Faith in the Face of Tragedy

It started out as any other morning in Bangalore. I was the first of my team awake. I worked out, showered, had some “Jesus time” and got ready for the day. We knew that we would be going to the rehab center to spend time with the men there. We didn’t know exactly what we would be doing but it was exciting that we would be doing a different type of ministry.
When we arrived at the rehab center we were greeted by some of the staff. We went into the room where the men were working and sat down to wait to be informed of our task for the morning. Once we were all seated around in a circle (us, the staff and the men) we began. We sang some worship songs, did a devotion and then asked for prayer requests. It was then that one of the staff informed us that there had been an accident that morning involving a couple of our World Race Teams and YWAM. Hearing those words, my heart dropped. I couldn’t breathe for a minute and my heart skipped a beat. There was no way that this information could be true. How could some of our squad mates be in trouble? We asked if there had been any injuries. The answer? Yes. Although they did not have specific names they knew that some females and a male form World Race had been injured and someone from YWAM. Not knowing who was hurt or the extent of the injuries was awful. I felt so helpless. I had no useful information and didn’t know where to turn. Of course, we were in the perfect place. We find out about the accident as we are about to pray. Coincidence? Of course not! That was God’s divine timing. Our host, Morong, was so concerned. He started asking questions to find out more as soon as we were finished and out of the room. He wanted to know where he could get information. He decided then and there that we would go back to our house and he would come with us. On the way back to the house we pray. As soon as we are in the house, Morong calls his wife. Within minutes she is at the house with the Pastor. They call her relative who has connections with YWAM to find out more specifics for us. As we are waiting, Morong prays. Sendmi prays. Pastor prays. Our team and our squad mates are covered in prayer before they even realize that we know about the accident, before we even know their names. Their concern and love is beautiful. It’s comforting, peaceful, raw. It’s shining God’s love. It’s a pure picture of Jesus. Thankfully, we finally found out more details. Teresa, Kate and Vanessa are the injured ones. Kate has her neck injured, Teresa has some cuts and a concussion, and Vanessa can’t feel her legs. We ae all in shock.
Morong tells us that we can take the afternoon and to come back to the house at 4. Sendmi and Morong tell us that they will bring us our lunch to our house so that we do not have to leave. When they come back they have food that had been cooked early, plus pizza, chicken, pasta and drinks for us. They graciously serve us and make sure that we are comfortable and are not in need of anything.
We spend some time that afternoon doing the only thing we can do…pray. But later in the afternoon was the moment I will never forget. As we were making cards with the children we see Dustin Mick and William approaching. At first, I was excited but when I saw the look on their faces, I knew this was a serious visit. After they talk to Bailey, she tells us we need to come to the kitchen to talk. NOTHING could have prepared me for the words that came out of Dustin Mick’s mouth that day. As he told us the extent of the injuries my heart broke. Knowing that my beautiful squad mates were injured was more then I could handle. Teresa had scratches and cuts and a concussion. Chance had minor injuries. Kate had a fracture in the vertebra in her neck. But Vanessa…hearing that her spin was broken was the hardest thing I’ve ever heard. My head and heart were screaming at God. Why? How? All around me I see the looks on my team mates faces. We are all broken by this.
After talking for a little while about the situation, Dustin Mick and William have to leave. Before they do they give each of us a hug. It was the most comforting thing. I already know that we are going to love each other through all this. God will work it for His good.
We spend the rest of the afternoon praying and having quiet time. There is no other way to handle what has happened but by turning to God.
And turning to God is what we fervently did. We congregated at one of our houses and spent the night praying and worshiping. There is power in coming to God as group and that is exactly what we did. We came together as one to bring our team mates before the Lord. Those who had been injured in the accident and the ones who had experienced and seen it. We prayed with authority and passion. We sang like I’ve never heard our squad sing before.

It’s now been 2 weeks since the accident. We have had a miracle on our squad. After seeing pictures of the vehicle they were in, I realize that it is a miracle that they are alive. God saved them that day. Teresa is healed expect for a few stitches in her finger. Chance is feeling well. Kate’s neck injury is feeling better everyday and she is getting back to doing things on her own. And Vanessa. Well, she still has a ton of healing to do but God is working a miracle in her. After having surgery to fix her spine she has moved her toes, felt pressure on her legs and now has even sat up in a wheelchair! She says that she WILL walk again! She will be going home to the US but she has not left the Race. She is here in our thoughts each day. I believe that God will fully heal her and use her story in so many powerful ways. We won’t see it yet but He will use this accident for His glory.
We don’t always know or understand the reason behind the things that happen in our lives. But we have to trust that God is good. He is a good, good Father. He has a purpose for every event and situation. I’m trusting that EVERYONE member of P Squad will grow so close to God through these events but also that we will grow closer together as well.

Please continue to pray for P Squad and especially healing for Vanessa.