Very Sad News from the Christian Church in Humboldt, NE

Today found me back at Benson Baptist Church taking in the early service, and teaching Sunday School for the 2nd to 4th Graders once again.  I was very happy to be back with the kids, they are all so well behaved (the younger group is a bit wild), and for the most part pay very good attention during our class time.  Our time together just zips by and before we seem to even be getting started, we're having to wrap things up.  Such is the way things are when you're doing something that you enjoy.

Last night I was sadden to learn that one of the youth from the Humboldt Christian Church was killed in an automobile accident.  The youngster was named Devon, and I don't recall ever having met him.  But as I understand it, when I have filled in for Howard, Devon was generally with Howard and the rest of the youth at camp.  From his photo below he looks like an All-American boy, a good looking young man, such a terrible loss.

There is nothing more horrific than the senseless death of a young person.  My heart bleeds for his family, the Church, the Community at large and of course for my dear friend Howard.  Howard as the Pastor is left to answer the unanswerable question, that is invariably asked repeatedly at times such as this.... "WHY God, WHY".  We seek to console as best we are able but we need to be cautious that we do not do additional damage to the grieving by offering up easy but theologically damaging answers.

Too often I have heard people say things like "God just needed another angel", or "we just have to trust God, only he knows why he does what he does".  I cringe at these statements and dozens more nearly like them.  We must always realize that God does not make bad things happen to us or to anyone else.  What does it say about God if we believe he would kill a 16 year old boy in a fiery crash?  Do you really want to defend a theology that pretends that God's greater purpose is served by the agonizing death of an innocent boy?

I do not know all the circumstances surrounding the crash, but it seems that for whatever reason, Devon failed to stop at a stop sign.  Was he distracted or did he just think he had time to rush through ahead of the truck, I don't know and frankly it doesn't matter.  For some reason he failed to stop, at sixteen even if he was a farm kid who'd been driving for years, he is still inexperienced behind the wheel.  There is no single age that is likely more dangerous behind the wheel, than the age of sixteen.  

Something went wrong yesterday, but whatever it was, it wasn't something God preordained and designed.  God I am certain would like nothing better than for Devon to be sitting at home tonight with his family and friends.  The thing that God can do however, is he can guide us to find some element of good out of the most awful situation.  I will not pretend to answer what that good might be, that is up to the prayerful guidance of God through people in the community like my good friend Howard.

All I can do is pray my heart out for those affected by this tragedy.  Please join me in praying for the family, the Church, Devon's friends, the community and for Howard.

Thank you all so very much.

In His Love and Grace,

Roy

Follow Up Blog Post: "God's Angels Wear Human Faces"

Blog post after the funeral

Article on Crash

Devon with his Father

Victim Identified in Richardson County Fatality Crash 
(KLZA)-- A wreck involving three vehicles Saturday afternoon resulted in the death of a 16-year
old Humboldt boy. The drivers of two other vehicles were transported for medical treatment. 
According to the Richardson County Sheriff’s Office witnesses said that at approximately 3 p-m
Saturday, a car driven by 16-year old Devon Hunzeker of Humboldt was westbound on Highway 62
and failed to stop at the intersection with Highway 75.
A northbound semi-truck driven by 56 year old Cheryl VanBriesen of Ashton, Iowa ran into the car
driven by Hunzeker. The impact of the crash caused the car and semi to strike a Ford Ranger pickup
that had stopped in the southbound turn lane to make a left-hand turn onto Highway 62. The driver
of the pickup was 79 year old Andrew McMullen of Stella.
Witnesses said the Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Hunzeker split in two and was in flames. The car
and the pickup both came to a stop in the west ditch off of Highway 75.
Devon Hunzeker was pronounced dead at the scene. Andrew McMullen was transported by
ambulance to the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn and then flown to a Lincoln Hospital. His
injuries were described as non-life threatening. 
The truck driver, Cheryl VanBriesen was transported to the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn but
did not appear to be injured.
It took several hours to clear the scene. The Richardson County Sheriff’s Office, Humboldt Rescue,
Humboldt Fire, Richardson County Emergency Management and Nebraska State Patrol all
responded to the scene.