Update on the accident

UPDATE

URGENT PRAYER
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
JANUARY 27, 2007

WEST AFRICA. "Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men," Psalm 107:19-21. Thank you for interceding for an 8-year-old West African girl who was accidentally hit by an IMB missionary's vehicle Friday, January 26. An IMB field strategy leader who visited the hospital Saturday morning, January 27, learned that the girl's mother had arrived and that the girl was awake,  responding to her mother and eating.  The local hospital staff had intended to transfer the girl to a hospital in the capital city but has decided that it is not necessary. Please continue to pray that this child will have a full recovery.  Also pray for the emotional recovery of the missionary family that was involved in the accident.  Ask God to provide opportunities in the coming days for IMB personnel in the area to have a positive Christian witness to the family of the injured child as well as to others in the community.

It is amazing to be here and see first-hand the Father's awesome answers to your prayers. When I arrived to Niamey yesterday I heard of two other accidents that involved our missionaries. But in each one, prayers were raised and the potential tragedies have turned to reasons to praise God! Everyone involved in these accidents is fine, recovering from a close call and a few aches and pains. It really cements in my brain what a HUGE part that you all have in our ministry here.

We will never know why these things happen, but God does!

Yesterday afternoon (14h00 EST) the H family, part of our Sokoto Fulani
team, were traveling near the town of Maradi in Niger when their vehicle
struck a local 8-year-old girl. The child is currently hospitalized with
serious injuries, but no one else involved in the accident was hurt.
Other IMB West Africa personnel are with the H family and at the hospital
with the child at this time. Pray that God will bring healing to this
child and be glorified in this situation. Intercede for the H family and
for our other WA personnel who are with the family members of this young
girl; ask God to give these colleagues sufficient strength, courage, and
confidence to be His witnesses in these difficult circumstances. Ask God
to give them spiritual wisdom and discernment to know how to respond in a
culturally appropriate way that will bring honor to Him.

My friends were leaving from meeting with our team when we received the
call about the accident. Yesterday evening and this morning I have been
with this family and four girls who desperately need our prayer for peace
in this difficult time. The latest news on the little girl is that she is
stable but has sustained head injuries with possible internal bleeding.
They were going to evacuate her to Niamey, the capital city, but have
decided against it because she is showing progress and looking better each
time. Please pray that she will be healed in the way that only God's power
can. We have already seen His hand at work when at the scene of the
accident the family was not sure if the child was even alive but is now
stable and resting. Many prayers have already been lifted for this
situation. Please join us as soon as you can.