Stewart continues to improve from injuries in Alaska gas explosion

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Alaska Baptist Convention Evangelism director Jimmy Stewart, pictured with his wife Kathryn, suffered extensive burns over his body after a propane tank blew at the family cabin. FACEBOOK/Special Alaska Baptist Convention Evangelism director Jimmy Stewart, pictured with his wife Kathryn, continues to recover in a University of Washington burn center from injuries suffered in a July gas explosion at the family's cabin. FACEBOOK/Special

Former Georgia Baptist state missionary and current Alaska Baptist Convention director of Evangelism and Church Development Jimmy Stewart continues to make strides in a University of Washington burn center from injuries suffered in a gas explosion July 23.

"We have many things to thank our Merciful God for this week!" Stewart's wife Kathryn shared on Facebook. "The 11th surgery last Mon was successful – the grafts on his head ... blend right in w/his skin & have healed so well you can barely see the borders. The shoulder/back grafts have taken & healed quickly. & any infection is long gone."

The post began with Jeremiah 32:27 – "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; Is anything too difficult for me? – before credit given to the staff of Harborview Medical Center. Kathryn Stewart proceeded to explain her husband gaining stamina and vigor, even cutting back on pain medication.

The explosion left third degree burns over 80 percent of Jimmy Stewart's body and blindness in one eye. Doctors are optimistic about his sight returning. On Oct. 3 Stewart underwent his 11th surgery since the accident.

"[H]e's beginning to get much needed fuller nights of rest over the past few days,"  Kathryn wrote on her husband's Caring Bridge site today. "Praise God! Swelling in his hands has come wayyyy down."

Jimmy Stewart and his daughter, Katelyn, stand on Flattop Mountain in Anchorage July 20, three days before Jimmy Stewart would be injured in a gas explosion at the family cabin. KATELYN STEWART/Facebook Jimmy Stewart and his daughter, Katelyn, stand on Flattop Mountain in Anchorage July 20, three days before Jimmy would be injured in a gas explosion at the family cabin. KATELYN STEWART/Facebook

Prayer for continued progress

As much progress as has been made thus far, she added that her husband – a known fitness buff – is ready to get back to his old self.

"He is eager to see further progress, asap," she wrote on Facebook.

The Caring Bridge site shared specific prayer requests:

  • Pray for healing and restoration of his eyesight.
  • Pray the tingling and numbness in his left hand will disappear and movement will return to his fingers.
  • That the extra bone growth (heterotrophic ossification) in both elbows will go away so he can bend them and wont be in such excruciating pain any longer.
  • Continued protection from infection.
  • Encouragement and endurance throughout the recover.
  • Opportunities and fortitude to share Hope and Truth to those in the hospital who don't have it.

In addition, the Alaska Baptist Convention established an update page on Stewart's condition. The page also contains information on helping the family financially.

Stewart served in the Georgia Baptist Mission Board (then Georgia Baptist Convention) Evangelism Department from 2001-02 before accepting his position in Alaska.

Alaska, evangelism, family, gas explosion, hospital, injuries, Jimmy Stewart, recovery, University of Washington