Over 29,000 soldiers have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Wow, that’s quite an unnerving figure, isn’t it?
Hi, this is Joni Eareckson Tada and I know that you join me in praying for these brave men and women of the Armed Forces; people who have returned from overseas bearing horrible wounds from their battle in the war against terror. And let me tell you about one of those brave warriors…
Captain Ryan Voltin is a tall, powerful-looking Marine Corps attack helicopter pilot. The best of the best he is. He comes across just as you’d guess -- full of quiet courage and the desire to protect and defend. One look at him and you know he has paid a dear price to serve our country. Let me tell you how this marine became injured. After being deployed to Jordan, Captain Voltin was badly wounded during a training exercise. He suffered severe burns to his arms, head, and face. His left leg was also amputated due to the incident. Medically evacuated to Brook Army Medical Center, Captain Voltin was hospitalized for two years. He has undergone over 20 surgeries, with many more procedures yet to come.
Captain Ryan and his wife, Pam, are living a devastating reality. Their lives revolve around countless treatments, therapies, and surgeries. Progress comes in small victories that take months to achieve. Their family has endured challenges that would break the best of us... but God provided a respite for them through our Wounded Warrior Getaways – these are special Family Retreats that our ministry holds for American servicemen and women who’ve suffered devastating injuries as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
And I tell you, Captain Ryan Voltin and his family drank it all in. In fact, this is what Captain Ryan said, “The biggest need for any soldier who is returning home with a serious injury is his family. Joni and Friends’ Warrior Getaway has addressed the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of our family like nothing else we could have experienced. Here, we are able to open up and talk about difficult things for the first time, coming to terms with injuries and emotions. It’s a great release.” Well there you go… one of America’s bravest and finest, Captain Ryan faces his future with the same courage that characterized his military service. And I love that Pam looks at her husband with all his injuries and says with tears in her eyes, “We are in it to win it.”
This man has inspired me greatly and I want you to see why for yourself. You’ve just got to see some of these brave American service men and women share their stories on a brief video I’ve posted on my radio page this week. If it doesn’t make you cry – no, I take that back – if it doesn’t make you proud to live in a country where men and women like Captain Ryan sacrifice so much to defend our freedoms, well, I would be very surprised. I'm convinced you’ll be deeply moved and greatly blessed when you meet some of our nation’s wounded warriors on this special video.
So would you please pray for this couple – Ryan and Pam Voltin. Pray that they really do win the victory through the grace of our Lord Jesus as they learn to lean daily on Him and His Word. Join me in lifting up before the Lord the many service men and women who are still fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. And please pray for the wounded warriors whom you will meet in the video I’ve posted. It’s all at joniandfriends.org so please come by and visit me when you’ve got a minute. You, too, will be saying with Captain Ryan, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Again, that address is joniandfriends.org. And be praying for our next Wounded Warrior Getaway coming up really soon.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91376
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