Missionaries almost unhurt in crash
One day last week, missionary Steve Bastow was sitting at his computer, thinking about what he could write to his prayer supporters, when the telephone rang. It was an urgent call for help from missionaries involved in an automobile accident.
The missionary’s voice was weak, and she didn’t stay on the phone long. Steve and his wife, Jessica, hurried to their car to go help.
"Our co-worker had been traveling most of the day with a couple of young Brazilian missionaries located in this area," Steve wrote. "Since the accident was only about four miles from us we were able to get there very quickly."
The missionaries had gotten within sight of a town in Senegal and were descending a long, gentle hill. While steering into a curve, the driver was surprised when she felt no response in the steering. The car went out of control and rolled over.
"Even though the car was very badly damaged we praise God that none of the three of them were seriously injured," Steve wrote.
The three missionaries crawled out of the overturned car and brushed themselves off, suffering only some bumps, bruises and scrapes.
The car stayed on the pavement. If it had gone off one side of the road they would have tumbled down a steep embankment.
"Luggage and supplies had the appearance of being through a big blender," Steve wrote. "What a mess! The vehicle? Well, only serious repair work will ever make it roadworthy again.
When the police and rescue officers arrived a group of onlookers rolled the car back onto its wheels. After unloading the scrambled luggage from the vehicle the Bastows transported the family home, with the damaged car in tow.
Later, Steve discovered that a missing bolt in the front suspension probably caused the accident.
"What a wonderful privilege to be able to assist our missionary friends in their time of trouble," Steve wrote. "It’s neat to be here to serve our co-workers in whatever way they need assistance."
The missionary’s voice was weak, and she didn’t stay on the phone long. Steve and his wife, Jessica, hurried to their car to go help.
"Our co-worker had been traveling most of the day with a couple of young Brazilian missionaries located in this area," Steve wrote. "Since the accident was only about four miles from us we were able to get there very quickly."
The missionaries had gotten within sight of a town in Senegal and were descending a long, gentle hill. While steering into a curve, the driver was surprised when she felt no response in the steering. The car went out of control and rolled over.
"Even though the car was very badly damaged we praise God that none of the three of them were seriously injured," Steve wrote.
The three missionaries crawled out of the overturned car and brushed themselves off, suffering only some bumps, bruises and scrapes.
The car stayed on the pavement. If it had gone off one side of the road they would have tumbled down a steep embankment.
"Luggage and supplies had the appearance of being through a big blender," Steve wrote. "What a mess! The vehicle? Well, only serious repair work will ever make it roadworthy again.
When the police and rescue officers arrived a group of onlookers rolled the car back onto its wheels. After unloading the scrambled luggage from the vehicle the Bastows transported the family home, with the damaged car in tow.
Later, Steve discovered that a missing bolt in the front suspension probably caused the accident.
"What a wonderful privilege to be able to assist our missionary friends in their time of trouble," Steve wrote. "It’s neat to be here to serve our co-workers in whatever way they need assistance."