Hovsepian Ministries

Gilbert just came out of recovery from his surgery on his wrist and elbow. Based on the two surgeons' report the surgery was successful and Gilbert is expected to see great improvement on his hand rotation. This could be a great news to Gilbert who uses his hands for playing music for the Lord. His right hand will be in cast for next 6 weeks and of course the end result will be revealed after the cast is removed. We are thankful to the Lord and to Gilbert's doctors. On behalf of the family we want to sincerely THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS. Have a blessed time with family and friends at Thanksgiving.

Gilbert will have a critical surgery on his right hand tomorrow afternoon (Nov.24th). Please keep him in your prayers. I will have another update tomorrow after the surgery.

Gilbert was discharged from the hospital and is brought home. This is a great sign of his fast recovery. He will still need to go to rehab three days a week, over the next few months. While he still suffers from intense back pain and some nausea, being home has certainly helped his mood and will play a key role in his recovery. Please note that the family has specifically requested for no visitation at their house. Thank you for your attention to this request. Thank you for your continuous prayers, love and support.

After 3 weeks waiting, Gilbert's children came to visit daddy.

Doctors are impressed by the progress Gilbert is making with his recovery.
- Gilbert is currently in a rehab center. He is expected to be there for one more month. Every day for 3 hours, he does various physical therapies and exercises, to strengthen his muscles.
- While the physical therapy and exercises are very exhausting, his memory seems fully functional, as he remembers everything. To us he is the same Gilbert that we knew, and for that we are very thankful.
- At Gilberts' request, we ask that all visitations be limited to immediate family only, due to his pain, tiredness and other limitations. We will continue posting more videos from him within the next few days.
- In the next 30 days he will have to overcome a number of physical and emotional challenges. We are grateful for your prayers and support and we ask that you continue praying for Gilberts' patience during this long journey of recovery. THANK YOU.

Gilbert watching Christian programs and being blessed even by his own sermons.

This is the first video from Gilbert while in the hospital. In this short interview (which even I was impressed by his answers) Gilbert shares how he received messages and visions from the Lord and how excited and passionate he is to serve the Lord after his recovery. We are so thankful for your continuous prayers as Gilbert still has a long road to full recovery.

Gilbert is showing good progress in his recovery.
1) Today the doctors disconnected his IV and also the feeding tube in his nose, which has resulted in him feeling more comfortable in general. He has started eating light food through his mouth.
2) His brain has started to wake up on its own more often. While its not 100% there yet, but his memory has shown great progress. He is able to engage in longer conversations now.

1) That God prevented the accident from resulting in irreversible damage or even death - but instead graciously spared Gilbert's life.
2) That Gilbert is in recovery and showing positive progress.
3) For the doctors and nurses who work on Gilbert's recovery.
4) For Gilbert's immediate family - including spouses and children whose care, presence, patience, and emotional and spiritual support has been a rock.
5) Iranians and non-Iranian friends who have persistently prayed for Gilbert on their knees and encouraged Gilbert's family at this time of crisis.
6) Financial supporters who are sensitive to Gilbert's long term recovery expenses as well as the overhead costs during the months he will be unable to work.
7) Social media, which has allowed speedy, two way communication between the hospital room and the rest of the world.
8) The Hovsepian Ministries' staff that work alongside me - who post updates on Gilbert, provide translations, handle incoming requests, and other administrative work.
9) God using this incident to revive and unite Iranians and the global church in a special way and turning this tragedy into a testimony.
10) For who God is through His love: Jehovah, provider, almighty healer, counselor, comforter, our Father.

1- Gilbert's arm surgery was successful. His hands and fingers should be 100% functional (specially for playing music) he is already using them to scratch his head or say goodbye to us.
2- Doctors have now put a strong brace around his chest and back, which will secure and support his back for the next few weeks.
3- He is doing the breathing exercise every hour to activate his lungs.
4- it seems he does not need any other surgery. Now we hope his brain will wake up over the next few days.
May the Lord bless you.

Gilbert is currently in surgery room for his third surgery this week. in this procedure they remove the external rod support from his arm and will put a platinum inside his arm.

God has given Gilbert and all of us a great gift to start the 2015 with.

1- Gilbert had his latest CT scan today and the result shows that the bleeding has stopped in his brain. Following this successful result, the doctors have decided to release Gilbert from CCU into the less critical department of DOU (Direct Observation Unit)
2- All the blood from Gilbert's lungs have been removed and cleared and the tube was disconnected from his chest.
The next stage is for Gilbert's brain to wake up on its own. Starting tonight Gilbert will be completely off any medication to help with his brain wake up. Based on what doctors expect he will start to feel extreme pain in his surgery areas. As Gilbert enters this new stage, doctors have put strict surrounding condition on him, which means absolutely no visitations, except immediate family with no exceptions.
We have a lot to celebrate today and praise the Lord for. Let's pray for extra strength for Gilbert as he will be facing the pain in his body.

Gilbert has come out of the surgery and is expected to be back in his room any minute. The doctors have given a short but very good report on the outcome. They put spinal braces in his back, which will support his back and will allow him to have the balance required to control his body. The doctor said he would like to see Gilbert exercising and start taking small steps within the next few days, which will help his overall recovery. However, this is all dependent on how soon his brain will start to function and how soon he will wake up on his own.
I will try to do another short recap by tonight sharing a few interesting stories.
Everybody here is happy and thankful to the Lord.

Gilbert on his way to surgery room for his spinal cord surgery. This will be a 4-6 hour procedure. Let's pray that God will do a miracle through the surgical team.

This is Gilbert’s 3rd day in the hospital and an emotional day for the family. While Gilbert is still under heavy medications and is sleeping most of the time, he is awakened by the doctors for a few seconds every few hours. When Gilbert was shown his two daughters’ picture, with his one eye open, he was immediately able to recognize them and said their names. Earlier, he had recognized his wife Ani, and later he was also able to recognize his brother and sister by name.
The doctors have decided not to do any surgery on his neck, and to leave the cast around his neck for it to heal within next six weeks.
As we are into the 3rd day, Gilbert’s body needs nutrition. A tube was connected to Gilbert’s nose to provide some nutrition and protein.
God willing I will have another video update by tonight.

It is exactly 24 hours that Gilbert arrived at this hospital. Gilbert is expected to go under several surgeries over the next few weeks.
Gilbert just came out of his first surgery today which was related to his broken arm, elbow, and the blood surrounding his left lung. The doctors said his arm and elbow surgery was 100% successful and functional. He currently has an external rod support around his arm. Later, he will need another surgery to place a platinum rod inside his arm. We know Gilbert's hands and fingers are very important to him as a musician and we are glad to receive this successful report.
The doctors also put a tube in Gilbert's chest to pump out considerable amount of blood from his left lung which was making breathing a challenge. The results of this procedure has been successful and will be evaluated in a few hours again.
The next important surgery will be on Tuesday or Wednesday for two of his vertebrae around his upper spine. The sensitivity of the spinal cord and the fact that his whole body control balance depends on those vertebrae, a special surgical team has been scheduled to be involved.
The family is in great spirit and standing strong.
Thank you for your love and support.

Gilbert had his 3rd CT scan this morning. Few minutes ago the doctors gave the family the good news that bleeding in brain has stopped and there is no need for immediate brain surgery as he is stabilized. While the intensity of the brain damage will only be known over time as he recovers, his stabilized brain condition is still a great news for his health and all of us. This also allows the doctors to focus their attention on other injured areas.
On another good note, the bleeding in his lungs has not effected inside his lungs, and is just around it. That can minimize other potential infections he could have as a result of that bleeding.
We really believe the prayers of thousands of people around the world has brought Gilbert where he is right now. Please continue your prayers.
Gilbert will go under two surgeries today, for his arm and neck.
While our human mind may want to put an uncertain image of future together, we are constantly reminded of the Lord saying: I am with you TODAY. We praise the Lord for Gilbert's faithfulness to the Lord, and Lord's favor on Gilbert.

Let me start by saying how thankful Ani (Gilbert's wife) and all of us are by your prayers and comments, and standing with us at this time where many things are not clear to us yet. As many of you have asked for more details and update, I will take time to go into more details in this post. this way you will know what to pray for and also will not have to imagine what the situation is like. As much as I like to think of the best for Gilbert, here are some facts that the doctors have given us:
1- His right arm is broken in one or two areas. They will have to do a surgery, but considering there are more serious areas of concern, they are holding it back for tomorrow or day after.
2- Two of his ribs are broken and caused slight damage/possible bleeding to his lungs. This can cause breathing through lungs more painful. and ultimately needs a surgery. The worse part of this is the fact that moving from bed is almost impossible for him at this stage, due to so much pain and possible further damage.
3- His neck was fractured in a few areas and may require another surgery. but that is to be decided later by the doctors after more pictures are taken. His spine seems to be okay. At first the doctors were worried if he could move the lower part of his body, but later Gilbert was able to move his legs and knees and toes, and that was a good news that there is not a threat of being paralyzed from the waist down. He still has to do surgery on his spine due to two broken vertebrae. This will be one of the most critical surgeries and a special surgical team is scheduled to perform it in 2-3 days.
4- His right eye has a big swallow, and apparently one of the small bones around the eyebrow was fractured and possibly needs cosmetic sugary sometime later.
5- As a result of the impact of his head in the helmet with the mountain side, the front right side of his forehead/ brain was impacted, resulting in some blood complications in his brain. when he was brought to hospital's CCU by helicopter, they did a quick CT scan. later tonight they did the 2nd CT scan and found out the bleeding is still active and has not stopped. this is not a good news. However the bleeding is not aggressive, otherwise they would take him straight to brain sugary tonight. they will do another CT scan tomorrow around noon and will see if the blood is scattering more or if it has stopped.

The situation with his brain is the most threatening and worrying part of Gilbert's health as it is connected also with his breathing and makes recovery and surgeries much harder. the part of his brain being impacted can effect memory, language, speaking, personality and strangely enough to his breathing. I was able to speak to him and ask him move his toes or fingers as doctors suggested. He was able to respond very well. However, the damage to his memory or speaking, is something we will learn more about, in next few days. Last night we filmed a Christmas music video with Gilbert and he was as healthy and fun as ever. This morning he went for a bike ride with a few friends. At a low speed on a canyon road, on a turn, his front tire slipped on the dirt/sand and caused him lose control and fall on the mountain side. Based on what the witnesses describe, at everyone's surprise he was unable to move, get up. or even talk.

The ambulance and helicopter arrived within 20 minutes and took him straight to the near by hospital. As i am writing about Gilbert's situation, I still cannot believe that I am describing my own brother. I know many of you feel the same. We are thankful to have a large family in Christ. We continue trusting in the Lord for His interference in this situation, and turning a tragedy into a testimony.

I promise I will continue posting more updates on daily basis, as I know very well how it feels like to think and pray for someone but not have much news. We do appreciate your prayers and also respecting the request of the family at this stage for not going to hospital or contacting the family members about the details of the accident, etc. Thank you for your understanding. I hope my post will help you better connect with Gilbert's situation. In hope of sharing better news in the coming days. May the Lord bless you.

Dear friends, I would like to share a shocking news which certainly requires your prayers. My brother Gilbert was in a motorcycle accident this afternoon and currently is in CCU section in a critical condition with several broken bones in hand, ribs and neck area as well as some complications in his brain and lungs. We would like to ask you to pray for his full recovery as the result of the tests over the next few days are very critical. PLEASE NOTE that we appreciate if you do not contact any of the family members by calling, texting, messaging or email, as we are unable to respond. At this point hospital visitation is not allowed and we ask you not to plan to come to the hospital as that is what the family prefers. However you can post comments on this page and Gilbert's family will be able to view and be strengthened. I will continue adding posts on Gilbert's condition and update you with his recovery frequently. We believe that the Lord is in control and will deliver him.