Something we would like to ask you to lift up in prayer:
One of our Nicaraguan students (Matthew – 16 years old) was killed in a car accident this past weekend. Details about the accident are still sketchy, but it seems confirmed that the driver of the vehicle (that the student was in) was taken to jail because there were two deaths that resulted from the accident. It doesn't appear that the driver (20 year old young man and son of missionary parents) was at fault, but in Nicaragua it is the general practice to bring someone to jail if a death is involved (guilty until proven innocent). We've been told that an ambulance was called at the scene of the accident, but that because this is not the most efficient process, someone transported Matthew into a car and rushed him to the nearest hospital. The response from the hospital was that they had no blood to give him and therefore could not help him. On the way to the next hospital, this young man passed away. Our teachers and student body are grieving. This boy's father is a pastor and it has also been shared that he gathered his family together and said, "God has given us Matthew and now He has allowed him to be taken away. Let's celebrate his life." Our teachers were amazed by how this family ministered to those who came to the funeral and how the tone of the funeral was one of celebration. Our request for prayers are for continued comfort for Matthew's family and for God to use his life and death to speak into the lives of our community. Also please pray for the driver of the vehicle. Thank you. The Van Zoest Family.