Tuesday, February 5, 2008

prayer & grief

Sunday evening we arrived back at the MTI training center after a wonderful trip to Santa Fe to meet dear friends. We were severely blind-sided by tragic news- earlier in the day six of our classmates were in a horrific car accident as they drove from Palmer Lake to Golden to hear Philip Yancey speak.

We soon learned that two beautiful women, 42 year old Karin Jordaan from Pretoria, South Africa, and 21 year old Jessica Pety from Duluth, Georgia, died on the scene of the accident. The others, Scott (29), his wife Andrea (28), their 18 month old son Isaac, and Em (24) were all rushed to area hospitals. On Monday morning, Isaac also went home to be with the Lord.

Andrea has multiple injuries, including a broken clavicle, a broken jawbone, two fractured vertebrae, two broken arms, a broken ankle, a broken leg and some internal injuries. She has undergone multiple lengthy surgeries and had a plate placed between her C7 and T1 vertebrae this morning. More surguries await her in the coming days. Her vital signs are strong, and the doctors are encouraged by her continued recovery.Scott has a torn rotator cuff and was transfered out of the critical care unit into a hospital room this morning.

Em also underwent surgery to repair fractured vertebrae. She is now breathing on her own and is recovering as well.

As you can imagine, this has impacted our community here at MTI in many ways. Although we only knew these friends for 2 weeks, we quickly grew to love them as we were all on the same journey and shared a common call and passion for missions. Our hearts are heavy. We miss them, and we wish they were here with us. The staff here at MTI has done an incredible job of allowing us to process the tragedy, grieve the losses, and rejoice that Karin, Jessica, and Isaac are now in GLORY with their Savior. What a roller coaster ride it has been. But, it has been such a life-giving experience to walk through this with such a loving community.

Please, please, please pray for the continued healing and protection of Em, Andrea, and Scott. Pray for Scott and Andrea as they grieve the loss of their only son. Pray for the families and friends of Karin, Jessica, and Isaac. And, pray for us as a community walking through this time of great sadness.

Jessica
Karin



Isaac

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have finally found this post! My heart and prayers have been with you both each and every moment of the day...loving you across the miles. Throughout this week I have felt so grateful and sad at the same time; grateful that you are alive and well, and so sad for the tragic loss to the families involved. How blessed the community has been to be able to support and love on another throughout this entire tragedy. The Lord has certainly bound you together for ever! I love you so very much and pray for your "journeying mercies". My love and prayers are with you always, DD Mom

kent sterchi said...

loo and el, we have joined in the chorus of prayers being lifted up for the families and friends that have lost their loved ones. and for your friends, andrea,scott and emily..praying for their restored health. also, of course we have been praying for you two and the community you walk with through the valley of the shadow of death, knowing the Lord is there with you...we pray the remaining time w you have at mti will further develop your hearts for God as you continue to prepare for the mission God has for you two in the dominican...we love and miss you so, pops and momma

Sally said...

Elliot & Linsey, We just learned tonight at class about this tragedy. You were in our prayers as we opened it up for prayer. I remember your class on faithfulness and the story of your young friend who was killed in the auto accident before. God has given you insight into this time and we pray that you are able to stand firm in His faithfulness as His mercy and comfort surround His beloved. We miss you and love you much. Kim & Sally