Eleven Kids and A Second Dad Spared
Written By: Jerry Pattengale, ‘79
As I entered the packed United Nations room something seemed odd—an Asian contingent in masks. As I began to speak on “How to protect religious places, ”their masks were still on. Afterward, ambassadors and delegates filed out, and so did the masked group, but at a distance.
Later that day, February 14, 2020, I listened to a revealing exchange involving national reporters and my guest, entrepreneur Scott Pyle. Journalists in the Associated Press’s offices had little news for him from Wuhan, China. That same day, another friend was also being introduced to Wuhan. David Henry stayed home from teaching his fourth graders in Sweetser, Indiana, thinking he had the flu. It was an annual health battle as a public school teacher, accented with 11 of his own kids at home (8 adopted or foster).
This was exactly 30 days before experts declared COVID-19 a pandemic in the U.S. This was also his 48th birthday.
Little did David know the virus had silently traveled over 7,300 miles to reach his life and rock his world. His journey would captivate thousands through TV and social media coverage.
In New York City, Scott had a heads up, and within minutes was on the phone from NYC with his employees, switching hundreds of clients’ investments to a 30% cash-positive position. His gut was telling him a pandemic was brewing and if NYC wasn’t ready, the nation’s markets weren’t.
In Marion, Indiana, David had no warning, yet his life’s most important investments were already locked—he had put them all with God and only his Sovereign could save him. His fervent prayer was that God would spare his adopted kids from losing a second dad. From losing the security to thrive amidst unconditional love. To keep joy in their journeys, unabated by change of the tallest order.
Both men made great visceral decisions. Scott saved people millions. David slipped into delirium knowing his soul was saved. Both made informed decisions. Scott loses sleep while studying news from remote markets. David, a 1994 IWU alumnus and long-term member at Brookhaven Wesleyan Church, knows well the history, narrative, and impact of the Gospel. Along with his wife, Michele (’96), they both earned MED degrees from IWU (‘02), and Michele a Wesley Seminary degree in 2012.
They know well biblical truths that transform, and had moved their family into Marion’s city center to be “salt and light.” Child Services informed them their old sprawling, 4,000 plus square foot home qualifies them to take in another ten kids—up to 21! David shared that it’s indeed big, but “messy, lived-in, and beaten up... When you take in broken kids they tend to break things.” David almost never returned to their ministry manse.
He was on the brink of death. Physicians eventually informed Michele he wouldn’t be coming home. That is, except for a miracle. During 40 days and nights in the hospital, sedated and on a ventilator for 28 of them, that miracle took place. He awoke on Easter!
David finally emerged from the hospital in a wheelchair with arms up like Rocky Balboa. He had arisen from death’s door after being COVID delusional. The delusions seemed real, and he can still recount them in detail. Perhaps the most bizarre was sneaking across the DMZ zone in his hospital gown and witnessing to Kim Jong-un’s sister while she was fishing. “I had to keep my back to buildings to keep from being exposed.”
In another, he was captured in Jamaica and tortured. He can also recall helping missionaries establish their home in China, and the most surrealistic—attending his own funeral. Some friends call COVID his (mental) “mission trip.”
And, he’s indeed very much alive—living more abundantly than he or Michele ever thought possible. David realizes it was “a forced public snapshot of our private personal service to kids.” From parades of cars to crowds welcoming him, his story became his students’, his church’s, his county’s, and then people’s around the world.
Due to their hectic schedules, I interviewed Michele and David separately. The mutual love came through, and during both sessions tears rolled—from them and me. The intensity of their experience, their love as a couple, commitment as parents, and unabashed and profound faith was magnetic. And, moving.
I could envision Michele, a part-time voice instructor atop full-time work and parenting, listening to music that helped pull her through: “Way Maker, Sea of Victory, Peace Be Still, The Blessing, and anything Natalie Grant and Lauren Daigle.”
On February 14th while David fell ill, we were discussing at the United Nation show to protect religious places from ISIS. When he awoke, America was discussing how to protect the church from Antifa and ourselves. On that same day, Scott, who is also a strong Christian, was busy protecting financial investments from a possible virus attack. When David awoke, violence and vigilantes were attacking financial interests.
But next February 14th, and for the rest of David’s birthdays, he and Michele will still be convinced that God is in control, and that the body of Christ is central to his plan. Through an emotional part of her interview and in tremoring voice, she shared, “I told our children—Don’t ever tell me again that you feel alone, or that nobody loves you or us, after seeing this outpouring of love. This is who loves us. This is who cares for us.” It is likely of little surprise she does well at her job—“Pastor to Families and Children.”
David shared, “Today, one of my fourth-graders quoted me from one of my TV interviews. He’s giving my words back tome. I don’t think I’ll ever doubt my worth or ability to contribute.”
