Mike Maartense

There is a family who needs your prayers. I know I come to you often for prayer....  It is a beautiful thing to part of the family of Christ.

The other day a man from the Heritage Reformed Church, here in GR, hit a tow truck on the highway and has major head injuries.

His name  is Mike Maartennse (41 yrs) and his wife's name is Pam. They have 4 kids: Caleb, Grace, Micah and Abigail. I am thinking the oldest is 11.

Thursday:

Dear Friends, I'm just back from a visit with Pam Maartense & her family. She asked me to update everyone on Mike's condition. He multiple and extensive skull fractures and bleeding in the brain. Though he did come through brain surgery the surgeon said that Mike is not doing well, and that there is no way to predict if and how he will come out. On a scale of 1-5 he said Mike is a 4, one above being brain dead. Please continue to pray for Mike and Pam and the entire family. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 124:8).

• Friday:

  The latest update from Pam,
  I'm home for some rest and time with the kids. The neurosurgeon stated that in cases like Michael's 1/3 make a reasonable recovery, 1/3 make a poor recovery and 1/3 make no recovery. Continue to pray that Michael is in the 1/3 reasonable recovery group and that he may be in God's amazing complete recovery group. It will be a long road. The brain swelling has decreased from yesterday. Thank you so much for the multitude of prayers. I'm picturing a mighty wave of incense rising to heaven from all over. So humbling to me and glorifying to our Savior. We do request only immediate family visit Michael so that he is able to rest.
• Friday
• 11:54pm
  

  
  

  Another heartwrenching update from Pam,
  My 7 year old just asked me if it might be a year before Dad comes home. My almost 12 year old told me, "It will never be the same." I told him that several years ago Daddy and I brought home a Caleb from the hospital, looked at each other and said, "It will never be the same." And it hasn't been. But it's been so good. Reminding ourselves that just because things will never be the same does not mean that things won't be good. We know that as our circumstances change our God does not change and He works for the good of His people and for His glory

  
  

  
  

  Dr Beeke asked for prayer at the G3 conference last night. He said the next 48 hours are critical for Mike. 
  

  
  

  For those of you in this area, his wife teaches at Josh's school (Zion Christian) and people are donating money to give Pam a Visa gift card to help take care of her extra expenses. They are also starting a meal list. If you are interested at all in helping this family in these ways, just let me know 

  
  

  Pam started a care page to keep everyone updated. Here is the link to Mike's care page. If you want to go to it, you may have to create an account that takes 2 minutes. If for some reason you can't get on, go to carepages.com and spell out his name with no spaces.... MichaelMaartense and that will get you there too.

  
  

  Thank you for praying