We left Thursday morning at 5 for the outreach. It was raining most of the time but we were making great time! We stopped for lunch much earlier than we excepted. It started to rain when we were eating so we jumped back in the car and took off. Me and the Elise (the girl sitting next to me) decided to get some sleep before we got there so we leaned back and closed our eyes (I was sitting by the window seat 3rd row and I praise God I didn’t rest my head on the window). At about 12:30 a cow stepped out on the road a and truck going about 120kph swerved to miss the cow losing control on the wet road (sunny at this point though) just missing our leader in front of us smashing into the side of our 15 seater van (on my side). My eyes where closed so I just remember being hit but not knowing what was going on. It hurt but I didn't register the pain. Everyone jumped up and I think I tried but I felt the pain and grabbed Elise’s arm. When I opened my eyes I say Ema (in the front row) with blood on her face. I couldn't move because the pain was so intense on my lower back wrapping to the front. The window was gone next to me and people where getting out of the cars on there hones just looking in a me. One of the leaders, Solange, got me to lay down with my head on her lap just praying and keeping me focussed on her. It was hard because Tabea who was right in front of me was passed out and everyone was trying to wake her up. The people who weren't hurt were great help comforting those who were or just badly shaken up. Our team nurse was able to check everyone but couldn't get to me so Linda, one of the girls on the team is a nurse, so the boys were able to put her through the window to check me out and take my blood presser and pulse. She kept me focused and got my breathing slowed down. After about 30 minutes (ha gotta love Africa!) the ambulance showed up. They had to put me on the stretcher through the window (which felt so dumb and completely unnecessary). They took us to the state hospital, which if you know Africa, thats the last place you want to go get care. They checked me out not even giving me an X-ray, gave me a pain shot in my stomach, said I was good to go, and gave me a wheelchair while just watching me struggle until one of my team mates jumped up to help me into it. Please pray for those hospitals! They have so many people there who need care and cant do it because of lack of money, recourses, and education. When Ema got her X-ray back there was a crack on her hip but the doctor said it was nothing; thats when Charmaine the nurse got us in the care for a private hospital over an hour away. It was Ema, Deborah, Tabea, and I. It was a long wait in the hospital but it was amazing care. Tabea and I have major bruising to our pelvis, Tabea has a concussion, Ema has a cracked pelvis but not too bad and Deborah has a broken arm with a pinched nerve and is in the hospital now. We got to stay at an amazing B&B sort of place with each of us having our own room with an amazing view of the mountains and city for only R800. We have been so blessed. We joined the group friday morning. It was so great to see them all! We had counselors and split off in groups to talk about what we felt and what we experienced to get the full picture. Friday was just so great to be with my friends and and just laugh (even though laughing is painful it was amazing!). Im really learning to ask for help. I hate being the baby having people get my food, helping me in the shower, and getting dressed but oh well...I am my Father's child. We arrived back on the Saturday late afternoon. The rest of the team got to continue with the outreach! Sad to say no one is in Somerset. The remaining 4 on our team joined Belfast and they were all excited to get out there! We are so happy for them and can’t wait to hear all the stories of what God is doing in Gazankulu. Jaminah, Finn, and Roberta also stayed back. Finn and Jaminah and both still in a little pain from the crash and just weren't mentally ready for an outreach and Roberta flew forward in the crash messing up her teeth. Please pray for fast healing for all of us. For the rest of the team on their outreach and everyone to be at peace with what has happened. Thank you all so much for your prayers!!!
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