“I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today. I know that He is living, whatever men may say. I see His band of mercy. I hear His voice of cheer. And just the time I need Him, He’s always near! He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me and He talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart. You ask me how I know He lives. He lives within my heart!”

On March 20, I went up our stairs as usual only to find before I reached the top, I was totally exhausted and out of breath – unusual! I dropped into my recliner for about 15 minutes, felt revived and continued a long day. I had a committee meeting in Edna, a class to teach in Port Lavaca, and many other stops along the way. I felt everything was going along about as normal, except I was tired. When a nice State Trooper stopped me on Highway 185 for going too fast, she asked me if I was going right home. I replied that I had two stops to make in Seadrift and then I was headed in for the evening. She told me to get home safely because, “Sir, you appear to be very tired.”

On the morning of March 21, I was going to Port Lavaca to do some counseling. When I got to my pickup, I noticed the trash was not to my liking. I began moving it around to make it easier for the trash men to collect that morning. Again, I felt this extreme exhaustion and felt I needed to get into the Chapel to sit down and rest a few minutes. According to Dennis, our next door neighbor, it appeared I was trying to pick up a trash can lid from the ground when I lost my balance. In an attempt to keep from falling, I ran bent over at the waist and ran into the brick wall with my head leading the way. (There is still hair in the brick from the impact.)

Dennis ran to my side and called 911 because he saw I bleeding from my head. I tried to get up, but he would not allow it. When the local ambulance arrived, I was checked over, for which I am very grateful. It was that crew (especially Nathan) who noted that my oxygen level was extremely low. I thanked them for coming, but asked Pastor James to take me to the Victoria VA Clinic.

When I arrived at the Clinic, they tried to clean up the blood the best they could and insisted that I go to DeTar Hospital because of the additional diagnostic tools they had there. When I had X-rays done, the verdict was “C-1 is cracked, and C-2 is broken. We must send you to a trauma unit. Do you want to go to Houston or San Antonio?” I truly wanted a third option – just go home and everything will be okay, but I chose Houston, but there were no beds there. I had to ride the ambulance to San Antonio’s BAMC.

Pastor Joane’s brother, John, had been sick and hospitalized and their sister, Linda had come from the Woodlands to be of assistance. Joane left for the Woodlands to take her sister home shortly after I got out of my recliner on Monday. She made the trip to Woodlands to Victoria just shy of three hours. (But, I am sure she did not speed) and raced to my bedside on Tuesday. When she arrived, I told her, “I have broken my fool neck!”

It was a long, rough ride to Brook Army Medical Center facing backwards. To pass the time, I talked with a very attentive EMT, who is about to take her test to become a “flight nurse”. I even tried to get them to go by Smiley so I could check on a job I have going there, but they went another pathway. When we arrived at the Center, ten staff met us at the open door. Each one was asking the same questions, but later I realized they were making sure no one missed anything.

I went through several tests in the Emergency Room before being rolled to Room #2 of the Trauma Intensive Care Unit. On Wednesday, I spent about six hours in different tests – I am sure when the billing begins coming, I will realize what each one was. I was told that Wednesday night would not be a sleep night, for more tests were scheduled. Later I learned that the information they were seeking had already been gained – so I got to sleep in two hour shifts, when I would be awakened “just to make sure you are still alive”! (They knew how to joke, just as I.)

Thursday, I had only two tests. One was to check the blood clot on my lungs (which we found out was why I was losing oxygen and fell in the first place) and the other was called, “the walk of life”. I was hooked up to all kinds of instruments with a Physical Therapist on one side and a nurse on the other and one nurse walking behind me. The goal was to see if I could go home without oxygen assistance. I passed!

The releasing physician told me, “Reverend, breaking your neck has probably saved your life.” I asked how and he told me that had I not broken my neck and found myself in their Trauma Unit, I would have thought I was free and clear. He explained that since I regained my strength on Monday and probably have on Tuesday, had I not fallen, I would have continued and whatever caused the blood clot would have formed another that probably would have caused a major heart attack or a major stroke. I heard and understood what the Doctor was saying, “I am a truly blessed man!”

I did not like the large collar, but wore it faithfully. On Tuesday, April 4, I want back to BAMC for a follow up with the Trauma Team. They told me the blood clot would naturally dissolve over the next few months – “take it easy and do not fall again!” Then they sent me for more X-rays.

On Wednesday, April 5, I met with the Trauma Team’s Orthopedic specialist, The doctor asked if I had seen my broken neck and since I had not, he drew us a picture (which I had him sign, date, and number – it could be valuable some day!). He told us to take this very seriously because this kind of break was very hard to heal. The head of the department would be coming in to see us in about 10 minutes to discuss one of three options: 1. Wear this collar for an extended length of time, but this was not a good option because it allowed my neck too much movement. 2. The Halo – did we know anything about it, not first hand and I truly do not want to know that much about it; and 3. Surgery, which is not a great option for me.

When he left, Joane and I had some small talk but agreed that we did not like any of those options! Then the same doctor reentered and asked if he could examine my neck. He said he had not initially read the latest CT Scan that was done before he spoke with us earlier. I stood and he removed my collar and found the exact spots of my neck pain. Afterwards he said, “I do not know how to tell you this, but this is the fastest healing bone in history. Your neck is not broken – you are free to go!”

Well, Pastor Joane was crying, I was crying, and the doctor did not know just what to do, but stand there and receive our hugs! We are sure he had to change his smock because he left the room wearing Pastor Joane’s make-up!

I write this for one purpose – He Lives! I am not healed because of who I am or what I have done! The Lord in His sovereignty chose to heal these neck bones for reasons only He knows. But, I believe He knew I would share with you this experience to try to help us understand He is alive and active in our lives today! “You ask me how I know He lives. He lives within my heart!”

Service Club Garage Sale -photo by Bridgid Berger

The POC Community Service Club is so proud to have successfully completed another community garage sale. The work involved in such an undertaking is immense. We pick up donations from generous citizens far and wide and store them in the boat barn where we sort, fold and organize them on scheduled work days throughout the year. Thanks to Susie Onishi for her coordination of the storage and countless other club members for hours spent sorting and organizing.

Then, three days before the sale we put up tables and racks and shelves and prepare the community center pavilion for the sale. Thanks to Marie Hawes, 4H members and several others who served as the set-up crew. Two full days before the sale, it is all hands on deck with trucks, trailers, flatbeds and SUV’s and any muscle willing and able to lift, load, unload, unpack, display, stage, price and prepare literally hundreds of boxes, bags, crates, totes and sacks of treasures and gems for the twice-a-year garage sale. Clothes, shoes, books, music, frames, décor, tools, electronics, sports equipment, linens, kitchenware, holiday supplies, mystery marvels and unnamed curiosities are all found in the treasure trove of garage sale donations that find their way to the tables and racks for sale. Thank you Coast Guard Helpers, Club Members, husbands, sons, daughters, family and friends who gave time, muscles and encouragement to our effort, not to mention the husbands and families who went without dinner cooked on time or homework help for the night as volunteers were busy at the pavilion. After hours of work over two full days, Service Club members do not go home and put their feet up! They go home and bake…cakes, pies, cookies, brownies, breads and bars to sell at the Saturday sale.

After a short night, they are back at the pavilion to greet, serve, assist and check out the shoppers and browsers that come to our sale. Thank you Annie DuBois, Brandy Herman, 4H members, club members, family friends and Project Hope guys for your able assistance. At Noon, the same crew produces the bags and the energy to offer the $1 bargain bag sale. As shoppers pick out their treasures and finds, club members and volunteers load cars and trucks, lift furniture and fixtures, and work to make the sale successful. After the 2PM end of sale, those same tired, dirty club members take every leftover shoe, unbought book and remaining treasure and pack them up for donation to charity. Project Hope, a recovery and treatment program who operates a resale store to benefit clients in need take those boxes and put them to use in helping men in women they serve. Thank you Jason and guys from Project Hope for all you do both at the sale and throughout the year. Now those same shelves and tables, racks and totes must go back to the storage to be refilled for the next sale just 6 short months away, trash must be hauled away, floors swept, bathrooms cleaned, the kitchen put right before those tired volunteers can quit. Club members, their husbands and families, those same 4H kids and those generous Coast Guardsmen and women, (especially Glen who came back on his own time to lend a hand) utilize their own personal vehicles to haul and handle the tasks and put the pavilion back to rights, ready for the next event in our community.

Thanks to Robbie and Bob, Thomas and Riley, club members and others who packed and boxed, bundled and hauled, tugged and lugged until it was done. We could never do it without the help of these people. Thanks also to those who shopped and bought and even came back for the Bargain Bag sale. Without you our efforts would be wasted. I could not possibly list each person who worked, but you know who you are and I want to thank you for your service!

So, what do we do with the money made from all this effort you may ask. It is the fuel for the service in POC Service Club. New signs for the Fire Department? Paid. Scholarships for local students? Paid. Pet Potty stations? Volleyball Court? Senior Christmas Lunch? Paid! Paid! Paid! The good done for our community is priceless and makes it all worth the work. The next Garage Sale is in October, so start your spring-cleaning and give us a call. We will take the donation and put it to good use.

And, if you would like to share the fun, consider joining the POC Community Service Club? New members are always welcome. We meet the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at the Community Center at 10:00 AM. We have a couple of items left from the garage sale that remain unidentified assets. Maybe you have the expertise to solve the mystery of the metal doodad we still have no idea about, and we promise to find a spot for you on the team of great people that we get to work with regularly.

So, until next time, be safe, live simply, love openly, forgive generously and remember this quote by the great inventor Thomas Alva Edison who said “Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Come work with us. We can find some overalls your size at the very next garage sale I’m sure.

Just wish I could adequately tell of the Lord’s blessings to us here at the Chapel and especially His blessings to me! But, Scripture is correct when it says, “Eyes have not seen; Ears have not heard, It has not even entered into the heart of man what God has in store for those who love Him!”

We have had a number of special events this past month. Part of the reason was because of my injury (read about it in my article on page 6) and the great loving support we had from everyone.

Southern Gospel singer Randle Clay blessed us on March 22. On Sunday, March 26, the Reverend James McNatt ministered his “farewell message” to the church. That evening, under the direction of Pastor Jesse and Sister Angie, our church was transformed to a Mexican theme. Our children sang and quoted a Bible verse in Spanish, and we had many different food booths set up so the congregation could sample a great variety of Mexican food dishes. There was the “fruit water” in several flavors and decorations everywhere. The highlight of the evening was our Missionary speaker, the Reverend Ernie and Sandra Peacock, who have served for over 30 years in Mexico. It was truly an evening to remember and hopefully soon repeated! Pastor Joane ministered in the Wednesday, March 29 service concerning the Armor of God.

We hosted the men from the First Methodist Church of Edna for a retreat on March 31 and April 1. They had a great time and are planning a return visit to Port O’Connor. Pastor Adam Knapp led his men in an in-depth Bible study.

On April 2, Pastor Jesse ministered at the Chapel, as Pastor Joane and I were in Cuero. We had the honor of installing Pastor James McNatt as the Campus Pastor for the Cuero church. What a delight to see one of who we have been mentoring for over a year step into his right role as Pastor for a congregation. Our prayers go with him and we are looking forward to reports of victory from that area.

Again, we called on Pastor Joane to fill the pulpit on Sunday evening, April 2, and on Wednesday, April 5. We hosted the men from Project Hope at our Retreat Center on April 7 and 8. They were here to help the Service Club with their Garage Sale. In fact, all that was not sold was transported to Houston to help their ministry. Thank you, Service Club, and thank you Project Hope! It is this partnering of different service ministries that advance God’s Kingdom!

I got back in the pulpit on April 9, and it was great to be preaching again. Even when a minister is not physically able to preach, it does not kill his desire! I have no idea how many new ideas I have recently received that I am looking forward to preaching!

As I write this, I am looking forward to our Community Sunrise Service on Easter Sunday. We so love this wonderful gathering and the delicious cinnamon rolls provided by Cathy Osborn and her crew. At the Chapel, we will be enjoying the ministry of Missionaries Adam and Becky Fithen at the 11:00 a.m. service.

We are planning our Sectional Revival at Port Lavaca. The evenings of May 4 and 5, Thursday and Friday at 7:00 p.m., we will be meeting together with about 20 other congregations at New Beginnings for special services. Evangelist Joe Crook will be the special guest and the Emcee will be District Evangelist Representative, the Reverend Rod Vincent. Special music will be provided by the Praise Team of New Beginnings and other local talent. Everyone is invited to attend these special services and experience a special move of God.

The LAST SCHEDULED CLASS for the Sea Academy here in Port O’Connor begins May 12 and goes through May 18. Anyone wanting to earn their Captain License must contact Captain Robert at 361/816-3010 or the Sea Academy at 361/758-6184 immediately to become a student is this historic class. We have had the honor of hosting these classes since 1999 and have seen many people helped by receiving their Captain Licenses. Many now have a career as a Boat Captain as a result of these classes. But, they are ending – do not miss your opportunity!

The Warriors are coming again to Port O’Connor on the weekend of May 20. That Saturday morning, as usual, we have been asked to provide 2,400 breakfast tacos with all the trimmings. We can not accomplish this task alone and you have always been here to help us. We need everything from the eggs, sausage, tortillas, milk, juice, coffee, and the paper and plastic ware that go with it! Thank you for helping us meet this great need for our soldiers who are giving their lives to defend our freedoms. I know there are many other needs for this great event, but this is our small piece and you make it possible. Thank you!

Fisherman’s Chapel is an interdenominational congregation whose mission is to help people safely navigate their way from earth to Heaven. We continue ministering to the needy with our food pantry and other helps. You will always find a warm welcome at the Chapel and are urged to, “Come, grow with us”!

Seadrift – Bertice LaVerne Brister Wiggins, 89, went to be with her Heavenly Father on April 5, 2017. She was born June 7, 1927 in Foster, Oklahoma to William Mack and Mattie Frances Hodge. She graduated high school in Wynnewood, Oklahoma in 1945 and on August 27, 1946 Bertice married the love of her life, William Thomas Wiggins and they shared 31 wonderful years together before his passing in November 1977.

She was a home health nursing home aide before moving to Seadrift in June 1976. Continuing her desire to work, she cleaned homes for various people in Seadrift before being hired for CCISD in the maintenance department at the Seadrift Schools in 1978 and working there for 16 years.

To the marriage of William and Bertice they were blessed with ten children; six girls and four boys; Vickie D, Gwynne A., Taresia L., Erline Y., Chad E., Edwin G. (deceased), Tawana F., Andrea M., Thomas M., Stacey N.; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-four great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, a son Edwin G. and three grandchildren.

Bertice served her faith, as well as her community being a Jr. Vice, Sen. Vice and commander for 14 years in the DAV Auxiliary, By Faith a Baptist, she taught Sunday Bible Classes, Discipleship Class and was a very faithful worker in her church where she was an advisor, companion, helpful and loving to her children. She will be missed and remembered for her gift of caring and how she was a help to her friends and family.

On April 7, 2017 a funeral service was held at First Baptist Church in Seadrift with Rev. Jason Delgado officiating. Graveside service was held April 8, 2017 at Grandview Cemetery in Grandview, TX.

Pallbearers were be Michael Shane Burguss, David Brian Braddock, Johnathan Wiggins, Joshua Wiggins, Jorden Wiggins and Brent Coggin.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.richardsoncolonialfuneralhome.com