Springtime Church Special
Max McDaniel’s Legacy
Lives On at First Baptist
By Pastor Reggie Bridges & Matt Brown
First Baptist Church of Zachary
God often shows Himself through the actions of His people, offering hope and joy even in the midst of seemingly hopeless and painful circumstances.
Such was the case as the members of First Baptist Church of Zachary witnessed a life-changing event one week in March 1982. This event took only a split-second in time but the unfolding consequences have given people in Zachary the opportunity to experience the genuine hope that only comes from God.
Max McDaniel was one of several men who responded to a call for volunteers to construct a Baptist mission church in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. On the last day of the short-term mission trip Max walked to the edge of the roof to take some measurements when the roof under his feet gave way, sending him 16 feet down to the floor below.
Altered circumstances
This unpredictable, split-second fall triggered a sequence of events that eyewitnesses have undoubtedly called miracles. Immediately the men there hastily put together a litter from some boards and canvas and placed him in the back of the only transportation available, the bed of an old dump truck.
While en route down the pothole-filled rocky road, they
decided to travel the greater distance to a small private hospital rather than
the closer government charity hospital. Upon arrival at the small hospital
they discovered that the 27-room facility was equipped with a fully functioning
operating room. For some unknown reason, an X-ray technician and an
anesthesiologist just happened to be at the hospital that day. Most
importantly, a neurosurgeon was visiting a friend at the clinic at that very
moment. Within minutes an orthopedic surgeon was contacted to assist in
the emergency surgery.
The miracles had just begun. Word of the accident
spread in Zachary causing many to pray around the clock and some to spring into
action, making it possible to get Wilma, Max’s wife, and his son, Howard, to
Honduras as quickly as possible. God altered circumstances, providing them
with emergency passports and safe travel to New Orleans just in time to catch
the only flight out that day. Two days after the tragic accident the
family received word from the doctor that one vertebra in his back was totally
destroyed, two others were damaged beyond repair, and the spinal cord had been
severed.
Deteriorating condition
After spending a week in the hospital, it was clear that Max’s condition was deteriorating and no more could be done there. The local missionaries worked tirelessly to secure a flight out of San Pedro Sula, but with only one flight out that day, it seemed impossible. Howard was able to contact the American Embassy in the capital city of Honduras, and a flight was secured for them the next morning.
As they prepared to transport Max by plane back to the United States, they encountered another problem. An old army canvas litter was the only bed available to transport him, but it was not sufficient to hold the weight that had been added by the plaster body cast.
The family notified John Womack, mayor of Zachary, of the
situation. He borrowed an ambulance gurney and rushed it to the New Orleans
airport along with some other supplies the family needed. The airport
officials informed him that the supplies could not be shipped as freight on the
plane. A lady traveling to Honduras volunteered to take them aboard as her luggage. When
she arrived in Honduras the local missionaries met her and retrieved the
gurney.
Light of hope
As they sedated Max and prepared to leave San Pedro Sula,
they found the plane full of doctors and nurses from the American Christian
Medical Society on their way back home after performing volunteer work in the
rural areas of Honduras. Again, the family recognized God at work shining
His light of hope into the darkness of terrible tragedy.
Max began his difficult recovery process surrounded with
family and friends who loved him and prayed for him. Though he would be
confined to a wheelchair and never be able to walk again, Max displayed an
amazing faith in God, giving hope and encouragement to all. His love for
the Lord and his church never faded but only grew stronger.
On Sept. 23, 2006, Max died and went to be with the Lord he
loved and trusted so much. Max’s legacy lives on at First Baptist Church
of Zachary. As many often relive these past events, they are encouraged in their
own struggles to see the light of hope that shone so bright in Max
McDaniel.