A family of four missionaries was among the passengers on the Hewa Bora plane that crashed April 15, 2008 in the Congo. Barry, MaryBeth, April, and Andrew Mosier were on their way from Kibidula Farm Institute in Tanzania, where they have worked for eight years, to visit their son, Keith, who is starting a project in the Congo. He was waiting for them at the airport where they were supposed to arrive. Here’s his story:
I received the message that my family was safely in the plane and ready to take off. Less than an hour later, I got to the Kisangani airport to pick them up. It’s been over seven months since I’ve seen my Mom and my little sister and brother, and I hadn’t seen my dad for over two months. So, I was looking forward seeing them.
Joyfully, I arrived at the airport thinking their plane had already landed. I quickly learned that there had been a problem. I asked at the airline desk what happened, and that’s when I received the news. The plane had crashed just after leaving the runway. They said it was still burning as we spoke. I asked if there were survivors and got mixed reports.
I started crying, but I wanted to buy a phone card to make some calls and find out. I had a strong hope that they made it out. I couldn’t imagine them dying when they still have so much to do.
After several phone calls, a lot of prayer and many tears, I had no answer. I returned home, realizing there was nothing I could do at the airport.
Before I left, though, I took some time pray at the edge of an open field next to the parking lot. I looked up into the sky and saw the birds flying overhead. "Lord,” I prayed, “You made the birds, I know that you have the ability to keep my family alive no matter how bad the crash was. I don't know what happened, but I trust that you will work all things out together for good, just as you have promised to those who love you and those who are called according to your purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
I accepted with joy the fact that He was watching over them and that nothing could happen to them apart from his perfect will. This brought peace to my soul.
By the time I finished praying, a number of people had gathered to see why this white guy was kneeling under the hot sun crying and talking out loud in English. When I looked up I could see some of them were worried about me so I explained the situation. I told them about my Father in Heaven who gives me hope in times of trial. I told them that I've never had such a scary situation in my life, but I trusted the results with My God. I ended up giving a three-minute sermon to the 20 or so people gathered there. I guess it seemed like an opportunity to share the Blessed Hope that God has given me. (Tit. 2:13)
When I got home about 30 minutes later, I got the message that my father had called, and all of them were safe.
Even more tears fell from my eyes, but this time they were tears of inexpressible joy. I got the number where I could call them, and talked to both my parents and my sister. I have never been so happy to hear their voices!
It seems clear to me that the devil was trying to end the work that God has put before them, but God clearly came out victorious. "A thousand shall fall at thy side and ten thousand shall fall at thy right hand: but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked." (Psalm 91:7,8)
It was a scary experience for each one of them. My sister was one of the first out of the plane, and she didn't know if Mom, Dad, and Andrew had made it out safely until they met at the hospital. The seats in front of theirs were smashed down, trapping some people underneath, and a fire behind them claimed the lives of others. But God's angels stayed close to my family and made it possible for them to get out safely. Many in the plane and in the buildings where the plane crashed died. My dad went back to the site of the crash, and the whole mid-section of the plane was burned to ashes.
They all lost their glasses, but they can be replaced. My dad lost his laptop computer with a lot of important information on it but he still has his brain, which has more information than the computer ever did. They lost the clothing and tools they were bringing to help us in our work, but none of these things seem important under the circumstances. They lost everything they had except the clothes on their backs along with the money and passports my dad was carrying. But they trust the promise, "my God will supply all your needs according to his riches and glory by Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:19)
I know by this that my family has yet a great work to do for God. He will not allow them to enter the sleep of death until the appointed time has come. Please keep them in your prayers as they recover from this traumatic experience, especially my little brother who broke his leg and will be in a body cast from his belly down until his femur heals. Please also pray for those who lost loved ones in this terrible accident.
Most of all please wake up to the times we're living in. Jesus is coming soon and he must use us, His people, to bring the warning message to every tribe and language (Rev. 14:6,7; Matt 24:14). Please pray that my family and I won't become discouraged as we continue to work for lost souls in Africa. We look forward to the day, not far off, when we will see Him coming and our Blessed Hope will become a Reality.
Yours in the Blessed Hope,
Keith Mosier
President of Congo Frontline Missions
