Ebel's Blogmail

Hello Everyone,

Today is Tuesday only 5 days since the accident, it seems a lot longer. So many things and emotions have happened since Thursday last week. We have seen lots of sad and lots of good things. The whole MAF family in PNG are now here in Mt. Hagen, ready to support Esther, it has been a wonderful thing to be apart of, we are sorry that these things bring people together but it certainly is the case. It has been very good for Esther to feel and see the love around her daily. She has had people with her since the beginning looking after the small details, so she doesn’t need to worry about them. God has brought many different men, who are family friends, around for the kids. In fact Saturday 3 adults and the kids constructed a tree house in the front yard. It was a great diversion for all, and provided many hours of fun. I think everyone needed something to do and that was a good way to “forget” the reason why everyone was around.

Esther has been doing very well, even on the first day she told me that she is so devastated, but still has peace. She has gone on many different emotional waves, but overall she is getting through. The kids are doing very well, we are so impressed with them, as we do see them every day doing “kid“ things. I know and they do also, that there will be many hard days yet to come, but for now they do feel loved and have peace. Esther had all of Pierre’s personal effects returned to her on Friday, she was so thankful, it was mixed for sure, but it was good to have his ring, watch, wallet and shoes back. She is now wearing his ring on a necklace. It is shocking to her every time she walks by a mirror to see it there. She said, I have everything back, but him… Seeing and hearing all of her emotions are very real things, and very personal to us in many ways.

Esther came over today and wanted to begin her knitting project. Over a month and a half ago, we began to do some knitting, she found a project, ordered the yarn, but didn’t have the right size needle. So the day of the accident she was so excited the needles had arrived and was looking forward to beginning her project, finally. She came over around 9 to tell me that. So today she decided to try again. My heart ached when I thought is this the reason why we began knitting, so she would have a comfort in the wake of this tragedy. Who knows really, but I am glad she does have something to temporarily take her mind off of the things that are all around her.

Tomorrow is the memorial service, so we are glad there will be a chance to grieve and say good bye to a friend and to many much more than that. As most of you know, last year MAF PNG was faced with this same type of tragedy. At the service the pilots didn’t wear their uniforms. Pierre made mention to someone that he thought it would have been a good idea to wear them. So tomorrow, all the pilots will be wearing their uniforms proudly.

We have meetings this week, debriefings, and more meetings. They are doing various sorts of debriefings and counseling for the pilots, wives, children etc. It is a great thing, and I’m sure it will prove helpful.

As for our family, we are doing ok. Today our kids were part of a counseling session that was for the children directly involved with the Fasnacht kids straight after the accident. It was a time of talking with puppets and drawings. I think it was a good thing. They talked of the accident, and what happened, so they came home with pictures of the plane, at the base of a tree, and doctors looking at “uncle” Pierre. I think it was good to talk with others about it too; the Fasnacht kids were there too, so that was good. Our kids are just carrying on and being kids and friends with their friends next door. I am so thankful for their friendship during this time.

Well, that is what is happening here for now. I just want to thank you all for your responses of encouragement through verses and kind words etc. We have truly been blessed by each of them. I had a friend in Three Hills, share a verse with me and say that is my “spiritual hug”, because I can’t be there for a physical one. I was so touched by that. Thank you all again, we are truly blessed to have you behind us.

# posted by Ebel's Blogmail @ 4:55 PM 0 comments

Dear Friends

Thanks you so much for your emails and calls of encouragement! We appreciate it so much!

It is Saturday afternoon here and I have just come back from the airport where we met one of the MAF Twin Otters bringing in 3 MAF families from some of the bases the rest of the families will arrive in on Monday. All operations have ceased for at least a week as we gather together to support the Fasnachts. Next week there will be a memorial, debriefings and counseling.

Here in PNG death is a very common part of life and seems to always be around, with health services at a minimum things that would be non life threatening at home can quickly develop into serious life threatening ailments. In MAF we are often called upon to medivac these serious cases out of the bush, and sometimes we can’t make it soon enough, maybe it was to late in the day or weather hampered the flight. Death is handled differently here; grief is much more demonstrative and vocal. Yesterday there was a “haus cry” here with about 150-200 nationals here to show their sorrow and grief. At home a wake would be a very quiet affair here there is typically much wailing and loud crying. Each person coming up to Esther to give their condolences, there was another one this morning at their church. Pierre and Esther have been here 13 years and Pierre being the missions’ coordinator was in contact with most of the missions and churches here in PNG.

Please pray for Esther as she is very tired yet must be strong for her kids. Please remember Luca, the oldest, as he is taking it hard as well. The rest of the kids probably really don’t understand fully yet the reality of it all.

For us, please remember Sue especially, as she has her times when on one level she feels guilty for still having a husband and then scared that her husband too might not come home one day. And also for strength and wisdom for Sue as she supports Esther. The kids are doing well, doing what they do best, being good friends.

As for the accident there is not too much I can add the airplane crashed while on final approach to Tari. The weather and terrain were not a factor. There is an investigation on right now to try and determine what happened. There are many more questions then answers right now. The three survivors are still in the Nazarene hospital and it is a miracle they survived at all. There were many serious internal injuries and one still has some paralysis.

Thanks again friends

# posted by Ebel's Blogmail @ 4:55 PM 0 comments

Dear Friends

It is with a very heavy heart I share this with you.

Today around 11 am MAF pilot Pierre Fasnacht was killed in an aircraft accident while on final approach to Tari airport. Weather was not an issue. Pierre and Esther are our neighbors and have become good friends and their kids have become great playmates for Josh & Morgan. Please remember Esther and the kids Luca (11yrs) Noe (8yrs) Gioia (6yrs) and Alex (4yrs) in your prayers.

As for us this hits literally close to home and we are crushed.

Pierre and I had only spoken via radio shortly before the accident commenting on finally being able to be flying again as we had both been without an aircraft.

As I got in the van (we all car pool) tonight to drive home I was struck by the song playing on the radio and would like to share it with you.

I can only imagine what it will be like, when I walk by Your side...
I can only imagine, what my eyes will see, when Your Face is before me!
I can only imagine. I can only imagine.

Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine! I can only imagine!

I can only imagine, when that day comes, when I find myself standing in the Son!
I can only imagine, when all I will do, is forever, forever worship You!
I can only imagine! I can only imagine!

Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?

Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine! Yeah! I can only imagine!

Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?

Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine! Yeah! I can only imagine!

I can only imagine! Yeah! I can only imagine!! Only imagine!!!
I can only imagine.

I can only imagine, when all I do is forever, forever worship You!
I can only imagine.

By Mercy Me

Thanks for your PRAYERS!

In His Grip!

# posted by Ebel's Blogmail @ 4:54 PM 0 comments