Drowning Man Says A Prayer And God Responds By Sending A Special Angel
April 03, 2018
After his boat capsized, Mason Ringer did his best to swim back to shore. But he was up against wind gusts, hypothermia, and a strong current. Giving up, he said a prayer and God sent a special angel just in time in this real news story about a river rescue miracle!
Mason Ringer of South Carolina was part of a crew hired to refurbish a decrepit dock. On their lunch break, he and two other co-workers decided to take a boat out on the Okatie River, where they were working. It was a rather windy day, and when one man tried standing up in the boat, the whole thing capsized.
RELATED: Family Dog’s Non-Stop Barking Leads To Scary Discovery At Water’s Edge
Mason and his friends plunged into the frigid 58-degree waters, beginning each man's fight for life. Between the chilly water, strong current and forceful winds, making it back to shore alive would take a miracle. But this real news story just goes to show God is still very much at work!
Real News Story About A River Rescue -- Divine Timing
One man managed to swim across the river and walk to a nearby road. There, a Good Samaritan picked him up and got him help.
The other man fought hard against the current but eventually wound up stuck in the marsh near a nature trail. A woman thought she heard screams and reported it to the community's security office. Jason DuBose was sent to investigate and couldn't believe his eyes.
"We found a guy stuck up to his waist in pluff mud," Jason said. "He had hypothermia. He was out of it, stuttering, disoriented ... speaking gibberish."
Tim Helm, a Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard veteran, was on the boat assisting Jason in the rescue. He helped pull the man from the marsh and feels finding him was a case of divine timing.
"I wrapped him in my coat and bear-hugged him," Tim recalled. "I told him, 'Man, this is a God-thing, dude — you would have been dead in 30 minutes.'"
Meanwhile, God was intervening in a special way for Mason!
Real News Story About A River Rescue -- An Answered Prayer
Mason swam as hard as he could, trying to get back to the dock. He fought against the strong current and gusts of wind up to 30 m.p.h. He even stripped off his sweatshirt and shoes that were weighing him down. But the cold water caused his muscles to seize and cramp. After an hour of battling the icy water, Mason was completely spent.
"I rolled over on my back and I closed my eyes and said a prayer to God asking him to help me somehow," Mason recalls.
RELATED: An Answered Prayer And Special Angel Saves Mom And Baby
And God answered in a very unexpected way!
[caption id="attachment_51204" align="alignnone" width="750"] Credit: Atkinson family via The Island Packet[/caption]Soon after finishing his prayer, Mason heard a bark. Next, he saw Woody, a yellow Labrador, swimming his way.
"When I saw the dog was coming in, I was skeptical thinking I am going to drown this dog while he was trying to save me," Mason says.
Mason held on to Woody's tail as the dog paddled back toward the dock. But he wound up losing his grip on the pup's tail. But Woody wasn't giving up!
RELATED: Heroic Dog Risks His Own Life To Drag Woman Out Of Blazing House Fire
He paddled back to Mason, waiting for him to grab his collar. Then, the heroic dog took him back to the shore.
"It was almost effortless for him to pull me in," Mason explained.
By then, Jason DuBose had made his way to the area to see if anyone else needed rescue. But Woody had already saved the day!
"That dog was sticking to him like glue," Jason said, recalling what he saw when he first arrived at the dock.
Real News Story About A River Rescue -- Divine Appointment
[caption id="attachment_51207" align="alignnone" width="750"] Credit: Drew Martin/The Island Packet[/caption]Woody was able to get to Mason before any other rescue crews arrived. And there's no telling what would have happened to Mason had the brave dog not been there. That alone was another miracle.
Woody's family lives Savannah. But his humans happened to be visiting family land in the Okatie area. The 7-year-old yellow Labrador was out getting some exercise, and that's when he came to Mason's rescue. Thanks to this furry guardian angel, Mason made it home to his family that night.
"I went home and kissed my babies," he said. "I was definitely overwhelmed with joy."
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 13 Real News Stories That Show God At Work In The World
All three men survived the ordeal, something first responders say is miraculous. And Mason promised to treat his furry hero to a "big ol' steak." But Woody just seems satisfied to know his new pal is safe and sound.
"He was staying close to me for a little while," Mason says about seeing Woody the next day.
WATCH: Mason Recalls His Miraculous River Rescue
God can use anyone and anything to do His work. And this real news story about a river rescue just goes to show miracles still exist today!
h/t: Inside Edition
Featured Image Credit: nikko macaspac on Unsplash
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Past Stories
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
- Rock Singer's Powerful Rendition of 'I Will Always Love You'
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Mandisa Mandisa - Shackles (Praise You)
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.