My Visit with Billy Aulds

By Dr. James Kennard

In October of 2003 I was traveling from a meeting in Memphis when by cell phone I got the news that Billy Aulds was in a bad accident. Billy is one of our missionaries working with the church and school in Puerto Rico. Billy was walking to the church that morning to pick up a car when a large crane truck approached from behind and a wheel came off the truck striking Billy in the back, knocking his head against a concrete wall. Immediately after it happened the doctors did not give much hope of his recovery. They also said if he did recover they did not give much hope of his memory returning. Billy was in a coma for several weeks and while in this critical stage they almost lost him a couple of times. Shock treatment was used in order to restart his heart. All we could do was pray and ask the Lord to give the doctors wisdom to know what to do; all the while believing that if it was God’s will He could raise Billy up from this bed of affliction. His family went through a very difficult time in not knowing what the outcome would be. Miraculously Billy did regain consciousness and gradually began getting some memory back. There are many things he cannot remember, however, he also does remember some of the things in the past very well.

I had to go to Puerto Rico in February to be in the meetings in the churches there and while I was in Puerto Rico I had the privilege of going to the hospital room and visit with Brother Aulds. This was a great blessing to me. I walked into the room wondering if he would know me. He looked at me and said, “Kadena Air Force Base.” He and his family had served a number of years in Okinawa as missionaries with our military church and this Air Force base was one of the larger bases on the island so I know he has immediately connected me with Okinawa. I used to be a missionary there in Okinawa and had made a number of trips there while he was working in that place. Then he said, “Brother Kennard” and this was great blessing to me that he did remember me when I came in.

I was also able to visit with Billy on other occasions while I was there and it was always a blessing to be able to talk with him. His family was a real encouragement to me as well while I was there on the island. God has answered many prayers for Billy and his family. I want to quote some excerpts from a recent letter received from his wife. Linda Aulds writes, “Things are going very well in Puerto Rico. We continue to see improvement with Billy. His mind is better even though there are still moments when his short term memory is lacking. He still does not remember the accident or even quite a few events that have recently occurred in his life. Most of the people he will recognize, and it is amazing how he will tell you a student’s last name as soon as you say their first name. Of course Billy has enjoyed the trips out of rehab with the family and has especially enjoyed going to church and to Stephanie’s graduation and to Rachel and Michael’s school awards program.

“We saw an orthopedic surgeon on Tuesday and they said surgery on his hips will be feasible at the proper time. He will have a three phase bone scan and an SMA20 test done the first of September. He will take the test with him to a September 28th appointment to see if the doctors feel that his bones are ready for surgery. The doctor cannot assure that the surgery will help him to walk but they do feel it will help with range of motion and relieve some of the pain.

“I will be once again teaching the third and fourth grades. I feel as though the Lord want us to continue in the ministry and even though there are many questions about our future plans we know that He has the answers. All of the family wants to be used of God and to serve Him. It is such a blessing to hear Billy talking about our Lord and we are thankful for the opportunities God has given us to witness for Him because of Billy’s accident. I know Billy’s needs must be met, and I also know that I will need an outlet from the 24 hour continued care and I am looking to what might be available while still allowing me to continue in the ministry. Billy will be coming home in the next three to four weeks and I ask that you pray as they continue his home care. He is still not able to stay by himself and I need guidance to know what is best.

Stephanie will be leaving to go to Pensacola Christian College in June. She is going for the summer work program and this will help to meet her needs for college next year. Rachel and Michael will be going to be spend a month in South Carolina with friends from our sending church which is Grace Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina. I will be flying to Pensacola for three days to register Stephanie in college and then I will return to Puerto Rico to be with Billy.”

Continue to pray for Billy Aulds and also for his wife, Linda, and the children during this difficult time. The picture of him in his wheelchair with his family was a great blessing to know that he can at least move around in a wheelchair. E-Mail Just an email message would be an encouragement. They may not be able to answer all of their emails because of their schedule of taking care of Billy. Their phone number is 787-863-1247 and their address is c/o Maranatha Baptist Church, HC 55 Box 26361, Ceiba Puerto Rico 00735-9801. Most of all please pray for them.