I want to tell you all about Jonathan and his family. Our neighbors the Oylers first met Jonathan at a hospital where they didn't think he would live much longer. But to the surprise of many people, he did! He went home and is now in a wheelchair but is expected to be on his feet again in the future. Jonathan and his family started taking the missionary discussions and his Aunt especially has been so excited about it. Things progressed and then something terrible happened. Their home and business that was attached to the home caught on fire. The business was a carpenter shop, so had wood and sawdust, tools etc. Somehow the fire started there. They were able to save some things but not much. There is a small empty space a couple of doors down from them that they have been able to stay in for a while. The neat thing is the missionaries pulled up their sleeves and went to work. They had to tear down everything and start again. The Oyler’s children in the States told about the family on Facebook and people started donating money to help rebuild their home. Jonathan's family now has about $7000 which will build the structure of their small home. They are so thankful and are working hard to rebuild. They say they don't know how they will replace their tools for his business but have faith it will happen and they will be able to work again. Angie and Callie, the money your kids weren't able to give out while they were here has been donated to this family.
Jonathan's mother has passed away and they only have one picture of her. It was hanging on the wall in their home. They found it after the fire was out and they were collecting the things they could salvage. The frame had been burned and the edges of the picture were singed, but the main picture of his mom was untouched. Elder Oyler brought it home and worked with it, took it apart, scanned and retouched it, then had several copies of it made and framed for them. They were so excited when they saw what Elder Oyler had done and felt so blessed from above to even still have the picture.
This past Friday seven members of the family were baptized and two couples married. They had to carry Jonathan into the water because he still can’t walk yet. The Olyers told us it was a very neat experience to be with the family for all of this. I am so happy that they could witness the baptisms before they go home this Wednesday. We have heard so many touching stories like this that have happened here.
Jonathan's baptism
His family's baptism day
Jonathan in Hospital approx. a year ago
After he came home from hospital
His family in front of a new wall of their home
Digging a trench in the floor for a drainage line
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