KRTV.com | Great Falls, Montana
In the story above, the unnamed victim is Jeff Alexander, the grandson of a former Grace Brethren pastor, the late Galen Lingenfelter, and his late wife, Kathern. He is currently in a Salt Lake City, Utah, hospital being treated for burns following an explosion at his home on Friday. (Galen Lingenfelter pastored Grace Brethren congregations in Buena Vista, Va.; Elyria, Ohio; and Fort Wayne, Ind.) Jeff is the son of Charlene (Lingenfelter) Alexander and the late Thomas Alexander. Jeff’s wife, Stephanie, and sons, William and Jack, are with him.
Below is a message sent yesterday by Jeff’s sister, Heather Alexander Kamami:
My brother, Jeff Alexander, is the man mentioned in this article. … I am reaching out to all venues to ask fellow Christians and the people who are connected to the Lingenfelter family to ask for prayer. Jeff’s body has been badly burned on 96 percent of his body. He was flown yesterday to an excellent burn center in St. Lake City, Utah. Family are there with him. The doctors are telling us to prepare for the worst, even they are doing everything they can to save him. Jeff is married and the father of two young boys. He has served this country both in the Army and the Navy. Our family is asking everyone who prays to pray for Jeff. Our God is a mighty God, a God of miracles, and that is what we are praying for. Jeff is alive because a neighbor went in the burning house and pulled Jeff out. We praise God for that. There is hope for recovery. Please join our family in prayer and lift Jeff up to the Lord.
Here’s an update sent today by his mother:
Today, Jeff has been awake, alert, and PRAISE THE LORD (!), very responsive! He has smiled at us, waved his hands and arms to greet us, and even “danced with his feet and toes” a bit, when Steph played some “Rush” (his favorite band) for him! He has had precious time with his two little boys, and been able to hear and understand them when they say, “I love you Daddy!”… We are praising God for every victory!!! He is listed as stable, although doctors are very cautious, and don’t seem inclined to give us much hope. He is very badly burned, but our Jeff is inside that skin, and our God is in charge of that body, so we rest in our faith…in both the love and power of God, as well as the strength and will to live that we know Jeff has. Please continue to lift Jeff up in prayer. We adore him. We know you care deeply, as well. Thank you for all your love and support to ALL of us in this difficult time. Please pass the word along for us. We want you all to know the latest, but we can’t possibly manage total communication on our own. Thanks for everything!