Duck-hunting trip in New Orleans turns nearly deadly until last-minute prayer brings miracle
For the first half-hour, Ponson felt excitement about the venture. Then, noticing changes in the wind and the rocking of the boat, an uneasiness crept over the veteran seaman.
He always checked the weather — second nature for a fisherman. But the wind, rising quickly, brought higher waves that slammed the small boat with growing force.
Every year, Gerry Ponson, pictured above, took an older friend duck hunting across the bay from New Orleans. A sudden storm would take them both by surprise. (Gerry Ponson)
Ponson had heard the lore of fast-developing storms in the northern Gulf — systems that escaped the notice of meteorologists — before exploding into near-gale winds, towering waves and rare but deadly storms.
Within moments, icy water began crashing over the gunwale, causing the boat to flip like a toy — and dumping the three occupants into the dark, shockingly cold water.
Ponson grabbed his friend by the latter man’s life jacket, shouting, “Keep moving your arms and feet!” He knew his older friend could quickly suffer from hypothermia.
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Something bumped his arm — it was the boat’s 10-foot push pole. He seized it, driving it downward into the churning water. When it struck bottom, Ponson was thankful — at least they’d have something to hang onto.
“Hold on, Mac,” said Ponson over the wind. “There’ll be a boat coming down the channel, I’m sure of it.”
“Hold on, Mac. It’ll be light soon. Somebody’ll come.”
“I can’t hold on much longer,” Mac croaked.
For the first time, Gerry remembered what Penny had said: “God loves you, and you can’t do a thing about it!”
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He tilted his face toward the empty sky. “If you’re there — please send us a boat,” he whispered. Then, as an afterthought, he added, “Please, give me a second chance.”
Less than a minute later, something moved in the fog. He squinted. A hole in the mist seemed to open.
“If you’re there — please send us a boat,” Ponson whispered. Then, as an afterthought, he added, “Please, give me a second chance.” (Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Suddenly he saw the mast of a boat. He ripped off his shirt and waved it wildly.
“Mac! It’s a boat! They see us!”
‘Right away’
A smaller boat soon ferried them to a larger vessel. As Ponson climbed the rope ladder, he noticed something that stopped him cold.
The name painted on the hull of the boat was “Second Chance.”
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Soon there was a churning sound overhead. He felt grateful as he watched his older friend lifted by a medivac helicopter, to be rushed to a hospital.
A short while later, the Second Chance boat pulled up to the dock in New Orleans — where another surprise awaited.
On the pier was Booga — alive.
The couple embraced tightly the minute they spotted each other. Ponson knew exactly what he was going to say to his longtime girlfriend. (Gary Ponson)
Still, the best surprise was yet to come.
Standing quietly on the dock, tears on her face, was Shannon.
The couple embraced tightly. Ponson knew exactly what he was going to say.
It had come to mind the moment he saw the name of that boat, right after he’d asked 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. “Will you marry me on Easter Sunday?”
Tears filled her eyes. “Yes and yes.”
Shannon and Gerry Ponson, shown at left. A near-death boating accident led a skeptical man to faith, love — and a life-changing “second chance.” (Gerry Ponson; iStock)
That spring, at a New Orleans wedding chapel — with Mac, in a wheelchair, as best man — and Booga serving as “best dog” — the couple said their vows and began a brand-new chapter in their lives.
Within weeks, Ponson augmented his tasks as a fishing boat captain with a part-time job at Celebration Church in New Orleans.
To this day, as a street preacher, he shares his testimony.
This story by SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt is published by special permission. Copyright ©SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt. Anyone can learn more about the Godwinks projects at www.godwinks.com. The Ponsons’ story was first published in the book “When God Winks at You” by SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt Rushnell.
Kelly McGreal is a production assistant with the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.
Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/duck-hunting-trip-new-orleans-turns-nearly-deadly-until-last-minute-prayer-brings-miracle