Loss

I have a heavy heart today. Dear friends, and our former youth pastor, lost their son last night. We didn't have the opportunity to know Wes Evans, but I hear that he loved the Lord with his whole being. He is with Jesus! Wes was in a tragic ski accident over a year ago and hit his head on a tree. He was in college. Since the accident his parents have been transporting him in and out of hospitals and care centers, loving on their son, showing Jesus to everyone around them in the process. They have been a complete inspiration to us, as they never forgot to write and encourage us about Dillon, even in the midst of their struggles. I am honored to know the Evans family. Thank you for your continued example, Jon and Jo. If you're reading this, please lift up the Evans family in prayer today.

Here's what was written on their last Caring Bridge update:

Wes is With Jesus

Last night, around 10:40 Wes got to go home to be with the Savior whom he totally loves. The suffering and the pain is over. The countless proddings and pokings are done. No more Hoyer lifts to get in and out of bed. No more wheelchairs. Wes is in heaven with his Savior.

Since the day we started on this journey, we have tried to be honest with you about how Wes is doing and our situation. You have followed us through some crazy ups and downs, and you have prayed for us and supported us in ways we can’t even begin to imagine. Thank you so much.

Yesterday afternoon we made the decision to stop medically treating Wes. He had developed a blood clot at his right lung. This made it very difficult for him to breathe, it made his heart rate go way up, and his temperature had been very much out of control.The treatment would have been to give him a blood thinner, however, he had already had two very serious bloody noses, the second one being almost unstoppable. Since Wes breathed through his nose, this was a huge problem. It was time for us to let him go.

Wes was given medicine to keep him comfortable, so that he would be in no pain. The doctors and nurses couldn’t give us a timeline, but they expected that this would take several days. We went home for dinner, and shortly a nurse called, and by the time we got back to the hospital, Wes was with Jesus. We had no idea how sick he really was.

Jo and I both said to each other that we had noticed a change in Wes’s demeanor recently. He had had enough. He has fought the good fight, he has finished the race, he has kept the faith.

For those of you in the area, we expect to have calling hours on Friday and a Memorial service on Saturday, we will let you know the times as soon as they are set.

We’ve held onto this verse since the beginning, and that is no different today, “ I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13. Thank you so much for continuing to be in this with us.