matt kutilek

For any of my Wichita readers, specifically anyone who went to Trinity, I wanted to post an update on Matt Kutilek.

Last September, he was deployed as a Company Commander with the Marines to Afghanistan.

On March 4, he was leading his men around a corner during a firefight when he was shot in the leg by the enemy. The injury broke his tibia, severed an artery and caused extensive muscular and vascular damage. He lost a great amount of blood, but due to God's grace and the heroic efforts of his fellow Marines, his life was spared. He was medevaced to a field hospital for surgery, and went on to two more surgeries in Afghanistan, where he received nine units of blood and eight units of plasma. On March 12, he was flown to the United States and is now in a hospital in Maryland.

His caring bridge site states that Matt is very upset to be leaving his Marines behind.

He and his family are requesting prayer for the following:

- For Matt's wife, Andrea, is pregnant with their third daughter and due in May. They have two young daughters.

- For his foot to be spared.

- For our military that is involved in combat in Afghanistan, specifically for the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines and for their new company Commander who will replace Matt.

- Safe trips for our friends and family traveling to visit him.

- Wisdom for the doctors and nurses who are treating him.

An update that was posted on his site afternoon says that he had a fairly extensive surgery this morning. Although he has only one artery remaining in his leg, his arterial system is already working to form new collateral. The doctors are very hopeful that his foot will be spared! Praise the Lord!