Yesterday one of our aircraft experienced a landing accident. One of the tires was blown and the plane veered into the ditch alongside the runway. The plane was only travelling at 10 knots when it hit the ditch. There were no injuries sustained by any of the 9 passengers or the pilot. The plane however, sustained significant damage and will be out of commission for some time. We are thankful for God's protection! Please pray for our pilots out here who fly in crazy areas all the time!
Yesterday myself and three friends were in Jayapura to spend the night at the Swiss Bel hotel to celebrate a birthday. We heard before supper time that there'd been an earthquake in Japan and that there was a tsunami watch for Papua. We decided to go to our rooms and retrieve our valuables and clothes and head for higher ground to eat dinner and wait out the watch. As we were leaving with our stuff we observed a group of people meeting in the lobby of the hotel. We didn't think much of it. Later we found out that our entire hotel was evacuated and some people were sent to the very restaurant we went to. The manager of the hotel met us there after we'd eaten supper and told us it was not yet safe for us to return. After about 15 minutes he told us we could return. So we did and as we were exiting our vehicle we heard a warning siren and it was rather dark and quiet at the hotel. Some people went by and told us that we had to leave again. So we did. We drove up a ways and watched the harbour from there and we saw nothing. There was no noticeable wave. Thankfully... It was however, another adventure... No trip to Jayapura is completely void of adventure!
One of our group is a woman from Japan and her family is safe but are experiencing after-shocks. Our prayers are with the Japanese victims and may they find hope with the only One within whom hope and comfort may be found.
Yesterday the 10 month old son of one of our loading guys passed away. He'd been sick for a little while and they thought he was getting better but he took a sudden turn and passed away. Please pray for this young couple who lost their only child.