Adventures in Paradise Volume 2 #21

Kia ora everyone! Our excellent adventure adopts a somber note as news of a tragic accident  has reached us here in Gisborne. It was while I was preparing this week’s blog for publication that we first heard of the horrific crash that had taken the lives of three vacationers from Richfield, Utah. In the ensuing days, as the story’s details have filtered through to us, I felt impressed to put my original, much more frivolous blog on hold so that I could address the serious and yet touching nature of the events of the past week.

Just for a moment let me put things into perspective in terms of the accident scene. The Hamilton Temple, the Visitor’s Center and our mission presidents home are all located within a few hundred yards of each other on the state highway where the accident occurred. The surrounding area is pastureland made up of rolling hills. This highway, like so many others in New Zealand is a narrow, two-lane road, which is heavily traveled. Seeing semi-trucks and logging vehicles is not at all uncommon any time of the day or night, and as I have mentioned in previous blogs, those trucks move very quickly.

 

No one knows for certain why, but it is clear that the SUV, driven by Richard Barnett made a right turn into the path of an oncoming semi. Those of us, who are visitors to this beautiful country, are well aware of how vigilant one must be to remember that we are to be driving on the left side of the road. I can tell you from personal experience, that although I know intellectually, every move the driver makes is the exact opposite as the same maneuver that we would make at home, still in the micro second that it takes to execute a turn, all logic leaves as that turn seems totally wrong. It is confusing and frightening at the same time.

 

As it so often happens, when word of a tragedy first surfaces, it surfaces with much erroneous information. Well meaning, caring people pass the story along to others, and in the retelling, fiction replaces fact. The events in this case, became so skewed that young missionaries in the Hamilton mission, having heard from church members, that two senior couples were killed in that accident, frantically began calling each other to find out who had been involved. They finally dared to call the phones of the senior couples Friday afternoon in the hope that those phones would all be answered! Their concern for us was touching and became one of the few bright spots in what was otherwise, a very sad week.

 

We also have all been so touched by the behavior of Richard Barnett, who was released from the hospital this morning. This man, facing the loss of his wife and two dear friends, due to a simple mistake, is also facing charges laid by the Hamilton Police. While the weight of his involvement in this tragedy is resting upon his shoulders along with the onset of his personal grief, Richard Barnett, attempted to seek out the driver of the semi to offer any comfort that he could. Who does that? What sort of person finds the strength to reach out to another, when in reality, others should be reaching out to him?

 

 In this battered, grieving man, we have a perfect example of Christ-like behavior. We don’t have to listen to anything Richard Barnett says, because his actions towards others say it all.  In his loss, he still finds it important to reach out to someone else. While it is true, that at this time, the driver of the semi has chosen to decline the offer of a meeeting, it does not diminish the fact that the gesture was made. I was thinking today, that I wish that I had had the opportunity to meet Richard Barnett, but then it occurred to me that due to his actions, I already know him. Our prayers go out to the Barnett and Peterson families and we wish them well in the coming days as their loved ones arrive home to a very somber welcome. Our hearts are with them as well

 

In closing, it must be said that there have been many thoughtful people who have and are still supporting all those involved. The local stake president and bishop have been at the hospital almost continuously since Tuesday evening. The community has come together to offer any support that they can. There have been offers of meals and lodging for family members who are arriving from Utah. There, I am certain, will be many more quiet acts of kindness that will go undocumented and that’s the way it should be.  

 

As always, we are happy and trying to work hard. We have been saddened and touched by the events of this past week. But we have also been taught lessons in compassion. We too, in a very small way, have been the recipients of the concern of several young missionaries who worried that we might have been involved and were relieved to know that we were safe. We are grateful to have loving, caring and thoughtful people in our lives. We hope that we can return the favor when ever you should need us.

Love, Ward and Susan     Elder and Sister Belliston, serving in Gisborne, New Zealand