Here is an amazing story about one of our Host Team members……
My name is Lance Van Putten.
Here is a brief summary of my past few years of living. Prior to June of 2004 which is where I start this, I was living in Nashville, Tennessee for 9 years working as a mortage broker and semi-star amateur athlete. I lived a pretty dangerous, many say, reckless life. I played Australian Rules Football or “Footy” for the Nashville Kangaroos. My first full season I was nominated to play for and represent our country on our National Team, the Revolution. Playing full tackle, no pad football at age 35 did get to me sometimes. My bounce-back ability was shrinking, but being a pivotal player kept me going. Being able to play Footy in Australia and Canada representing the United States was a highlight in my athletic life.
June of ’04, having a Gran Mal seizure out of nowhere, the first in my life, was so fast and violent it snapped both my shoulders and led to the discovery of an inoperable brain tumor. Tackle football was over for me. Moving back home to Atlanta, recovering and learning who I was again, I found God! He has changed my life.
Even with Him living in me now and taking the reins in my life, I decided to do something very stupid. Missing athletics and competition so very much, I decided to go Motorcross motorcycle riding on a large track in Newnan, Ga. Not having ridden a dirt motorcycle since I was 13 and my shoulders not enjoying the bumps and jumps, on my last lap I decided to take a double-jump, attempting to jump a table top and then a regular jump at once like everyone else.
Well, I came up short, landing on the face of the second jump, the bike hitting the jump first and slamming back into me as I was coming down in mid-air. A shattered pelvis, a fractured hip bone, 7 broken ribs and a punctured lung later, I was air lifted to the hospital. After putting me back together for 16 hours with 5 plates and 32 screws, which still reside in me, I spent 3 1/2 weeks in the hospital, then moved me to a hospital bed at my Sister’s house for 2 months of healing.
After five weeks on a walker, I was learning to walk again. I was told I would’nt put any weight on my hip for a year, but I believe and know that with all the love, support and prayers from everyone I was Super healed!! Just 6 months after the accident I can walk without a limp (most of the time). I hope there is a way I find to thank everyone who prayed for my life and healing and brought food, cards and themselves to me. After such a possibility of death or being paralyzed for life. I now walk and can even dance a bit of a jig. I thank EVERYONE who thought about me and brought God closer to me. I owe my life to God above. Thank You.
Lance Van Putten
