Finding Blessings in Tragedy

Today was a sad day. Not long after I started working, I received a call from a distressed student telling me to come up to the stables because another student, Amalie, was hurt. I wasn't sure how serious it was because I'm used to girls getting kicked in the leg or stepped on by these incredibly stupid horses. I ran to get Bamse (the vehicle the SM's have to drive. Bamse means 'teddy bear' in Danish) and called Ina (SM from Germany) to come with me because I didn't know what to expect. Ina and I go up to the stables to find Amalie surrounded by 3 other students and 3 adults. From where we were standing we didn't see how serious it was, but we could see she was on the ground. We went over to see if we could do anything and Amalie was breathing but unconscious. One of the adults was trying to get her to respond to her name. The only response was her legs and arms restlessly moving, and sometimes she would make noises as if she was having a bad dream. Finally, a paramedic-type person came. He was an older man and kind of clumsy. I was really concerned because he tried stepping over Amalie and ended up stepping on her leg. (Thankfully, her leg wasn't [previously] injured) A few minutes later, the ambulance came and I had a chance to ask Anika (the student who called me) what happened.

Anika and Amalie were walking their horses towards the stables and Anika's horse kicked Amalie's horse which made that horse somehow kick Amalie in the back of her head.

After Amalie was taken into the ambulance, Ina and I drove a couple of the girls back down to the school. They were very shook up. Especially Kathrine. She had been holding Amalie's head and had blood all over her arm. I was really surprised at how calm and brave she was during the whole thing. As we were walking towards Bamse, Kathrine just started crying. I felt so proud of her and let her know.

Word spread like wildfire as soon as we drove down the hill. At one point, I looked outside and saw about 6 students crying and hugging each other. I knew I needed to take this opportunity to pray with them. So I did. And it was the first of many prayers today.

Soon after that we found out that her skull was fractured and [I think] she was induced into a coma. A few hours later she had surgery to relieve the pressure built up in her skull, and I think that went well. We don't know much more than that.

Interestingly enough, Amalie was just voted 'Efterskolen Student of the Year.' ALSO, today was the beginning of the Week of Spiritual Emphasis. I don't find it to be a coincidence that it happened like this. I don't think there's a nice sounding way to say this, but even though this is a terrible thing that happened, I can't think of a better time or person for it to happen to. I believe that Amalie will make it out and God will answer the prayers of these students. And because I believe this, that's why I say that it's the best person for it to happen to. This is a great opportunity for God to bring a variety of different people to look towards God again or for the first time! I think nearly everyone at the school knows Amalie and loves her. She's so happy and bubbly and full of life.

But do keep her and all the students here in your prayers. And keep Bobby Bovell, the pastor this week, in your prayers as well. God has some plans and let's pray the devil doesn't get in the way.

It's been an eventful day/night, and I think it's time for me to get some rest. :)