God Bless all of those kids who were NOT afraid to be on their knees praying! And God Bless Dale and his family!!!
What a wonderful heartwarming account and photos of God's miraculous works. May God bless this young man and ALL of those involved in this rescue. Thanks be to God. Across the nation in South Carolina we are rejoicing!!
Dear Conner Family, please know that your friends in Fayetteville, NC have been praying for Dale. What an amazing account of God's miraculous power.
I found this story after it was reposted on MSNBC.com. Truely miraculous! It reminded me of another story I read a year or so ago about a 2 year old who had been submerged in water for over 25 minutes who survivied and is fully recovered. Here's a link to the story. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1310809/Lazarus-toddler-heart-stopped-hour-amazes-medics-making-recovery.html Sometimes God really is looking in the right direction at the right time.
just saw this story on msn.com. Simply amazing. What a wonderful ending. The rescue team is to be commended for not giving up and Dale is to be commended for never giving up, too. What a fighter. It's clear, there are miracles. A wonderful story. Thanks for sharing.
GOD SPECIALIZES IN IMPOSSIBLE!! God has "BIG" plans for Dale! God bless Dale and keep him always.
Mr. Mulinix, you saw the hand of God working to answer prayers and save this child.
GOD SPECIALIZES IN IMPOSSIBLE! GOD has "BIG" plans for Dale. May God Bless Dale and keep him always.
Incredible photo--one of the most moving and telling I have ever seen.
Praise the Lord!! We are constantly bombarded with negative headlines in the daily news. God still sits on the throne and He is still working miracles today!! Now the world can read and see it!!
What a wonderful story. I was especially touched by the photo of the people in prayer. They were covering Dale spritually while physical help arrived. To those prayer warriors, could you please remember a friend of mine who also needs a miracle. She is a believer, a mother of 3 with a rare cancer looking for a miracle. Thank you. God bless you all.
In today's world we hear of only negative stories happening all over the world. Today this story brought me to tears. Not tears of sorrow as they usually do when I read the news but tears of joy. To the young lady that helped save the boy, to the rescuers, to the church group praying on the beach....just amazing!!! God worked his miracles that day and has lifted me today in my faith and in humanity. I am a military wife that sometimes feels lost in all that is happening in our world and with the loss of so many troops. THANK YOU!! GOD BLESS YOU ALL and PRAYERS for that young man as he continues to recover!
Keeping Dale and his family in my thoughts and prayers! Very inspiring!
I'd also like to send a very heart felt thank you to the rescuers! I'm always so thankful for people like you who put your own safety at risk to help others. You are amazing and should be recognized for your courage more!!
I am so glad he is ok. But I would give more thanks to the rescue team and the doctors at the hospital. God did not save him from that the rescue team did otherwise God wouldn't have let that happen. Thanks to All the hoeroic efforts that if not for THEM he would not have been saved. If godd saved him then why did he let it happen in the first place?
God had nothing to do with this rescue. It was the well-trained Rescue Team of locals who saved this boys life. Thank goodness for them. This is an averted tragedy that plagues my hometown of Long Beach WA annually.
Our exciting story that, it shows us how GOD is kind, jus that he will seek answers. It all depends on obeiência and faith. GOD bless you greatly....
Germano Alves
Juazeiro do norte-CE
BRAZILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
A wonderful ending to a heart-wrenching story. First of all to the young girl who tried to save him and to those trained rescue staff who did what they are trained to do and did not give up. It makes it all worth it!
To Dale and your loving family,
I truly understand what you all have been thru. I watched as my mother was put in the same coma, the tube down her throat, and all the monitors, nurses & Dr's coming & going. It is a heart wrenching time, and extreamly difficult to deal with. Mom is with God now, so she is no longer suffering.
I can see the love and support that Dale and his family have around him. You are all truly blessed!
Dale, I hope that as you go thru life, you can use this experience of God's Greatness to give others hope who are in need.
Thank you all for shareing. This has been a beautiful ending to a horrific accident.
God Bless
Great Story...thank you so much for sharing. God Bless Dale. Nicole you are a very brave girl, you should be very proud!
God bless you all, you have our prayers!
God bless you all, you have our prayers!
Praise Jesus Christ, the savior of the world!
To rescuers who never gave up, to children who continued to pray, to medical personnel who did their best, to the young man who clung to life - a miraculous ending to a team approach! Congratulations!
Our youth group will be saying prayers for Dale's complete recovery at youth group tonight.
I am praying for Dale! God bless him! And God bless his rescuers, his family, and Nicole!
I'm praying for Dale. God Bless him, Nicole, and his rescuers.
I am sending prayers from Seattle for a continued recovery for Dale.
Nichole, you did an amazing,wonderful thing! You ARE a Hero! You immediatly went out to him and helped when you heard his call, without thought of your own safety, you did everything in your power and really stayed calm and used your common sense to try to keep him on the board, I am in awe. And even though you became seperated, you STILL saved him, if you hadn't heard his call and didn't have the courage to get to him and help, he would have had that many more minutes in the water and I am sure that what you did saved him as much as the ones who rescued him and worked on him. You deserved recognition, he's alive! And you started that miracle, thank you for your courage and heart to give all you could give!!
I would like to thank all the rescue personnel that responded to the call .. They train all the time to keep up on the latest equipment and techniques as well as keeping fit ... Thanks should go to their employers too for letting them go because most had to leave their jobs when the call came ... We thank our soldiers for keeping us free, we should thank these people for keeping us alive ...
I agree with so many others Nichole, you started the rescue by being possibly the only one who hard his cry for help. You are truly an amazing 12 year old! God has plans for you, too. Dale,my heart and prayers have been with you since I saw the paramedics unloading you and wheeling you into the ER. You are truly a miracle! God bless you, your family, all of the people on the beach that day, and the medical team. My prayers will continue to be with you as you recover. I plan to continue to read the blog and rejoice with you.
WOW Dale!!! You have really been keeping it strong.:) God has been a miricle in your life.
Thank you for this story of God's amazing power :)
So happy to hear that Dale is doing good! So amazing to hear a story like this, very uplifting. Also great to see how determined everyone was to rescue this boy and bring him back. Amazing job by the rescue members, paramedics, and hospital staff. Truly lifesavers!
Incredible story. Amazing pictures deserving of a Pulitzer for Spot News. Best of luck to everyone involved.
Thank you God for these men. They look like superheroes in the photos!
Have posted my comments on rescuers and God's miracles elsewhere. This one is for Damien - hope you and the CHINOOK OBSERVER submit this photo to the Pulitzer committee.. Excellent work
We need this so much right now for so many, many reasons. Thank You for sending angels to us ....
The power of prayer never ceases to amaze. Truly an inspiration for the soul/heart. I cannot express how happy it is to hear that it all turned out well. How tragic it would've been for a young boy to lose his life, for his parents to lose their most precious son.
Thank God for miracles, thank God for sparing his life.
This is an awesome story and I pray for young Master Ostrander to continue to heal and amaze people. This story is possible due to all the people involved. If Mr. Kissel and Nicole hadn't heard the cries for help, this might have been a double tragedy with 2 lives lost. Shannon and Nicole did not think about their safety when they went to help these boys. The people on the beach who made the 911 call, the various agencies who sent rescue personnel, and the doctors and nurses treating Dale are all to be commended. God works in mysterious ways and put all these people in the right place at the right time.
Your pictures are amazing and tell a heart-wrenching story, but this boy's recovery from the precipice of death is even more amazing. Thank you for sharing this with all of us.
And bless the rescue team that responded so heroically. They are absolutely wonderful.
Incredible . .my husband shared this story with me earlier today. Amazing, then later in the day I noticed on FACEBOOK a prayer request from a sweet woman of God about her nephew . . .little did I know that her nephew and this story were indeed the SAME. There are prayers coming from Okeechobee! God does miracles - amen.
When the Good Lord says..."Come Forth"..... he does not mean third...
Dale... so glad you didn't jump the line...
Our Lord has greater plans for you... and I am sure that you being spiritual will realize this far sooner, rather than later...
I for one am expecting to hear great things about you....
Many prayers being offered up for your speedy recovery... we are all waiting...
With the devestation of the London riots, it is so wonderful to see such a positive, heartwarming account of the better side of humanity. I am literally crying reading the story and the corresponding comments. Thank you so much for sharing this inspiring story!
Great work on this story. Your images are excellent! Really amazing. Thank you.
In these times when people say that God no longer does miracles to get our attention...Here is a real one! MIRACLE! God is, was, and will always be in control. He used this young man to demonstrate it. Thank you, Lord for sparing this young man's life.
Mr. Mulinix- You are one of a multitude of heroes in this story. Thank you for sharing this amazing experience that brings healing and hope at a time when so much around us seems hopeless. When my ten year old saw your photo of Eduardo Mendez and Doug Knutzen bringing in Dale Ostrander he reaffirmed his wish to become a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. Heartfelt thanks!
Pictures truley are worth a thousand words. Thank you so much for sharing your photo's with the world. The photo's really help capture how great a miracle this is.It is good to see a positive story in the news.
To Darlene Terry's Granddaughter, Nicole,
You were certainly instrumental in saving his life. Had you not been there, as someone else mentioned in one of the posts, he would have certainly spent more time underwater and therefore probably would not have survived! God works through people, and you allowed him to work through you! You were unselfish by trying to help him. You put your life in danger by trying to save him! You are to be commended and God has already done that! You will have a very special place in heaven one day because of it! God bless you and PEACE!
I agree completely with the commenter above, the powerful image of the boy being carried has all the elements of a Pulitzer Prize winning photo. To me, one of the most striking features is the resemblance of the image to Michelangelo's Pieta, another story of resurrection from the dead.
That said, although I am happy that people find religious meaning in this boy's experience, to me this is more an example of a triumph of modern science and technology. In my mind, calling it a miracle diminishes the skill, training,and dedication of the rescuers, medical personnel, pilots, and everyone who designed, manfactured, and maintained the equipment and infrastructure used to rescue and resuscitate this boy. Even the photo itself exists because of technology. This is a triumph of humanity.
Hi this is Bobbie a Pastor's wife from Naples,FL. Our prayers are with you all and we are believing for a full recovery. I truly believe this is all for God's glory and to ignight, enhance or restore others faith in Him. Dale you have been chosen to be apart of this great miracle. We serve an awesome God. We feel connected to you all all the way down here in Florida. Praying!
Amazing, the account made me stop and give thanks to God for the safety of my own boys. God bless your son and your family. I felt blessed to be able donate via paypal. I know your family, has a long road ahead but all thing are possible through Christ.
The power of seeing these young individuals knelt in prayer for their friend brought tears to my eyes. Blessings to each and every one of you, to Dale, the rescuers, families, the young man who captured this on camera, and all those throughout the world who have been witness to this miracle.
Wonderful! I am a Canadian from the east coast. We have heard of this on our national TV station. I want you to know that I am praying as well for a complete recovery. What a God we serve!
This is an amazing story. God works miracles and He is not done with young man. Good luck and my prayers are with Dale.
This same miracle happened to me back in 1963. I was under water for at least 20 minutes. My brother & sister went for help when they couldn't find me. It took about 20 minutes for my parents to get to the creek where the boat I was in had overturned. After searching & pulling out one of my shoes, and some debris, they finally noticed my hair underwater & rescued me. I was then resuscitated. The last thing I remember was sitting in the boat & next, waking up in a chair in the farm house a good 10 minute walk away. The doctor from the small town a few miles away & he prescribed antibiotics because my lungs had been full of water! Yes...God did answer my family's prayer!
And God continues to hear my prayers & answer them in ways only He can! Bev Kelly
Anytime a tragedy is avoided is a good time for believers to point to proof that their beliefs hold merit. If that is helpful for some, good, but the truth is, rescue efforts have varied results. This time, I am so so glad their victim survived! Not all of us believe that 'God' has a hand in this at all. But please don't think that those of us who don't believe are mean-spirited. We aren't. We celebrate this boy's survival; we might just not attribute it to the same reasons as those who are religious. Either way, blessings to Dale and those who all participated in his survival. <3
Wow, as I read this story and look at the "AMAZING" photos I have tears rolling down my cheeks....tears of joy....tears of wonder as I read how God opened Nicole's eyes and her heart to be used as an instrument in this MIRACLE.....God gives us free will....things happen because this world is a broken place....God has the ability to use Miracles....people, circumstances and training to change the future! Think about it....all these people brought together to save this young mans life, if not for this, Nicole might continue to be a nonbeliever as well as others! The teens in prayer, on their knees beseeching the lord to save their friend....HOW AMAZING....the bible says if you will come to him with the faith of a child.....HE WILL RECEIVE YOU! Uncomplicate your mind, receive the miracle and ask God for one in your life today! Blessed to serve and pray for others!
WOW.....what an incredible story....as I read this tears are rolling down my cheeks....tears of joy, awe, and wonderful relief! What a MIRACLE! God uses all kinds of miracles to get our attention.....the very fact that he used a young girl to save this boys life as well as demonstrate what amazing faith can do is a miracle! Nicole, you not only were a blessing on this day, but you received an incredible blessing of faith.....never stop searching for the Goodness of God! The incredible Faith of the teens on their knees at the throne beseeching their God to save this childs life brings incredible joy to my heart! God used the highly trained rescue teams talents and all the hospital staff, and showed off his awesome power for all involved! We all need to do as the bible says and come to the Lord with the faith of a child.....letting all other things pass and just know that HIS PLAN IS BIGGER AND BETTER THAN ANYTHING WE CAN IMAGINE OR DO ON YOUR OWN! To Nicole and her Father, God Bless You and Your willingness to help someone else! I am struck in awe how much the Lord loves you that he also rescued you that day and now by faith you can have the same future with God that Dale and his family will have! Blessed to serve and pray for you all!
Thank God for amazing lifeguards! And thank God for young people who know how to intercede for a miracle. Not only does God have great things ahead for this boy, but for a whole generation to come. May stories such as this flood our media.
God has plans for this young man!! The hand of God was holding him the whole time. May he always continue to follow God and allow Him to use him.
The Lord does amazing things...Its up to us to acknowledge them. God bless you Dale and get well soon!
My niece, Riley, is in Dale's class at school and Riley and her brothers (Ages 6 & 9) were spending the day with me on Sunday. On the way home from church we called my sister (their mother) and she told Riley that Dale had been under the water too long and was brain dead and that pretty much the only thing that would save him was if God performed a miracle. Riley was very upset and crying (as well as me). When we got home I lead the three of them in a prayer asking God to please perform a miracle and bring Dale back to life. Later that day we heard the news that Dale had woken up and was speaking. I am so glad that my babies (as I call them) got to experience praying for a God to perform a miracle, and seeing Him answer it. Most of my life I didn't really believe that God would answer my prayers. It wasn't until I was in my mid to late 20's that I found that God does and will answer my prayers. I don't want my niece and nephews to grow up feeling the way I did most of my young life. I want their faith in God to be built up as young as possible, which is why I'm so thankful to God for letting my babies experience this. I know the way the Lord works some times and when they're older and going through some hard times in their life where they need to have faith in God, this is something that the Holy Spirit will be able to bring to their remembrance. I'm so sorry Dale and his family have had to go through this and I'm so grateful he's recovering. Romans 8:28 says "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." I know that this has not only helped to build the faith of my niece and nephews, but probably countless others. And I hope Dale's parents and other fellow church members who are at the hospital are using this an opportunity to witness to the doctors, rescuers and others who may not be saved and who got to see a miracle of God performed first hand. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Psalm 36:7 KJV
How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
Damian, That top photo is truly stunning. The story is amazing, but that photo really sent it home home me on a deeply personal level. I've gone back to look at it several times. Just .... can't think of the words. Thank you.
Aren't there unbelievable questions to this complicated story of survival. Was he truly dead when he was brought from the water? How long can our bodies withstand no oxygen, heartbeat, etc. What an amazing story. We can all learn from this. Life is precious. YOUR life is precious. Realize this through moments such as this and the giving hands of those who performed CPR. Those hands are precious. Kiss them for me. Thank you for this blog.
Whether you believe in God or not, I can see that this family and the teens praying on the beach haven't been alone through this experience. They have turned to their faith, not drugs, drinking or other forms of self destruction to deal with this experience. Stay in church, keep your kids in church and youth group. They will have their faith to turn to when they go through difficult situations. It's not if they will go through rough times it's when!
Thank you, Mr. Mulinix, for these beautiful photos. You have made it possible for people all over the world to experience this amazing story. God certainly knew what He was doing when He chose you to document His latest miracle.
A stranger in Arizona is praying for your son and your family.
Last Sunday Dale was brain dead...the next Sunday he was walking down the hall, with help from the physcial therapist, but he was still WALKING! The world would never know the AMAZING MIRACLE the Lord has done for this young man if it were not for you Damian.
Thank you for sharing your photo with us and with the world. It is forever etched in my mind! Seeing as I know Dale, and I know his precious family, this picture will forever be a topic of conversation around the fire! How God made Dale like Lazarus!! : )
We continue to pray for Dale and his family. God is powerful beyond our comprehension, and Dales miricle is the beautiful reminder to the world.
I read Dale's story after it was posted on Facebook by a friend who is an OT, who helped after my own daughter also survived a horrific accident.
Her story is much like Dale's; she was also saved thanks to an amazing rescue team, ER, ICU and rehab professionals, prayer groups, and loving friends and family much like the ones who helped Dale.
My daughter's accident was almost exactly two years ago. She suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), went through an induced coma, two weeks in ICU, six weeks in inpatient rehab and weekly speech, OT & PT since then. She could not walk, talk or eat on her own when she entered rehab.
Well, yesterday she started Kindergarten!
And she's doing just fine. I wanted you to know her story because I'm sure you have many questions about Dale's recovery. Keep praying, keep up the long hours of helping her recover, and lean on your friends and family when you need some rest.
I don't know if Dale suffered a TBI or not, but if so there is a book called "Children and Traumatic Brain Injury" that helped us greatly.
Much love to you all. We are praying for your miracle boy and all those who know and love him.
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