Dr. Hunter suffers from an extreme form of Von Willebrand's Disease-- a life-long life-threatening blood disorder. It prohibits clotting and any fall that causes a cut is potentially fatal. In his case, he could bleed-out in 7 minutes if not treated immediately.
Dr. Hunter fell back in December of last year and struck his head requiring 9 stitches for the gash above his eye. It also caused a concussion which led to a series of complications including dizzyness, imbalance, and concentration difficulties. Though he struggles daily with the residual effects of the concussion, he has remained as faithful as possible to the seminary and the Lord. He even preached a few sermons. However...
A few weeks ago, he fell again.
This time the fall was far more serious. He spent time in ICU recovering from an extensive bleed and was stabilized, but still, on July 30th was in danger of subdural brain bleed for five days.
He cheated death again.
However, the hardest part for him, emotionally, was two days after his bleeding crisis, the only specialist in the world who can deal with his blood disease was killed in a car crash by a drunk and drug-addicted 20-year-old. This is very discouraging. He's had the same doctor for 31 years-- a doctor who knew everything about him and his disease.
Dr. Hunter has been told by his personal physician that he had a severe concussion from that fall in December. As a result, he has some minor neurological damage that should clear up in another 3-6 months, but it could become a very serious situation in terms of further damage.
The uncontrollable bleeding his specialist treated, leaves Dr. Hunter in a very stress-filled situation, especially if he has another fall. So, for the next few months it is vital that he does not over extend himself. He must rest as much as possible, and needs to minimize stressful situations as much as possible. Of course, the passing of his specialist who had cared for him for three decades only adds to this stress.
Anyone who knows Dr. Hunter knows that he has a penchant for overextending himself, and has difficulty resting when there is a job to do. As president of the seminary, there's always a job to do. And since that December concussion, he's miraculously preached sermons and led souls to Christ while endangering his own health.
But this time, the fall he had was so severe and the bleeding so bad that he really must heed doctor's instructions.
When a man loves the Lord and seeks to honor him with every breath, it is most difficult for that man to simply rest and breathe as the best way to honor God. When that man is the President of a seminary with a mission he believes carries the Gospel message so deeply needed in these troubled times, and with students he loves and believes in, the difficulty to sit back is doubly hard.
Would you join me in praying for healing for Dr. Hunter. The dizzyness, concentration and balance is still problematic. But for this blessed man of God, the hardest part is resting and doing what he doesn't do well-- guarding his stress levels when stress keeps knocking at his door.
Lord, protect this one who loves You. Bring him peace about losing this physician who faithfully cared for him all these years. Let him know the comfort of Your grace and give him rest, pure rest in You that his burdens may be light with You carrying the weight upon your shoulders. Give him clarity when he needs to make decisions for Trinity and the students. Give him wisdom with situations requiring his discernment. Pour out your goodness, mercy and strength. And bless all those around him, especially his dear wife, Marilyn. Amen.
[Dr. Hunter is President of Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana] Check out one of Dr. Hunter's sermon's below: "Poignant Words from Dr. Harold Hunter".
