Man rescued from near-drowning during Easter gets second chance at life and love
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Authors Squire Rushnell and Louise DuArt coined the word “Godwink” to describe the way God works in mysterious ways, as exemplified in this story for Easter Sunday. As they told Fox News Digital, “What mysterious force in the universe causes us to help someone in need — only to discover that it was we who caused life changes?”
‘God loves you even if you reject him’
For Easter in New Orleans a few years ago, store windows that had recently been adorned with sequined outfits, colorful boas, and feathered headdresses for Mardi Gras were now adorned with pink and green, chocolate bunnies, and baskets of Lily of the Valley.
Gerry Ponson strolled arm in arm through the French Quarter with his then-girlfriend, Shannon, laughing and exchanging tender glances.
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Ponson balanced his air of childlike curiosity with the commanding presence of a sea captain who spends money barking orders to his crew. Meanwhile, the nurse from Shannon arrived.
He had learned to encapsulate his patience in a pleasant, carefree spirit. What was not visible was his anxiety; If he brought his sturdy lover too close to marriage, he could run away.
During the Easter season, the streets of New Orleans were decorated with pink and green baskets, chocolate bunnies, and Lilies of the Valley as Gerry Ponson wandered around with his then-girlfriend Shannon Ponson. (iStock)
Luckily, Gerry’s younger sister, Penny Ponson, had become Shannon’s best ally. The women shared a strong faith and agreed during frank conversations that she would benefit from believing in “someone greater than herself above.”
Penny told Shannon that she had recently talked about faith with her sister.
“I told him, ‘Even if you reject Him, God loves you and you can’t do anything about it.'”
“What did he say to that?” Shannon asked.
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“Get out of the house!”
They both laughed.
rapidly developing storm
Ponson had a tradition during that spring break season. Every year, he would take his big friend, Mac, and Mac’s championship dog, Booga, duck hunting across the New Orleans bayous. This year Mac was suffering; He lost his wife of 45 years.
The trio set out on Ponson’s 5-meter boat at 4:30 in the morning, as per their norms. Booga took his place, standing at the bow, as Gerry wrapped Mac in a heavy blanket and woolen hat. The temperature was hovering in the 30s.
The icy water began to hit the gunwale, causing the boat to flip over like a toy.
For the first half hour, Ponson felt the excitement of this venture. Then, as he noticed the changes in the wind and the rocking of the boat, an uneasiness came over the experienced sailor.
He always checked the weather; It was second nature to a fisherman. But the rapidly rising wind brought with it higher waves that hit the small boat with increasing force.
Every year, Gerry Ponson, pictured above, took an elderly friend from New Orleans duck hunting across the bay. A sudden storm during the Easter season will surprise them both. (Gerry Ponson)
Ponson had heard of storms—systems that had escaped the attention of meteorologists—developing quickly in the northern Gulf before developing into high winds, towering waves, and rare but deadly storms.
Within minutes, the icy water began lapping over the gunwale, causing the boat to flip over like a toy, throwing the three people inside into the dark, shockingly cold water.
Ponson grabbed his friend by the second man’s life jacket and shouted: “Keep moving your arms and feet!” He knew his older friend could quickly suffer from hypothermia.
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Something hit his arm; It was the boat’s 3-meter pushing mast. He grabbed her and dragged her into the turbulent water. When he hit rock bottom, Ponson was grateful; At least they had something to hold on to.
“Hold on, Mac,” Ponson said over the wind. “A boat will come through the canal, I’m sure of it.”
“Wait, Mac. It’ll be light soon. Someone will come.”
Booga paddled closer, panting. For a while Ponson held him by the collar.
For the next hour, Ponson struggled to keep everyone alive as the waves pounded the three of them in pitch darkness; He kept Mac upright for a few minutes, then let Booga rest.
“I’m cold, Gerry,” Mac said weakly.
Ponson felt helpless and frustrated. He finally made the hardest decision he could remember.
Believing in unseen things or miracles has never been Ponson’s strong suit as he tries to keep himself and two others alive in the water. (iStock)
“I can’t save either of you, Mac,” he said sympathetically. “I must let Bouga go.”
Knowing that the chances of survival in this weather were almost impossible, he chased the dog towards the shore.
“Wait, Mac. It’ll be light soon,” he said. “Someone will come.”
But an hour passed without another boat in sight. Moreover, believing in unseen things or miracles has never been Ponson’s strong suit.
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His thoughts turned to Shannon. He was a believer, but he gave her his own space.
Another half hour crawled by. The sky slowly began to turn gray and the waves began to ease. However, a fog surrounded them.
Less than a minute later, something moved in the mist.
“I can’t take it anymore,” Mac growled.
For the first time, Gerry remembered what Penny had said: “God loves you and you can’t do anything about it!”
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He bent his face towards the empty sky. “If you are there, please send us a boat,” he whispered. Then, as if on a whim, he added: “Please give me a second chance.”
Less than a minute later, something moved in the mist. He squinted. It was as if a hole had opened in the fog.
Was it a cross?
“If you are there, please send us a boat,” Ponson whispered. Then, as if on a whim, he added: “Please give me a second chance.” (Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Suddenly he saw the mast of a boat. He took off his shirt and shook it wildly.
“Mac! It’s a boat! They see us!”
‘Immediately’
A smaller boat soon transported them to a larger ship. As Ponson climbed the rope ladder, he noticed something that stopped him.
The name written on the hull of the boat was “Second Chance”.
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Soon a churning noise was heard from above. He felt grateful as he watched his elderly friend being taken to the hospital by medical evacuation helicopter.
Shortly thereafter, the Second Chance boat docked in New Orleans; Another surprise was waiting here.
Dancing in circles on the pier was Booga — live.
The couple hugged each other tightly as soon as they saw each other. Ponson knew exactly what to say to his long-time girlfriend. (Gary Ponson)
The best surprise was yet to come, though.
Shannon stood silently on the dock with tears on her face.
The couple hugged tightly. Ponson knew exactly what to say.
He remembered the name of that boat the moment he saw it, right after asking for a “second chance.”
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“God wants me to say this. Will you marry me?”
Shannon’s face filled with joy: “Yes.”
“One condition,” he added breathlessly. “Let’s do it now. Will you marry me on Easter Sunday?”
Tears filled his eyes. “Yes and yes.”
Shannon and Gerry Ponson are shown at left. A near-fatal boating accident led a skeptical man to faith, love and a life-changing “second chance.” (Gerry Ponson; iStock)
Days later at a wedding chapel in New Orleans — with Mac in a wheelchair as best man and Booga serving as “top dog” — the couple exchanged their vows and began a brand new chapter in their lives.
Within weeks, Ponson augmented his duties as a fishing boat captain with a part-time job at Celebration Church in New Orleans.
To this day he shares his testimony as a street preacher.
This story by SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt is published with special permission. Copyright ©SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt. Everyone can learn more about Godwinks projects: www.godwinks.com. The story of the Ponsons was first published in the book “When God Winks at You” by SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt Rushnell.
