July 31, 2008

• Do You Have To Go Home?

          On July 6 thirteen years ago our lives were changed forever! Every year July and August seem to be full of memories. This story begins with 16 year old Delton and 3 year old Darren playing basketball. (Oh for the good old days). Today we know where Delton is, but his baby brother is now 16 and is facing some serious struggles at present. Please remember to pray for Darren that he can be victorious.

  

  Delton sighting in the BB gun.

  

  Mothers Day 1993

  February 8, 1995

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  One of our friends wrote this story, which we appreciate very much. This story has been published in four languages.

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  Do You Have to Go Home ?

  by Dianna Overholt

  "Dr.Moffe," Nurse Genifer spoke quietly. "What are the chances of his survival?"

  Exhausted, Dr. Moffe looked down at his patient. For five and a half hours his trauma team had been fighting to save the boy’s life. He had never seen anyone survive who was so critically injured. But something was definitely keeping the teenager alive. What was it? Could it be his fighting spirit?

  Dr.Moffe shook his head incredulously. "I’ll give him a 20% chance to live."

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  "Thou hast ..... laid thine hand upon me. Lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:5, 24b).

  God’s perfect plan for us on this way everlasting is often very different from what we envision. Especially as a young person with dreams for the future, it is hard to grasp the fact that life may be ending instead of beginning.

  But God knows how He wants to use us. He gently prepares us for His plan. And then when it unfolds, the trials, triumph, and blessings that come with it are more far-reaching than we could ever imagine.

  His plan for this young man began on April 22, 1979. A blond-haired boy named Delton Jon was born. Joy shone in the eyes of the parents, Elton and Carolyn Kropf, as God placed Delton in their care. There was laughter and happiness in the Kropfs’ home in the Ozarks as Delton grew. In time God spoke to Delton about Himself and His love, and on February 5, 1990, He wrote Delton’s name in His book of life. A few more years rolled by. With them came baptism, more brothers and sisters to bring the total to six, and then the long awaited sixteenth birthday.

  Sixteen ....full of life. God waited until spring turned into summer and then it was the time.

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  "Yeah! A dunk shot!" Three-year-old Darren cheered. "Do it again!" Delton grinned at his little brother and tossed the basketball once more through the hoop. "Gotta take you in for your bath!" he said, scooping Darren up in his arms. "It’s getting dark."

  "Here you go," he smiled, minutes later as he deposited Darren in Carolyn’s lap. "Mom, where’s Dad?"

  "Probably still in the office," she guessed.

  The office adjoining the house was for the family-owned feed business. Delton had been grinding feed and doing other jobs ever since he could remember. Now with his license he enjoyed helping with the feed deliveries. Perhaps there would be a load he could take the next day.

  Dad read what was on his mind. Looking up from the computer he suggested, "What about making a delivery to the Jim Price farm? You’ve been there a couple of times already."

  "Sure, I can do that," responded Delton. "Good night, then."

  "Good night, Delton."

  God looked upon the sleeping family with tender care. They did not know how drastically their lives were about to change. But God knew. As the sun spread its warmth over the Ozark hills, He also surrounded them with His all knowing love.

  "Another gorgeous day," Carolyn rejoiced as she busied herself in the kitchen. The daily calendar on the windowsill caught her eye. She flipped it to July 6, 1995 and silently read:

  Mine! This miraculous morning!

  Surrendered in trust to my care.

  It came bearing only this warning,

  Fragile, handle with prayer.

  "How true, Lord," she prayed. "Give us as parents wisdom and guidance today as we teach our children to live for You."

  

  Delton was filling his water jug at the sink. "See ya, Mom!" he called cheerfully as he headed out to the waiting truck.

  "Good-bye, Son!" She smiled, and added an extra prayer for Delton. "Keep him safe and in your care, Lord ..... Help him to continue to grow in You. Most of all, please help him to be ready when his life on earth is ended."

  

  Delton followed the narrow road as it wound over the hills. He topped a rise where the road began a long curve to the right. Suddenly, the right front wheel of the truck dropped over the sharp edge of the road. Delton held his breath as he fought to get the top heavy load of corn back in his lane. What a relief to be on the road again, 375 feet later, but wait! The truck veered too close to the other side! He cranked sharply to avoid going off again and then everything happened so fast that there was barely time to respond. The truck went into a long skid. It tilted up as the wheels on one side left the ground. Boom! A rear dual tire exploded. Yards later, the rim bit deeply into the asphalt. With a thunderous crash, the bed slammed into the road as its bolts broke loose. Clouds of dust billowed up as corn poured over the road and ditch. The truck righted itself, over centered, and twisted back around. In one awful moment, the door flew open and Delton was flung out. Bouncing on the pavement, he landed by the side of the road ..... and then the entire weight of the truck rolled over him.

  Dirt. Warm blood. Harsh pavement, and pain. Oh, the pain! Delton moaned, conscious of every sensation tormenting his body. He tasted the grit of corn and dirt in his mouth. Acutely he could feel the pain; searing pain in every part of him.

  "God," he groaned. "Send someone!"

  A hundred thoughts flitted through his mind.

  Is this death? Lord will I die here? Am I ready to meet You?

  He thought of his conversion. Of his baptism.

  A spring day last year ..... I stood in front of the church, I was wearing Dad’s suit and shoes.

  Oh, Dad ..... Dad, are you coming?

  I gave my testimony. What was it? "Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."

  God, You’re still there. You’re my Savior. I’m sorry for the times I’ve failed you. Forgive me ..... And O, Lord, please send someone .....

  The roar of the truck grew fainter as it lurched its way through the field.

  An overwhelming peace enveloped Delton.

  A few minutes later a lady arrived on the scene. She blanched at the gruesome sight. "He’s alive!" and ran for help.

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  "Ring! Ring!" The telephone in the office stopped ringing as Carolyn answered it.

  She thought her heart would stop.

  "No! How is he?" she gasped.

  The caller assured her that Delton was alive, conscious, and talking. "He’s being flown to Springfield by air vac."

  She could not say later how she hung up the phone or told the others. But in minutes Elton, Carolyn, and their oldest daughter JoLynn were on their way to the hospital.

  The emergency room lights flashed glaringly as they arrived. In contrast, Delton lay deathly pale, covered with a sheet. They could not see how serious his injuries were.

  "Remember Jesus loves you, and pray," Carolyn whispered.

  "I know," Delton answered hoarsely through his oxygen mask. "And I am."

  They each kissed his dirt-streaked face and then he was wheeled away to surgery. There was nothing to do but wait out the uncertain hours with prayer. "Lord guide the surgeons. Your will be done."

  The prognosis was grim from the three surgeons on the trauma team. They knew that time was very crucial. The truck had driven over Delton’s midsection, causing massive internal injuries. Severe road burns and lacerations covered his body. He was hemorrhaging badly due to many torn and exposed veins.

  The surgeons did not expect him to live very long. "Nothing less than a miracle will pull him through," one remarked.

  They did not know that Delton was now encircled with a powerful strength ..... the strength of prayer. As members of the Ozark Mennonite Church received the phone call about Delton, they became a vital prayer force. Other churches joined in. Every earthly factor seemed against Delton. But prayers were ascending for him.

  Several agonizing hours elapsed. Dr. Moffe finally appeared in the waiting room.

  "Delton is still with us," he spoke cautiously. "But he’s not doing too well." He explained the extent of the injuries his team had found.

  "At this point Delton is not even retaining fluids. They are seeping through his pores, through every incision and needle prick. He’s been given 25 units of blood so far. All I can say is that Delton is young, strong, and a fighter."

  Two hours later, his wounds sewn up, Delton was placed in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit.

   Around 8:00 p.m. Elton and Carolyn were finally permitted to go in to see him. Even though the nurses tried to prepare them, they were shocked at the change in their son, his head had swollen to the size of a basketball and almost beyond recognition. His body swelled to about 300 pounds, almost doubling his normal weight, due to the fluids they pumped into him to keep his blood pressure up. Six pins held his broken pelvic bones in place. His internal bleeding had been stemmed somewhat, but he was still losing blood faster than it could be pumped into him. Three nurses worked on him constantly. It took one nurse to drain the blood tubes, one to pump fluid into him, and another to write everything down.

  Delton was conscious and could squeeze their hands. He also nodded his head in answer to their questions. " Yes, I’m ready to go."

  Elton and Carolyn wondered if there would ever be any hope among the grim reports the doctors kept bringing.

  "It’s literally a race with death, Mr. and Mrs. Kropf," the doctor told them. "His heart rate is twice the normal. His lungs could collapse. His kidneys could fail."

  "If he comes through this, he’s got a long road ahead. It’s doubtful he’ll ever be able to walk again."

  As day dragged it’s weary feet into the night, family and friends slipped quietly into the hospital. The waiting room was soon filled with their supporters and spilled out into the hallway where they waited ..... waited for any news. Disbelief and grief strained every face. He was a brother, a cousin, a friend in the youth group ..... and he was suffering. Anyone who wanted to see him was permitted.

  Midnight came. Brother Joe, his bishop, who had been with the family all evening went in and prayed with Delton. By now he was slipping into shock and seemed to be in a coma. Each breath became a labored effort as fluid built up on his lungs.

  Code blue! Code blue! An emergency team rushed in to take charge.

  How much longer will Delton hold on? The question unmercifully hammered each person as he hung between life and death.

  Prayer. The only thing to do! God could hear the prayers spoken and feel the prayers unspoken.

  "Let’s pray together," suggested one of the youth in a shaky voice. So they banded together in the vending machine room and one by one offered their heartfelt prayers to God.

  An emergency nurse walked by the vending room. Seeing the prayer circle, she stopped. Is this what makes the difference in their lives? They have something, something more than I have. Hesitantly she touched one of the girls on the arm. "I’ve worked here for quite a few years," she said softly. "Almost anyone in the terrible pain Delton is in would be screaming and thrashing around. But Delton asked me so quietly for a pain shot and I, well, I just broke down and cried. It was just too much," she dabbed her eyes. " I’ve never seen anything like this before."

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  A glimmer of hope came with the early morning hours. Delton’s blood was starting to clot. By 2:00 a.m. the blood tubes were filling more slowly and by 4:00 a.m. he began to show signs of consciousness as prayers continued heavenward in his behalf.

  Daybreak arrived. Delton was still hanging on. He had been given a total of 75 units of blood.

  "Getting ten units of blood is life threatening," Nurse Gennifer told Elton and Carolyn. "A lot of people die. The most units I’ve ever given a patient was 30-some and that person died."

  "A serious side-complication of DIC (which is when the body’s own clotting mechanism doesn’t function) can fully be expected in Delton’s case," the doctor added. "This is when the patient’s body, or more specifically his lungs, reject the blood transfusions. The blood cakes and hardens on the inside of the lungs like concrete, making it impossible to absorb oxygen."

  However not a trace of this ever showed up in Delton.

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  The weekend came. Delton slowly stabilized. Unable to talk because of the respirator, he scrawled notes with pen and paper.

  Family and friends continued to flood the hospital with their support. Many of Delton’s friends would stay overnight.

  One of the friends who stayed was Michael, who also drove truck for Kropf Feed Supply. A few days after the accident he went to investigate the scene. Something metal glinted on the ground and he brushed the dirt off it. His eyes filled with tears as he held a ring of bent and battered keys. Why was it Delton? It could’ve been me.

  "You know, Son," said Elton one morning. "The Lord had a plan for this. It will help us all become better Christians. Maybe it will even help someone become a Christian." Delton nodded in agreement.

  The ordeal was indeed speaking to others. The hospital staff and patients were soon referring to him as their "miracle boy." They knew his progress could only be credited to prayer.

  Six days after the accident, Elton, with a newspaper in hand, came in to Delton’s room. The headline read, "Teen fights for miracle recovery after feed truck accident."

  "Read it, Dad," Delton scribbled on his paper.

  "A 16-year-old Seymour boy continued his fight for a miracle recovery this week after he was thrown from and run over by the feed truck he was driving. Delton Kropf remained in critical condition ... ‘There are so many things that could happen yet, he’s not out of danger,’ his father said ..... But family and friends were grateful the boy was doing as well as he was ..... ‘It’s very definitely a miracle. No one expected him to make it,’ Kropf said. ‘There are thousands and thousands of people praying for him."

  There was silence after Elton finished reading. They were thinking of the uncertainty of what was in store ..... of the "miracle recovery" which had occurred thus far.

  Little details kept popping up to show how wonderfully God had everything in control - like the visit from the ambulance driver.

  "Mr. and Mrs. Kropf?"

  Elton and Carolyn looked up from their chairs in the waiting room.

  "I’m the one who drove the ambulance to the scene of your son’s accident. I was just checking up on him ..... do you think I could go in and see him?"

  Delton’s eyes lit up in recognition when the man introduced himself.

  "You know, boy, I don’t very often check up on my patients. Maybe only one in a hundred who are hurt as badly as you ever pull through. Do you know we were only six minutes away from you when we got the call? We were just returning from another run, so we happened to be close by. If we’d have reached you a few minutes later, I doubt you’d be living. Someone was looking out for you," he added reverently.

  So a week passed. Some days Delton felt suspended like a yo-yo between ups and downs. Other days his progress was uphill. He reached a real milestone when he discovered feeling was returning to his legs and feet. Soon he was off the breathing machine, able to talk again.

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  The second week started with Delton in terrible pain. In addition to the road burns, a large

  hematoma (a clotted area of blood caused by his extensive internal bleeding) developed on his back. The hard bed became an unbearable prison! Before long he was moved onto an air bed with inflatable cushions which helped alleviate the pressure greatly.

  Every four hours brought a breathing treatment to prevent an attack of pneumonia. Dad was an important help to him during each treatment, pressing down on a pillow to keep his incision from hurting so painfully when he coughed.

  In fact, Dad and Mom had become the most important part of each day to him. They were love and home in the midst of a sterile hospital atmosphere. Just knowing they were there gave him strength.

  Nurse Henrietta noticed this. She was conversing with Delton one day when Elton and Carolyn came in for a visit.

  "Is he keeping you straight?" Elton jokingly asked her.

  "Well, seriously, Delton’s been telling me how much he appreciates you," she replied. " I can see why. I’ve been observing how much you both love and care about him."

  The tears in Delton’s eyes said volumes as he kissed his Dad’s hand. It is only natural for most teenage boys to be reserved in showing their emotions, especially when expressing affection. Now it was precious and comforting to him to share expressions of love with his parents.

  The days were becoming more routine as the third week came - an X-ray or two today - a little celebration when the feeding tube was turned up to give Delton more c.c.’s of nourishment - sometimes another unit of blood was given - time to change the dressings - more pain medication - Delton’s weight gradually went down.

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  "These padded chairs are looking more familiar than our furniture at home," Carolyn grimaced one morning as her eyes swept the waiting room. Was it really the beginning of the fourth week now? How quickly they had adjusted to life at the hospital! But if only they could be with Delton more. After the danger of the first weekend had passed their visits were limited to 30 minutes every four hours.

  "I’ve got a surprise for you," a nurse called out cheerily, as she poked her head around the corner. "You two come on over to Delton’s room."

  Carolyn looked anxiously at the empty bed. Where was he?

  Delton could not stop grinning at their surprised faces as he applauded himself from a chair ..... the first time he was sitting up! It felt wonderful to be off his back, but his blood count dropped from the exertion. So after a few days the exercise was discontinued.

  Complications developed in his digestive system later in the fourth week, causing more severe pain. Nevertheless there was some good news coming.

  "Guess what, Delton.. We’re transferring you to third floor today!" came the welcome announcement. "While we’re at it, you’re going to see real sky and breathe fresh air."

  So out through the emergency exit door they wheeled him, Air-bed, I.V. stand and all. Through two parking lots and into the main entrance, their excursion ended in a new room on third floor. Finally the family could be with him to their hearts’ content!

  During the morning hours of each day Isaiah had become a precious part of their family

  worship. "But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all

  are the work of thy hand," Elton read one morning from the sixty-fourth chapter.

  "I still can’t believe this happened to me, though," Delton reflected. "Things like this always happen to other people, but this time it was me."

  The family was awed as they recounted how merciful the Lord had been to them. "We don’t know yet what purpose or plan the Lord has in mind for you, Son," Carolyn said. "Just remember that regardless of what happens, you are the Lord’s. We dedicated you to Him even before you were born."

  Glancing at the windowsill, Delton read the motto of Deuteronomy 33:27 he had propped up: "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." How well he could testify of the strength he found in God’s love and care for him each day! When the pain was extra intense, he would ask Dad or Mom to pray with him, and almost always he could then relax and fall asleep. Brother Joe also came in often and prayed with him. These were very meaningful times to Delton.

  

  Week five passed with one minor surgery.

  Then came week six.

  "Carolyn," said Elton on Tuesday. "Delton’s coloring looks unnaturally yellow. And look, his stomach is hardly accepting anything from the I.V. What do you think is causing this?"

  The nurses tried to be reassuring. "His body has gone through so much. Perhaps he’s having difficulty adjusting to the blood," they suggested. "By now he’s been given almost 120 units."

  Heavily dosed with morphine, Delton thrashed around in his sleep that night and incessantly mumbled.

  Elton did not hesitate to call the church hot line and request special prayer. Things were changing drastically.

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  Dawn was barely breaking on August 16 when Dr.Moffe came in and ordered Delton back to the intensive care unit. Delton steadily worsened. But why? What was happening after six weeks of miraculous recovery? The questions hung unanswered.

  It soon became apparent that Delton needed exploratory surgery. "Put him on dialysis until noon," the doctor decided.

  Elton and Carolyn felt a measure of relief as Delton’s color slowly returned to normal. The dialysis seemed to be helping. He looked alert and was no longer rambling incoherently.

  "You’re going in for surgery soon," Elton said, stroking Delton’s hair. "You’re seriously ill. You know, you may not survive the surgery." The words were hard to say!

  The three of them had a special time of confession and sharing while Delton was still able to talk. They kissed each other and said "Good-bye" before he was put back on the respirator.

  Noon came. Elton was at the nurses’ station signing papers when he saw a note on one of the clipboards.

  "Tell Dad to come," it read in Delton’s scrawled handwriting.

  Choked with emotion, Elton hurried back to the room. Lord, this is so hard! Are we saying final good-byes today? Is all the hope we’ve experienced in the last several weeks going to be shattered?

  "Dad," Delton mouthed, over the soft "whoosh" of the respirator. "I’m ready."

  Elton took his hand. "What is it, Son? You say you are ready if you should die?"

  Delton relaxed and nodded "yes" without a trace of dread. He had communicated to Dad what was most important on his mind ..... he was ready.

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  Carolyn felt a tremor of fear at the look on Dr.Moffe’s face when he returned to the ICU consultation room at 1:30 p.m.

  "I ..... I’m terribly sorry," he began, and swallowed hard. "He can’t live. His intestines have died. Infection and gangrene have set in and there is nothing more we can do. He may last several hours, a day at the most. We will take him back to his room. You can spend as much time with him as you want, although he may not regain consciousness."

  God knew the need of their hearts, and soon Delton regained consciousness.

  The moments of the afternoon were bitter - sweet with pain and preciousness. Over 60 family members and friends besides medical personnel bent over his bed to say "Good-bye." With tears in their eyes, many added, "I want to meet you in heaven." Delton always nodded "Yes."

  What a blessing it was to see no sign of dread on Delton’s face. Only peace. As the group softly sang, "I Need No Mansion Here Below," Delton tried helping in spite of the respirator tubes. About 20 minutes before his passing, Delton raised his hand and waved good-bye to everyone in the room.

  As the evening shadows lengthened and God’s hand began painting a beautiful sunset in the western sky, the end was very near. When Delton indicated he had some discomfort in his head, his Mother bent over him to encourage him again. Her heart was breaking as she thought of the many times she had healed his hurts when he was young. She had been able to rock him then. She could offer him a Band-Aid or a glass of cold water. But this time was different.

  She recited one of their favorite Scriptures again. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me.’ Son, soon you’re going to be free from temptation and sin. Jesus is going to take you where there’s no more pain, no sorrow, no tears or suffering." Delton nodded "yes" as she continued, "And Jesus will give you a crown and a robe of white to wear."

  He nodded "yes" again and suddenly opened his eyes wide, looking beyond their faces. Did he glimpse his Saviour and the gates of heaven opening for him? He pointed up towards his new Home. Soon, very gently and peacefully, he was there.

  It seemed to those left behind that heaven was just within their reach.

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  Many lives were deeply touched by Delton’s passing. Nearly a 1,000 people came to the funeral held four days later.

  Their supportive bishop offered words of comfort, hope, and admonition in his message.

  We are reminded this morning of the words of Job where he says: "Man that is born of a woman is of a few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not." Even in his short time ..... Brother Delton was an example of one who built his life on something more solid than the temporal pleasures so many seek after. He left a testimony of respect and obedience as a son to his parents. What a comfort that can be to them now at this time of parting!

  Delton’s father often told him during these few weeks, "If I could just trade places with you, I would gladly do it." But Delton always shook his head "No." And when he could talk again, he said, "Dad, it’s all right."

  We have a Friend who was able to take our place ..... He did it because He loves us just as a father loves his son.

  There are two ways to live, two ways to die. Jesus spoke of that in John 5:28, 29, "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil; unto the resurrection of damnation." We are not subject to fate ..... but God has made it possible for us to choose our destiny. We who remain are yet given this day of opportunity to live, to serve, to labor for our beloved Master.

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  "Do you have to go home?" Delton had questioned his parents whenever they had to leave the hospital and run the miles back home.

  The question came back hauntingly now. "Do you have to go home? Delton, did you have to go ‘home’?"

  A tablet began to fill with verses of comfort and support they found. II Samuel 22:31-33 became especially precious to them: "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. For who is God, save the Lord? And who is a rock, save our God? God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect."

  Yes, earthly ties had to be broken. But it will be only for a short time.

  Delton is among those waiting with the Lamb to see that you make it Home.

  

  

  • 11:44 pm
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