When a child comes to Echo Ranch Bible Camp I want to know that her life has been influenced by God in some way. I long to hear the stories of God’s transforming power in the lives of young people and their families. We cover our ministry in prayer, but questions still remain: What happens when they leave camp? Is God still at work when they’re back at home? How is God at work during our retreat season? Is serving food and cleaning up after people sharing the gospel? Then I encounter stories like that of the Edwards family. God used Echo Ranch a place of refuge for their family during a very turbulent time last summer.
On the morning of July 26, fifteen-year-old Sarah Edwards prayed God would give her an opportunity to spend more time with her mom, Anne, and dad A.J. Her sister Hannah, who had just turned 13, had a group of friends over for a sleepover. Sarah was excited when A.J. asked for her help to make breakfast for the group. As the smell of hot, fresh pancakes rose from the kitchen so did the laughter of a father-daughter team hard at work. Wanting to capitalize on this moment, A.J. asked Sarah if she would spend the day helping him put a new roof on a friend’s house.
Sarah was excited about the opportunity to spend time with her dad as they hopped in the car and headed for the worksite. She felt her prayer was already being answered. A.J. had ordered a forklift to facilitate putting the stacks of shingles on the roof, and after completing the task it was time to drive the forklift back to the rental shop. Out on the road the traffic was heavier than usual. At some point a car came dangerously close to A.J. and Sarah. As A.J. turned the forklift to avoid a collision he found himself on the side of embankment, losing control. The more he tried to adjust, the more gravity pulled the vehicle toward the edge. On the other side of that embankment was a glacier fed lake. The forklift rolled into the icy cold water with Sarah and her father trapped inside.
A passerby saw the accident and stopped to help. Sarah and A.J. both had head trauma, and the stranger had to keep Sarah’s head above water. Rescue crews were called and after removing Sarah and A.J. from the wreckage they were flown to a hospital in Seattle to receive treatment. Sarah endured a five hour surgery to clean away debris from her brain’s membrane and insert a plate where the skull was fractured. She also broke her jaw and needed 12 stitches in the back of her head. A.J. suffered brain damage, a torn kidney, complete loss of hearing in his right ear and re-injured his back. Anne and Hannah rushed to Seattle to be with Sarah and A.J.
Meanwhile the youngest Edwards, eleven-year-old Leah was spending the week at Echo Ranch Bible Camp.
The Echo Ranch staff was notified about the accident, and through the camp’s satellite Internet connection Leah received updates on her father and sister’s condition. Leah’s counselor was also aware of the situation and showered the young girl with prayers and compassion. Amongst all the chaos, the Edwards didn’t have to worry about where Leah would stay or who would take care of her. They knew their youngest daughter would be safe and loved.
The staff at Echo Ranch did what came naturally to them—they demonstrated the love of Christ and created a fun environment for Leah. The Edwards girls have been going to Echo Ranch for years and the counselors were happy to help. But this is not the end of Edwards family’s Echo Ranch experience. Exactly one month later, the Edwards returned to Echo Ranch for the third annual Homeschool Retreat, an opportunity for homeschool students and their parents to come and participate in series of educational workshops.
Thirty days after their accident A.J. and Sarah were making a quick recovery, and were able to attend the retreat. This was the first time the Edwards had the opportunity to relax as a family since the accident. The girls attended workshops while A.J. and Anne stole moments away for themselves, without a worry about what to cook or who was taking care of the girls: they can let the staff at Echo Ranch take of that. Each member of the family used the weekend in a special way. Sarah did worksheets that helped increase short term memory, A.J. read a good book and Anne enjoyed some much needed silence.
We don’t always see God’s providence in the whirlwind of painful events, but occasionally He gives us a glimpse of His grace in action. This story is only the tip of the iceberg for many of the youth and families who spend time at Echo Ranch. Whether a child or family is coming from a place of a physical or spiritual pain, God has given us the privilege of being there for them. I’ve learned that sometimes being there for a person and showing them you care is the best ministry you can have.