TAMPA FL -- Prayers are pouring in for a high school senior who was brutally beaten and raped outside the Bloomingdale Regional Library last April. ABC Action News was invited for an intimate service at the teens home. Family, close friends and pastors from around the Tampa Bay area rallied around this teen offering hope.
Pastor Jim Livingston heard about the family's ordeal and has helped since the beginning.
"A time that first cost me when I walked in the room it took about 30 minute to quench and stop the tears but they have begun to walk with Christ."
The young girl, who we are not identifying, was attacked just two days after her 18th birthday. She was trying to avoid late fees by dropping off a library book and by doing the right thing, something so wrong happened when some one jumped her in the parking lot.
The teen was headed to the University of Florida on a full scholarship. Life is now dramatically different, her parents, no longer work so they can take care of her. Her sister who we are also not identifying says these offerings have made a huge difference.
"She could not close her eyes on command and now when we pray she closes her eyes and when we are done she opens them and she absolutely loves it."
She added the pastors who rallied around her sister even made CD's of their sermons meant just for her.
"She listens to them in bed and she loves them, it is an encouragement and it helps her get better."
Even one of her doctors who attended the service, said he sees signs of improvement.
"We do what we can do is our flesh body but by all means we must turn it over to the Master Physician Jesus Christ himself--my prayer is that happens and we get complete healing."
The teen still can't walk on her own, but her family says she is uttering a few words and 20 percent of her vision is back. They are confident it is just the beginning.
"For most people in an event like this most people turn to God or they run away, we turn to Him. We know she is going to fully recover she is incredibly strong".
Since we started sharing this teens struggles in a series of special reports, there has been an outpouring of support. Fundraisers are still being planned to help this victim. The family thanks everyone who has contributed and especially thanks the community for their prayers.
If you would like to help, donations are being accepted at all Suntrust banks. Please mark the donation to the victim of the Bloomingdale Library Fund.
Pastor David Kniss, who met the family while the teen was at a Sarasota Rehab said, "We pray for emotional healing we pray for healing of hurts and anger."
