Our international family of churches has been very concerned for the Gniste family in Uddevalla, Sweden.

Håkan and Gunilla Gniste are significant leaders in our Nordic team. In the early hours of 3 March 2009 a very serious fire broke out in their home:

"A fire broke out in the Gniste home at 4am this morning. (It was not arson.) Gunilla and the kids got out but Håkan had to fight through flames and was badly burned. It seemed as he was getting dressed that his clothes caught fire. Gunilla went back in and found him as he could not see; in the process of leading him out her arms have suffered burns.

"Håkan has lost his hair and has burns on 80% of his body. At the moment he is in a sedated medicated coma but, though severely burned, his doctors are positive and say that his injuries are not life threatening. Please don't give up praying! Tomorrow they will start to operate on him.

"You can imagine that it has been quite chaotic, as he was airlifted by helicopter to Linköping, a good distance away, and Gunilla and Bella (their youngest girl), have been in another hospital in Trollhättan. Then there are the foster children to take care of as well!"

Today's reports are positive. Gunilla is out of hospital, although Håkan is likely to be there for some time:

"Håkan is still sedated, breathing on a respirator. He will most likely be sedated for a long time, because of the operations and to relieve the pain. The burns, both 2nd and 3rd degree, cover 70-80% of his body. All his organs are okay, but shock and inflammation are affecting the whole body.

"Today some of the family was allowed to visit Håkan: the oldest children and his brother and sister, together with Pastor Janne Sääf and Dave Richards. They sang and prayed for him.

"The doctor, nurse and social worker were very capable and accommodating. He is in the hands of the absolute best staff in the country. Thank God for the fine and gifted staff. 

"The doctor said that he didn’t believe they could save Håkan when he came in, but he was pleasantly surprised how well the first week has gone. They believe the eyes are undamaged. His beard is growing, which is good because the hair follicles produce new skin. There are areas with undamaged skin which can be used for cultivation and transplantation. This week there won’t be any operations so that Håkan’s body can rest. 

"Let us gather together in prayer around Håkan and the family! Please pray

• Pray that the swelling goes down.
• Pray that no shock or inflammation come back. 
• Pray that the "crp" level continues to go down. 
• Pray that the lungs continue to be healthy.
• Pray for the cultivation of skin from Håkan which will be used for transplanting.

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall rest under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of Jehovah, my refuge and my fortress; my God; in Him I will trust. Psalm 91:1-2"

Further updates

Further updates from http://gniste.blogspot.com. For regular email updates (in English) please contact mikep@saltlight.org