August Update
August 21, 2008

I am happy to report to you that July was my best month since the accident last November! Finally, I can actually see some real progress in my speech, as my speech therapist and chiropractor have been working hard to get me back to where I can speak fluently again after my head trauma episode from the accident. Between the prayers from my friends, speech therapy, special cranial treatments, determination and faith, I am finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel!

For the first time, I have been at near 100% fluency for almost an entire month! I only have small spurts here and there where my speech goes south, but I am able to recover quickly, which is something I have never been able to do before! I have so well, in fact, that my last meeting with my speech therapist was Tuesday Aug 12th!

The Tourettes noises are a bit better, as the medicines might be starting to take effect. They told me from the beginning that it might take up to 2 months to see any changes. The important thing is that I have showed no major side effects from the medication. That’s a huge deal for me, as I do not take medicines well! So God is with me, strengthening me every day, and getting me better. I am very grateful! It’s nice to be able to give a good report after all these months!

I Passed a Big Test!

OK, are you ready for this? For the first time in 9 months, I actually performed on Sunday August 10th!! My own church allowed me to try out some songs for our children, just to see if I could hold up. My two Praise Team Members, Laura Anne and Hannah Lee, were here with me the entire week and performed with me Sunday.. My main goal was to just use this experience as a gage to see where I was at, and whether or not I even had a chance of making steps toward a comeback this fall.

I am happy to report to you that my body held up just fine! I didn’t stutter, make those awful noises, scare any kids, fall apart or collapse, have any relapses – all those things I feared might happen in the back of my mind, because they happened with less stress before. It was also a test of endurance. And even though I got tired, I was able, by God’s strength, to pass my very first test back on the stage! I am so happy I can hardly contain it! God is going to give me my dream back!

So it’s obvious that God isn’t through with me yet! In fact, I think He wants to use me in deeper ways! Praise God for His goodness!

Perspective

To read my full report and read my insights from the “perspective” part of my letters, click below. In each letter I try to encourage my readers so that they can experience God’s greatness through their trials and struggles.

August Newsletter
July Newsletter
June Newsletter
May Newsletter
April Newsletter

Cya here, there, or in the air!
Uncle Charlie

July Update
July 19, 2008

Quick Review

If you are new to these updates, I have been trying to keep my friends, fans, customers and readers updated on my condition as I try to recover from a near fatal, high speed, head on collision I was involved in while on tour in November of 2007. The journey has had it’s ups and downs, but through it all God has been steady and faithful to provide our needs and to teach me valuable lessons.
If you are unfamiliar with my story, you can click on the top link to read about the accident and see pictures. Then you can scan the monthly updates to see how I have progressed. I include links to my monthly newsletters that go into more detail on my progress and how I deal with my feelings, good and bad. I try to encourage my readers, knowing that we all read to “know we’re not alone” in our struggles. My prayer is that God will use my words to encourage you or someone you know who is going through tough periods of time of any kind.

Progress This Past Month

Well, the last month had a 2-3 week stretch where I made significant improvement on my speech. My speech therapist and my nerve doctor have been helping me concentrate specifically on gaining control over my stuttering, and I made some great strides! A month ago I was only about 25% fluent at best. Each week got better until I was nearly at 100% fluency (no stuttering at all) for about 2 weeks! I literally had to re-train myself how to talk. It was extremely hard and exhausting, but great progress was made for the longest stretch of time yet!!
The Tourettes-like sounds have worsened, however. I can make some really loud noises at the most inopportune times! That can actually work to my advantage if I am standing in a long line at the store….…..all I have to do is start making those noises and the line clears out in a hurry! Haha!

But Then Another Setback

We visited the Tourettes Doctor for the first time in Gainesville, FL on Monday the 14th. I had a serious setback during that visit that blindsided me again. I was 100% fluent going in to that meeting, and as soon as I began speaking, everything came back with a vengeance. The stuttering, repeating words, memory loss, loud noises, body spasms, jerking – all of it. I could not control myself at all, and I was unable to gather myself long enough to practice anything I had been taught in therapy. It took the next 4 days to get my speech back to par, and I still have residual effects from that day. So it’s obvious that in non stressful situations I am making improvement, but in stressful situations I am nowhere close. They have me on new medicine they use for Tourettes patients, which they are hopeful will reduce everything I am experiencing. If we can get through a few weeks without the side effects, then I can try stressful situations again. If I do well for 2 months, then I can start thinking about touring again. But we still have a lot of questions to answer and tests top pass before I get any green lights.

Do You Ever Get Discouraged?

Don’t we all face discouraging moments? No matter who we are, what we do, or how close to the Lord we are - none of us are immune from difficulties, struggles, disappointments, or setbacks. It’s part of life and they can come in any form or at any time – (usually when we think we least need it!) Haha!
But I am learning through this ordeal in my life that discouragements test the inner core of who we are. How do we handle things that go wrong? For me, my initial reaction isn’t always the one that pleases God the most. I usually blow it first, then learn from it, then do better the next time. Don’t you think that’s true with most of us?
That’s why I have begun to attach my monthly newsletters for you – so that you can see my heart through the uncertainties and chaotic times of my life. I try to be honest and transparent so you can see that I am really no different than any of you. We are all on this journey called “life “ together.

I hope that as I share my feelings and what I am learning, that you will be encouraged – that you will be ministered to – that you will not feel alone in your battles – that you can use my letters to bless or encourage someone else in need. My desire is for God to use me in and through my weaknesses. So having said that, my July Newsletter link is below. If you didn’t get a chance to read my previos three newsletters, they are below July’s. Just click and print, then read and be blessed!

July Newsletter
June Newsletter
May Newsletter
April Newsletter

Until next time, take care and I’ll Cya here, there, or in the air!
Uncle Charlie

June Update
June 26, 2008

Quick Review

Well, friends, welcome to the “Chronicles of Charnia”! in case you are new to these updates, I have been trying to keep my friends and fans around the country posted on my progress since my near fatal accident in November. To get the full story on that, you’ll need to click on the top link “Click to read a summary about Uncle Charlie’s accident”. You’ll get details and can view pictures that will reveal what a miracle it is that I am even here today. Each month since November I have tried to give you updates on my progress and how I have been coping.

What We’ve Overcome

We are at a point now where thanks to God’s goodness and awesome power, I have been able to overcome a lot of things physically! We’ve come a long way from surviving 14 broken ribs, a broken sternum, three fractures in my right foot, multiple fractures in my right wrist, two wrist surgeries to repair structural and nerve damage, lacerated liver and spleen, and internal injuries! It’s good to be away from those hospital days, painful rehab days and wheelchair days!

Current Battle

The struggle we face now is something that didn’t manifest itself until late February. I had delayed post traumatic neurological issues as a result of head trauma and possibly other factors. Those neurological issues have caused problems with my motor and speech skills. Some of it has improved with time and medication, but others have not. The issues were a major set for me during my recovery and have kept me from touring again at least through the summer.

Most Recent Diagnosis

The specialists I have seen in Gainesville, FL have definitely determined that one of the things I am dealing with is called “Post Traumatic Tourettism”. That is just like Tourettes Syndrome, a Tic Disorder which causes motor and speech disfluency. My symptoms include stuttering, repeating words and phrases, breathing irregularities, uttering sudden uncontrollable noises, concentration and memory problems, and body spasms. The only difference in Tourettism and Tourettes is that Tourettism can be caused by head trauma to certain parts of the brain. This is the case with me. But there may be other drug related factors that go back to my first days in ICU in Oklahoma that have complicated this problem. I get in to see a Tourettes Specialist at the hospital in Gainesville in mid July. They say I am a very rare case because of the timing and the possible other factors, which they need to explore further. My prognosis is uncertain until they get some more answers. This may be treatable in time, or it may be something I will carry with me the rest of my life and have to learn to deal with. Either way, I am confident that God has a plan for me sticking around! I’m already a miracle, so I don’t intend on wasting my “second chance” opportunity!

My Encouragement to You

I have purposed myself to use this chaotic time in my life for good. I have gotten tons of positive feedback from folks who have read my updates and especially my more detailed monthly newsletters! So I continue to write, to share my feelings, my struggles, my ups and downs of the healing process. I do that in order to help folks who are struggling and trying to overcome their own giants in life. Of course I hope that someday I will be back on stage, but in the mean time, this is my stage. You are my audience. If I have anything that I can share from my heart to yours that will help or encourage or minister to you, then that’s what I’m all about!
I just finished my June Newsletter and want to make it available to you on the link below. I also included my last two newsletters. In them, I not only go in to more detail on my condition, but I have sections that explain my true heart – how I am trying to handle everything – how I feel from time to time and how I try to deal with those feelings. It’s honest and straight from the heart. I hope something I said in June’s edition, or the other two for that matter, turns out to be something the Lord can use for any of you who “read to know you are not alone” in your battles! Feel free to print these off and use them for anybody you think could use them! Here’s the links:

June Newsletter
May Newsletter
April Newsletter

Thank you!

I want all of you to know how much your prayers have meant to Tammy and myself since November! Of all the things that have made a difference for us, prayer is the most powerful of them all. And again my thanks to all of you who have emailed or written me personally, or have had your children’s groups make cards and notes! I put those in my “treasure box” and don’t intend on ever getting rid of them!
Please don’t stop praying for us. There’s still a lot of uncertainty ahead. And feel free to email me just to say hi or to let me know if and how any of my newsletters may be helping you! In the mean time, I’ll keep striving to make Made 2 Praise music for you and your groups until I can tour again.

God Bless you all, and we’ll see ya here, there, or in the air!
Uncle Charlie

Sidelined for the Summer
May 6, 2008

April was pretty much dominated with neurological episodes, doctors appointments, therapy, counseling and treatments. The symptoms simply have not gone away. I’ve had over 30 appointments over the past 4 weeks with my primary physician, throat specialist, speech therapist, physical therapists, neurologist, chiropractor, psychiatrist, psychologists, counselor, and orthopedic doctor. All of my doctors and therapists have been very helpful and thorough, but we still haven’t gotten to the bottom of things yet. I still stutter, utter noises, have inconsistent breathing patterns, jerking, twitching, and body spasms. Sometimes these episodes can get extremely intense and violent in nature.

To make matters even more fun, I have also been exhibiting symptoms which doctors say are consistent with head trauma.

* Short term memory loss
* Inability to concentrate
* Inability to find words as I speak
* Inability to actually articulate what I know I want to say – can’t get the words out at all
* Totally forgetting my next thought as I speak, sometimes leading to total silence
* Not being able to process thoughts in order to make decisions or handle stressful situations

I just recently underwent a 10 hour, extensive and intense cognitive evaluation in Gainesville, FL to determine the extent and treatment of the head trauma issues related to the accident. Hopefully once those results are in we can start making real progress with treatment.

The bad news is all of this pretty much nullified any chance of me being able to go back on the road this summer to minister through camps and events, so I had to make another difficult and painful decision to cancel all of my summer events.

Though I certainly do not understand what is going on, and why God seems to be holding me back from doing what I really love to do, I trust Him. I find comfort in His promises. I trust that He is in control of my affairs. I trust that He is working in me, through me, and for me. I trust in the Romans 8:28 principle that for God’s children, things don’t happen “to us”, but “for us”.

God’s promises are not there just to pacify us when we are feeling low. They are there to claim as our own as we seek Him and His will for our lives as we give Him the desires of our hearts. Those promises are there to work for us on our behalf. Everything under God’s hand has a purpose. There are no accidents in His agenda for us. His ways are far higher than our ways. And we can rest assured that He sees the bigger picture while all we see at times is what is right in front of us. Yes, we can really trust Him. So as tempting as it is for me to keep asking “Why, Lord?”, I am learning to instead ask, “Lord, What higher purpose do You have for me in this?”

That brings me to my final thought. I have come to realize that God’s ministry through me is not just limited to the audience that I connect with from the stage. Maybe for now He wants to use me in a different way, and for a different audience - those who read my updates. Someone once said “We read to know we are not alone”. How true! Maybe God can use my openness and vulnerability in my struggles to find meaning and purpose during a time in my life that is very confusing and frustrating, even as it happens.

Odds are that some of my readers are dealing with their own giants and sometimes feel alone or overwhelmed. If that is you, then be encouraged! The same God who promises me victory promises you victory as well! If you want to know more of my heart, click this link and feel free to print off my April edition of my monthly newsletter. I express myself in a little more detail in my newsletters, and hopefully you will find encouragement and some nuggets of truth you can hold on to as you deal with giants in your life!

Keep me in your prayers, and if you feel like dropping me a line, please feel free to do so! I love hearing from you! God bless you all!

Cya here, there, or in the air!
We’re Upward Bound!
Uncle Charlie

Setbacks in March
April 1, 2008

Well friends, I was hoping I didn’t need to update you anymore, but simply put, March was not one of my better months in my recovery process. I developed neurological issues and have spent the entire month visiting different doctors, getting MRI’s and Cat Scans, getting different treatments, and fighting ongoing symptoms. Things were coming along great with therapy and general healing, but then things took a sudden turn, and I think I gave new meaning to the term “March Madness”!

Neurological symptoms I have been dealing with are: Severe stuttering, repeating phrases frequently, fast breathing, heavy breathing, body spasms, twitching, uttering noises, trembling, shaking, short term memory loss, loss of concentration, tensing up, throat closing. (Sounds like a lot of fun, huh? Haha!)

My Doctor and Neurologist are saying they think it is a combination of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and Panic Disorder. They are also checking in to other possibilities, but that’s what it looks like right now. Apparently even though I have no memory of the accident before waking up during the rescue, my subconscious mind does. The theory is now that other physical symptoms are coming along in the healing process, the subconscious issues are kicking in. That’s what seems to be causing these violent neurological reactions. I am told that some of it is pain related and some is psychological in nature. I have no control over it. It can come on at any time, but it mostly comes when I get physically tired for any reason or it I try to talk at any length. The best way I can describe it is that it’s a fierce, intense battle on the inside just to try to function normally on the outside.

The stuttering and breathing issues got so bad that I had to cut myself off from talking to anybody but Tammy at home. I haven’t been able to carry on conversations, and it’s been extremely difficult to concentrate so as to get work done or make decisions. It has been very embarrassing publically, very exhausting just to function and overall frustrating.

This is a setback we didn’t see coming, as I was working toward being ready for summer camps after already having to cancel Easter and Spring events. The good news is that during the past week the episodes diminished somewhat in frequency. I still have my good days and bad days, and it’s still around, but at least not every day, 24/7 like it has been.

I still have many follow up appointments and test results in the next few weeks. I am hopeful and prayerful that most of this can get behind me quickly and that I can once again begin concentrating on ministering to kids this summer! Just pray that if it’s God’s will to use me for summer camps and events, that He will get me over this part of my recovery and return my strength, stamina, and sanity! Haha!

I still am determined to do my part to be ready, and will trust God for the results. He’s already helped me come so far in such a short time! So as frustrating as this past month has been, I still know God has been working. The same God who has healed me to this point is the same God who allowed this setback. He’s got a reason. So even though it’s been a struggle lately, and I still have these and other physical issues to deal with, I know God’s got a plan, and it’s all in His hands!

Keep praying! God Bless you all, and I’ll Cya here, there, or in the air!

Uncle Charlie

Update on Uncle Charlie’s Progress
February 16, 2008

Hey Friends and Fans!

I am happy to report to you that recovery and rehab are still going well! We’ve made a lot of progress even since my last update! Here’s a list of things that have taken place since last month and where I am at right now.

1. My leg cast came off the last week in January. After rehab, I am now able to walk on my own and drive on my own! No more wheel chairs and no more walkers! Yea!! I still do therapy on the foot to regain my strength. It will be a bit longer before I can walk without pain and swelling, but at least I am walking!

2. My arm cast came off the first week in February, followed by surgery to remove the pins that were stabilizing my wrist. I have been in rehab for two weeks with the wrist. It sustained pretty severe damage and will take at least 8 weeks of therapy to get it where we need it, but so far everything is coming along. I already have a bit more flexibility, rotation and strength in the wrist! I can hold a guitar pic, which is vital! ?

3. I wasn’t really supposed to, but I took a chance and recorded Made 2 Praise 10 several weeks ago so I wouldn’t fall too far behind! My producer and I were both amazed how God allowed me to sing 7 songs only 8 weeks after nearly losing my life! I got to hear the proof just yesterday, and have to admit I shed a few tears as it hit me what a magnificent miracle this was! So when you hear the songs from M2P 10, you can remember I had 14 broken ribs, other broken bones and was on a lot of pain medicine! Haha! It’s a wonder what we can accomplish when we’re half-looped! Haha! ? Seriously, praise God for that victory!

4. The 14 broken ribs and broken sternum have healed enough to where I can finally get some regular treatments from my chiropractor. He had to wait 12 weeks to give proper time for the ribs to heal. I have many, many skeletal issues, but at least now we can begin to tend to them!

As you can see, great things have taken place! It’s such a miracle I have come this far in such a short time! Having said that, I still have the rest of the spring to go before I am where they want me to me in order to be able to perform again. I am still dealing with internal issues, brain trauma, major loss of stamina and energy, and of course all the therapy that needs to take place. As a result, I had to let go of a three day tour we had previously scheduled in Georgia on Easter weekend. That was my goal, to be able to make that tour. But we just had to reset our goals to be a bit more realistic and reachable. Our new goal is to be back touring by mid-May. God willing, we will be back at full strength before summer and will be ready to go full guns for camps! Can’t wait!!

Just so you can see exactly what the Lord delivered me from, I have attached the following link that will take you to the pictures that the Highway Patrol sent to me of the aftermath of the accident. You won’t believe, as I didn’t, that I could come out of there alive! It really brings home the magnitude of this miracle! (I omitted pictures that were a little too graphic in case children see these). I was in the larger SUV, the Chevy Trailblazer. Both cars were doing 65mph at impact. No brakes and no skid marks. No one knows the reason why they suddenly got into my lane and hit me head on. I never saw it happen, but God did, and He protected me for sure! Here’s the link: http://picasaweb.google.com/ubministries/CharlieSAccidentViewerVersion.

I show you these pictures so you can rejoice with me that we serve an AWESOME God, Who only by His grace and His miraculous power got me out of there alive! Not only is it a miracle that I am breathing, but it’s another miracle that I am healing so quickly! I guess God must have a little more for Uncle Charlie to do before it’s my time! God is good, and His power is awesome!

I hope this last update encourages you, my friends! As long as I continue to improve there will be no need for me to have these sent any longer. We can hopefully begin to go back to my regular ministry updates next month!

Be encouraged that God’s power is incredible! I am living proof!
Be encouraged that He does answer prayer! I am living proof!
Be encouraged that your prayers, emails, cards, letters, and concern do make a difference! My rapid recovery is living proof!

Thank you, all of you!
My word of encouragement to you is to always do your best to keep an excellent attitude, no matter what comes your way. Next to the power of prayer and the encouragement I got from folks like you, I really do believe that keeping a positive spirit contributed to me getting to where I currently am so quickly. Not only is it good physical and emotional therapy, but it is a tremendous witness to those around you! Psalm 126:2 reads: “Then our mouth was filled with laughter. And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them’”. That’s what I hope I was able to bring to the table through this crisis – that I was so full of joy and gratitude for just being alive that it was contagious! I want people to be able to look at my life through good and bad and say “The Lord has done great things for that guy”! I pray the same holds true for you in the good times and the not so good times in your lives!
Can’t wait to be back on the road in mid-May! If you are looking for a kids or family event that will be uplifting, energetic, joyous, and that will point the way to Jesus, then we are ready to help! My tour coordinator, Sharon Cox at For His Kidz, will be happy to work with you to set that up, so give her a call! 1-866-774-7469 or e-mail her.

Take care, God bless, and we’ll Cya here, there, or in the air!
Uncle Charlie
Aka: (M&M…..miracle man!)

Update on Uncle Charlie's Progress
January 22, 2008

Greetings to all my friends, fans and prayer warriors!

It's good to be alive! I honestly can't believe I am here typing this update on my own, considering what happened exactly 2 months ago! The fact that I am breathing is a miracle, let alone sitting up and typing! (Although be it mostly left handed and not very fast! Haha!)

As most of you know, I was hit head on by another vehicle on a highway in Oklahoma in route to our next concert at Mt. Lebanon Camp in Texas. Although I never saw what happened (thank God!), the police report stated that both vehicles were going 65 mph, and that for some unknown reason the other vehicle ended up in my lane and hit me head on as I was coming over a hill. There were no brake marks or skid marks indicating a slow down, so the impact was at 100% speed. The two people in the other vehicle lost their lives immediately. I am still amazed that the good Lord allowed me to survive that kind of an impact. The Highway Patrolman working the accident told us recently that in cases he has seen, that no one has survived head on collisions at 35mph!
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Frankly, from a logical perspective, I should not have survived. But it's a good thing that God is not in to logic! In His infinite wisdom and overall providence, He knew it wasn't my time and that He has much more in store for Uncle Charlie! So first of all, I am grateful that my life was spared. Secondly, I am anxious to discover His divine purpose in all of this and to start walking in His perfect plan He has ordained for me! I want the second half of my life to be even more significant than the first half!

My Present Condition
Here's where I am physically right now. I took myself off of prescription pain medication about three weeks ago because the effects were, let's just say, "messing with my mind and body"! Those of you who tried to talk to me during that first month or so after the accident know exactly what I'm saying!
So now I am in a transitional state with the meds/pain issue……the up side is that my sanity has somewhat returned (some would question I ever had any to start with! Ha!) and I can actually carry on a decent conversation and concentrate a little longer. The down side is that now I realize just how painful this ordeal really is. I feel pain in places I didn't know existed! Haha! But Excedrin has become one of my best friends every 6 hours and for the most part it seems to temper the degree of pain, as long as I don't skip any doses!

So all in all, it's not unbearable and I'm just taking one day at a time, dealing with the physical issues that arise as best I can when they come. I am still nursing 14 broken ribs, a broken sternum, a broken right leg and a broken right wrist, along with a lot of messed up stuff inside. But even with all that being said, it's pretty incredible that my body has come this far in such a short time! God is good!
My wife Tammy has been a wonderful help to me as she tends to my every need while trying to balance work, home duties and all the insurance issues, etc. that arise from the accident. She has been my steady rock through this process and I am very glad God provided a way for me to be with her at home here in Tampa after a long stay in Oklahoma.

Therapy in the Days Ahead
I am scheduled for an Orthro Doctor's appointment on Jan 22. From there they will decide when to remove my casts from my right arm and leg. They will also have to surgically remove the pins that have been stabilizing my right wrist. From that point I will go to therapy in order for my right arm/wrist to function properly. The short of it is that my wrist got really messed up and it affects my hand and fingers. It could take weeks, even months of therapy to remedy the issues. (I am praying for just weeks!) The word is that although I may never be back at 100% that I will have eventually healed enough that there should be no reason that I can't be back out there performing and ministering to kids and families again! Can't wait for that to happen!

Future Ministry and Touring Plans
Yes, I am excited about touring again in the future! God has provided me with two new wonderful 20 year old girls from Texas who are committed to taking our performances to the next level! I am very excited about these girls and what they have to offer! There is also the possibility of adding a third girl the same age from Indiana. All three girls have a tremendous heart for children, desire to be in full time ministry, and are talented in so many areas that I am not.
They can add so much on and off the stage!

So right now we want everybody to know that we are re-opening our calendars for our "Life is Good" tour stops to any church who wants us from the end of March until early June. Easter weekend is our first scheduled weekend back on the road. We also have 1-2 weeks open in the summer for kids camps or other venues. We are also available to come and train your volunteers how to lead kids worship – maybe even combine that effort with a family praise rally so they can see how it's done!
We have some openings for events in September and October, and then we would like to work our way in to full time community family concert venues beginning in November 2008.
Should any of you be interested in any of the above ministry venues, contact our tour coordinator, Sharon Cox, at For His Kidz at 1-866-774-7469 or click here to e-mail her.
In the mean time, yes, we are still planning on continuing our Made 2 Praise worship tools! Volume 10 is targeted to be out in late February, and Volume 11 is due before summer. These worship tools will continue to be a vital part of our ministry.
So even though things aren't moving very fast right now, the wheels are turning and it won't be long till we are back in the swing of things!

Thank You!
I want to take a moment to personally thank all of you who have taken the time to pray for me and my family, and have given the effort to show your support by writing me, emailing me, calling me, and sending love offerings to help us through this time of crisis and uncertainty. We have had an absolutely incredible outpouring of love and concern, and we are humbled and grateful for every gesture of love and support.
It's absolutely mind boggling to stop and realize how many people have touched us in one way of the other by their show of support! I am blown away at the mere number of letters, cards, emails and calls we have gotten over the past few months. You should see the HUGE container of cards and letters I have saved from friends, from children's ministers all over the country and overseas, (many of whom never have met me but use my tools in their children's ministries!) and from countless children belonging to various children's church groups across the country! I have read and am still reading each and every piece of mail, and I've got to tell you it has really been a great source of encouragement to me!
So many of you have wished me well and have taken the time to express just how much our ministry, our music and our tools have meant to you. It helps me realize what an impact God has allowed this ministry to have in so many people's lives! What a humbling thought, and what motivation to continue pressing on!

Thank you for encouraging me. Due to my circumstances it has been virtually impossible for me to respond to so many people, but Tammy and I do want all of you to know how appreciative we are for everything you have done! I thank God daily for surrounding me with such genuine Christian love!
I look forward to the day that my new Praise Team and I can once again serve our Lord and serve you by helping you and your leaders and/or by ministering to your kids and families! Let us know how we can help!

God Bless, and we'll Cya here, there, or in the air!
Uncle Charlie

Update on Uncle Charlie's Condition
December 14, 2007

a. His complete recovery in God's time.
b. That his pain level without meds will begin to decrease more and more.
c. That he will once again be able to do what he loves best – minister to children through music, teach others to use his tools, and mentor others for ministry.
d. That Charlie will find and pursue God's perfect plan for his future.
e. That God will provide all financial needs for family, ministry, medical expenses, and other expenses that will occur between now and March in the midst of losing his income that would normally come through touring.
f. For his wife Tammy as she tries to balance working full time with giving Charlie the proper care he needs. Also for her endurance as the process of taking care of Charlie, taking care of insurance and financial issues, etc. can be very tiresome physically and emotionally.
g. That God would supply wisdom and grace to Uncle Charlie and Tammy as they have lots of decisions to make in the days ahead.

Update on Uncle Charlie's Condition
November 26, 2007

Hello friends, fans, and loyal customers. As many of you heard through other sources, it is true that Uncle Charlie was involved in a very serious car accident in Oklahoma on Thursday, Nov 15th, just a day before what was suppose to be his final concert with Rachel.

We wanted to give you an update on Uncle Charlie's accident and condition because we have had an extraordinary amount of concerned fans and friends asking what happened and if he is OK.

Uncle Charlie had just finished his annual board meeting and was on his way to see a few friends before heading to Camp Lebanon to prepare for the concert. He was on a highway within 3 miles of his destination going the speed limit at 65 mph. He came over a hill where apparently another driver was passing another vehicle and had accidentally ended up right in Charlie's lane. The result was a terrible high speed head on collision where the other driver and passenger unfortunately immediately lost their lives on the scene.

Uncle Charlie , by God's grace, somehow managed to survive the accident. He was driving alone at the time. All involved in the rescue and recovery agree it was a true miracle that Charlie survived. It took rescue workers over an hour to release Charlie from the vehicle. They said if Uncle Charlie was driving anything less than an SUV at the time, or had he not worn his seatbelts; or because of the nature of how his body was entrapped in the wreckage, if he had been any bigger or taller in stature, he would not have survived. God was truly protecting Uncle Charlie!

Uncle Charlie 's current condition has improved since that day but he is just in the beginning stages of a long, hard process ahead. . He ended up with 14 broken ribs, a broken sternum, multiple compound fractures on his right arm and wrist, a broken ankle, lacerated liver and kidneys, and lots of internal damage to his intestines, etc.

But even with all that, we believe Uncle Charlie has survived the critical days and that better days are ahead for him. This is obviously going to be a slow recovery and will no doubt set back his recording and touring schedule – but the main thing is that Charlie has kept a strong faith and positive attitude and will definitely overcome this with God's help.

He is currently being released from the OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City and will begin his recovery with family members in OK until he gets medical permission to go back to FL to finish his recovery. Even though Charlie's spirits are high and his faith is strong, he is in an extreme amount of pain and is very weak physically. Talking and breathing are very difficult for him right now, but will get better with time.

More than anything, Uncle Charlie would appreciate your prayers on his behalf, and for his wife Tammy back in FL. She flies back and forth to see Charlie as her work schedule allows, but obviously prays Charlie can come home sooner than later.

If any of you wish to drop Charlie a note or an email, we are sure that would make his day. We have already received an extraordinary outpouring of notes, emails and letters from concerned friends, and Charlie takes the time to read every one of them. Click here to send him an e-mail. Notes can be sent to

Charlie Bancroft
Upward Bound Ministries
4729 S.E. Sunnymeade Dr .
Lawton , OK 73501

Thank all of you for your love and support of Uncle Charlie and his ministry to kids and big kids at heart! We will keep you posted as to Charlie's progress.
God Bless you all!
Upward Bound Ministries Staff