On the morning of August 8, 1991, Mike Van Vranken’s day started like any other. He made his way to Fairfield Bay, Arkansas, for a business meeting, almost an hour-and-a-half drive from his hometown of Little Rock. A little after noon that day, Mike received a call no parent ever wants to receive. It was a call that would change the Van Vranken family forever.
On the other end of the line, Van Vranken heard the words that his 15-year-old daughter, Emily, had been in a car accident with a friend, and one of them was being cut from the wreckage. He immediately left his meeting and made a speedy drive back to Little Rock. While driving, a song repeatedly came to his mind. He began singing “On Eagle’s Wings,” a song written from the promises of Psalm 91 that Mike began to declare over his daughter.
“Somewhat in shock, and driving like a fool, I really didn’t know why I was singing–or why I was singing that particular hymn,” Mike recalled. “It was only later that I realized that the Holy Spirit had taught me that hymn years before for this particular day. For, on this day, I wasn’t just singing. I was literally standing on the promises that God gave us around 3,000 years ago when He gave us Psalm 91.”
When he arrived at Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock, Mike found Emily unconscious and in critical condition. But God answered the Van Vranken family’s prayers and heard their cries for a miracle. Three days later, Emily woke up and began her long journey of healing.
“Emily had no use of her right leg or arm, she had to relearn how to walk, write, tie her shoes and brush her teeth,” Mike said. “She needed speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and more. She also had no short-term memory or cognitive reasoning. These life-changing impairments, along with the discovery of many more, were all the result of a traumatic brain injury.”
Once told she might not ever walk again or get to attend school, God had other plans for Emily and the Van Vranken family. In 1994, Emily graduated from Mount St. Mary Academy and in 2007, ran her first of many half-marathons. With a heart to serve and love others who were going through similar situations like Emily’s, in 1995, the Van Vranken family established the Psalm 91 Fund.
Originally, the fund was established to help families with children at Baptist Health Rehabilitation Institute, where the Van Vranken family spent time as Emily began her healing journey. For families that needed financial assistance for food, lodging or medical equipment, the fund was available to bless others. Since the fund was established, it has expanded its blessings to help patients of all ages at Baptist Health.
“You don’t know what it is like to be a family of a patient in the hospital until you are living that situation,” Mike reflected. “You want to do everything it takes to get your loved one well. This fund helps patients’ families not have to worry about lodging or a meal so they can give their attention to their loved one.”
The Van Vrankens’ generosity also helped establish the Psalm 91 Garden outside of Baptist Health Rehabilitation Institute. The peaceful garden features wheelchair accessible picnic tables, various walking surfaces to aid patients in rehab, trees, beautiful flowers and a soothing waterfall.
“We wanted the garden to offer therapeutic rest and relaxation to patients, family and workers alike,” Mike said. “The garden is used to help patients ambulate, as well as allow them to just get outside. And, at the same time, BHRI staff use it for much needed breaks and retreats. Families of patients seek out the garden for peace, comfort, prayer and isolation.”
August 8, 1991, was a day that changed Mike forever. Now, through the Psalm 91 Fund, the Van Vranken family continues their desire to provide tangible relief for families facing difficult circumstances of their loved ones- a story they know all too well.
“Our family is grateful that we can help others facing similar situations,” Mike said. “We have the opportunity to see and be aware of how people are suffering and be able to step in and help others.”
To donate to the Psalm 91 Fund, visit https://www.baptisthealthfoundation.org/areas-of-purpose/psalm-91/.
