Rising from the Wreckage: One Family’s Journey Through Crisis

On a typical afternoon in January, a series of poor decisions nearly took Emilio Maradona’s life.

The Maradona family lives in a trailer home park in San Antonio, Texas. Gabriel and Isabel are parents to five children: three adult boys, aged 23, 19, and 18, and two young girls, aged eight and seven.

Gabriel owns a construction and home remodeling business. Work is generally slow during the winter months, and finances are tight. However, they recently began receiving Food Paks from Iglesia Bautista El Shaddai, which helped them make ends meet. Their two girls also receive free meals at their elementary school, which eases their financial burden during the school months.

On this particular day in January, 18-year-old Emilio went to spend the afternoon at his friend’s house, which he often did, but this time was different. In a matter of minutes, two choices changed everything for Emilio. While riding in his friend’s car, Emilio neglected to put on his seat belt. His friend ignored the speed limit and took a turn too fast.

The car flipped, and Emilio was thrown from the vehicle. He landed on the concrete. His face took the brunt of the impact.

It was a life-altering event, one that brought the family face-to-face with the possibility of a devastating loss. But by the grace of God, Emilio survived.

Emilio was rushed to the hospital and underwent a seven-hour facial reconstruction surgery. The left half of his face had been shattered, and there was severe damage to his eye.

Gabriel and Isabel spent two weeks in the hospital while Emilio recovered. Gabriel’s business suffered, and extensive medical bills began to pile up.

Pastor Juan Villastrigo and his wife, Luisa, offered spiritual and emotional support to the Maradona family during this crisis. Gabriel and Isabel, still healing from the trauma of nearly losing their son, found comfort and strength in their presence.

Several months and more than a few surgeries later, Emilio’s face has been reconstructed, and his healing has been remarkable. Although he lost sight in his left eye, he hasn’t lost his self-confidence, and he’s thankful to be alive.

Throughout this time, the Food Paks continued to come. They came when help was needed most, and the Maradona family considered them a tremendous blessing.

Gabriel and Isabel, having witnessed the church’s compassion in action and experienced God’s grace in protecting their son, recently made professions of faith and were baptized.

Gabriel has steady work now, which he is grateful for. His oldest son works with him. Emilio and his other brother are recent high school graduates. Both are looking into training that will help them when they join their father and oldest brother in the family business. The younger girls are thriving, excelling at school and actively participating in church.

As the Maradona family looks back on this painful chapter in their lives, they will never forget the trauma they experienced. Still, they will remember how it brought them closer as a family, into a caring church community, and a saving knowledge of a loving God.

Note: Recipients’ names have been changed to protect their privacy.

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