ON HER WAY HOMEAccording to the Los Angeles Times teenage sailor Abby Sunderland has been rescued from the South Indian ocean within the last hour. The 16 year old had been stranded 2,000 nautical miles off western Australia for the last few days after severe storms battered her sailing boat ‘Wild Eyes’. The French fishing vessel Ile De La Reunion , the nearest boat to Abby’s location took 24 hours to reach the young mariner and effected the rescue with air support from a Global Express aircraft. Her family set up an Internet page to update news on Abby’s progress and it seems their prayer, “ HURRY HOME ABBY ! You are in our hearts and our prayers, come home safely” is being answered. The 1,295 ton fishing boat launched a smaller vessel and hauled the wet and cold teenager aboard.
'Wild Eyes' in the south Indian oceanSunderland had left Los Angeles last January in an attempt to become the youngest person to solo circumnavigate the globe. After damage to her boat she abandoned that goal and pulled in to Capetown to effect the necessary repairs. She decided to continue her journey anyway until last Thursday, when in rough seas the mast of her yacht broke, knocking off her satellite communications. Throughout her epic voyage Abby managed to regularly blog the details of the trip and garnered a huge online following for her daily dramas on the high seas. I think when Abby eventually settles back to domestic life on dry land she may well relate to these words found in the book of Psalms…
“ They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.” (Psalm 107:23-30 )
3 comments:
Praise the Lord!
Who in their right mind would let their 16 year old daughter out alone in a boat to sail around the world?
Ive heard Abby and her parents address this criticism and they would maintain that they did everything possible to ensure she was as safe as could be. Abby has been sailing since a really young age and her boat was equipped with the very best technology and safety features. A teenager can drive at 16 and may tragically end up in a smash a few yards from home...with parental love and responsibility comes the neccessity to let go and encourage freedom of the individual even in one's 16 year old daughter.
Post a Comment