Robbie’s Accident – God’s Faithfulness

On Sunday, February 5, we received an urgent prayer request to pray for Robbie Norton, who was in a motorbike accident and had been taken to the hospital. Over the past few days, we have seen many answers to the prayers of many people on Robbie’s behalf.

Robbie’s wife, Kasey, shared the following update on her Walking Redeemed Facebook page:

God is faithful. Here are just a few ways He revealed himself these past few days:

1. Robbie should be far more injured than he is. He sustained injuries to his head that knocked him out cold immediately, and he remained unconscious from the time of collision until he was en route to the hospital sometime later. None of us yet know how long that was, but we know it generally takes a while for an ambulance to arrive in our area. He’s bruised and battered on his head and face, including stitches in two places, but he had no sign of skull or brain injury.

2. His eyes wouldn’t track when I arrived at the hospital. His chest was heaving, and he had no initial awareness of what had happened. Before I even left the house to make the drive to the hospital, I sent a message to a prayer group asking for prayer on his behalf. At that time, I didn’t know if he was dead or alive. I found him alive and conscious when I made it to the hospital, but his visible condition quickly went from one where I wondered if he’d make it to being more concerned about the pain he was in. That’s how rapidly he improved. Maybe that’s the nature of the trauma process, or maybe that was God healing him in front of my eyes. Either way, God is his protector, healer, and sustainer, and He deserves that glory!

3. I desperately needed translation help in order to advocate for the best care possible. And God provided it. He sent some of our staff members from our children’s home to stay by our sides those first two days, and they listened to our requests and fought for Robbie. A friend six hours away called and told me she wanted to help, and because she’s Thai but also speaks English, she was able to get on the phone and have Robbie admitted (finally!) so he could receive care and pain management. My girls, Abi, Yim, Kwan, and Namwan, helped translate so I knew what was happening and could make decisions. Other missionaries came and offered prayer support, advice, and calm. And yesterday, as Robbie was coming out of surgery (to a waiting room so full of supporters that the staff laughed about it), our American missionary friend arrived with her amazing gift for the Thai language.

Suddenly the world was opened up to me as I could now know what medicines Robbie was being given and other details I wouldn’t have understood otherwise. God knew what was needed, and He used people to answer the need.

4. Hannah (our oldest daughter) and Shelby (our student missionary) took what is generally a 5-person job caring for the children and have managed it between the two of them since Sunday. They haven’t complained; they’ve simply stepped up.

5. Shelby and Abi were supposed to apply for their visa extensions yesterday, and with Robbie’s surgery, it didn’t happen. Today, two visiting missionaries, Harvey and Brenda, offered to take them to do it, which was HUGE! They were approved, so we now have 30 extra days before we have to worry about getting them across the border to apply for a longer one.

6. The cost of medical fees, including surgery, is estimated to be around $3000. That’s obviously a lot of money but NOTHING compared with what we’d be faced with in our home country. 

Robbie has now been released from the hospital and is recovering at home. Next time he needs to find a less painful way to get a vacation!

Editor’s note: 
Please continue to pray for Robbie as he recovers from his injuries. We praise God for how He has sustained him and know He will be with him throughout the recovery process. Please also pray for the rest of the Norton family and their ministry in Thailand.

God has provided the funds to pay Robbie’s hospital bills! But if you would like to support the Nortons’ ongoing ministry in Thailand to at-risk children, please click the button below.

The Story Behind the Accident

Kasey also shared the past few days' events from her perspective and what she knows about the accident.

If you are interested, you can read that story here.