plane crash at Doro [update1]

Praise the Lord for His hand of protection!

On Saturday, April 26th at approximately 11 a.m. an aircraft was involved in an accident while leaving Doro, in southern Sudan. The aircraft was being used to move SIM missionaries and supplies into Yabus and Doro and, on the accident leg, was intending to fly two SIM missionaries into Thangrial, Sudan. In total, there were 4 SIM missionaries and 1 pilot on board. There were no fatalities. All five were able to get out of the aircraft on impact. The pilot has a broken knee and one passenger broke a thumb. Most are reporting pain and soreness, but God definitely was providing protection in the incident.

Details are still limited at this point, because the evacuation and care for the 5 people involved is the priority.

The aircraft in the accident was a Cessna 208 Grand Caravan. The aircraft was departing from Doro, which has a dirt airstrip that was muddy at the time due to recent rainfall. The aircraft was airborne after takeoff but, for reasons not known at this point, struck trees at the end of the runway, went into a gully and flipped over on its back. Miraculously, there was no fire and everyone got out with only minor injuries. Some, who saw the wreckage remarked how amazed they were that no one was killed.

This is a very potent reminder of our complete dependence on the grace of God in our day to day operations. We train, maintain and operate as safely and sharply as possible, but it is God alone who is able to protect us when things such as this happen.

Please be praying for the 4 passengers and the pilot. Pray for physical healing as well as emotional healing after such a traumatic event. Also, please pray for the three organizations whose ministries are deeply affected by this as they care for their personnel and replace very expensive equipment.