Losing legs to mine delivered Marine to evangelical life

Tim Lee wants to return to Vietnam this year to continue his ministry with a loving heart.

By GAIL HOLLENBECK, Times Correspondent
Published January 12, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT Tim Lee, a preacher's son and rebellious youth, says, "God had taken my legs that had carried me from his will." [Special to the Times]

SPRING HILL - It took losing his legs to a land mine in 1971 in the Quang Nam province of Vietnam to get Tim Lee to finally answer God's call on his life.

Lee, a former Marine Corps sergeant and Purple Heart recipient from the Vietnam War, was reared the son of a Baptist preacher. When he was born in 1950, John and Wanda Lee gave their son to God for the gospel ministry.

But Lee had other ideas.

Despite a conversion experience at age 10, Lee rebelled against an upbringing that he felt was too strict. As a teenager, sports and the wrong kind of friends dominated his life. Headed for trouble, in 1969 he decided to join the Marines.

"It was the smartest thing I ever did," Lee said.

After his training, Lee received orders to serve in southeast Asia. According to Lee, it was two years later while on a mine sweep patrol along an abandoned grassy trail that he "was apprehended by the hand of God."

Lee tells the story in his published testimony, Deadline: Vietnam, The Day My Running Stopped.

"My boot landed squarely on what felt like a miniature volcano," Lee writes. "A deafening blast rammed through my body. As a cloud of black smoke shot into the sky, hot fire surged through what remained of my legs."

Shrapnel injured Lee's forearms and the sides of his forehead, bending his helmet flap into a straight-up position. His M-16 assault rifle was blown in half. He faded in and out of consciousness.

Through the turmoil, Lee was aware of his friend, Cpl. Lee Gore, holding him and praying for him while a corpsman worked on his wounds.

Lee prayed, too.

"In a weak, barely audible voice I prayed, 'Oh no, God, not my legs. Lord, please. God, get me home to Mom and Dad. I'll do whatever you want me to do.' Then, total blackness. I went out."

Lee said he was fortunate to be alive.

"I've seen Marines step on the same-size mine and we'd take a piece no bigger than your fist and put them in a green plastic bag and ship them home to their parents. So I knew I was fortunate."

A chopper rescued the severely injured Lee. Eventually, he was taken to Philadelphia Naval Hospital, where he spent eight months and had 13 major operations.

"When the doctors put their knives away, 3 inches remained on my right leg, 11 inches on my left leg. God had taken my legs that had carried me from his will. My running had finally ended."

Now 57, Lee - a husband, father and grandfather - goes around the country speaking about his experiences and inspiring people to walk closer with God. He has appeared on platforms with such notable preachers as Billy Graham, Lee Roberson, Adrian Rogers and Jerry Falwell.

This year, he plans to return to Vietnam.

"It's something I've wanted to do," Lee said. "Ollie North invited me to go back with him a few years ago, but I was unable to go because of scheduling. I love the Vietnamese people. I have no bitterness, no anger toward the Vietnamese, North or South. I think it would be good and a healthy thing for me and an opportunity to see if some doors open there."

It's because of his injuries, Lee said, that so many doors have opened for him to minister.

"I went to Camp Lejeune and spoke for three days, five and six times to Marines," he said. "They probably would not have invited me if I had not paid such a great price and sacrificed my legs for my country. Doors like that have opened repeatedly. I'm starting this week in my 30th year in full-time evangelism. I've had more opportunities than most preachers would hope to have in a lifetime. And I want to use them."

If you go

Lee appearances

Spring Hill Baptist Church, 3140 Mariner Blvd., will welcome evangelist Tim Lee for a series of services Sunday through Wednesday. Sunday services will be at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Weeknight services will be at 7. An offering will be taken. Call 683-5685. To learn more about Tim Lee Ministries or to hear his audio testimony, visit www.timlee.org.

[Last modified January 11, 2008, 20:39:42]