Emergency Update #5

It is with heavy hearts that we share today’s update, Aaron has not been found. At sunset, members of the local
community and rescue workers gathered with Aaron’s
family to say goodbye to a son, friend, crewmate, and coworker. We set flower lei upon the water and began bringing closure to the last four days of unknown outcomes.

We began with a tender moment as the family honored the men who tirelessly searched over the last four days, presenting each of them with flower lei. Brett Curtis, Director of YWAM Ships, along with the surviving crew presented Aaron’s mom Charlene, stepfather Todd and Aunt Cindy with a folded YWAM flag retrieved from the shoreline. Opportunity was given for those gathered to share memories of Aaron’s life. Kahu Davi led us in singing the Hawaiian doxology as the sun set in the background.  Everyone in attendance threw a lei into the ocean, in keeping with Hawaiian custom.

Please continue to pray for Aaron’s family who have departed the island and return home without their son.  We will have more to communicate about Aaron in another update tomorrow.

As of yesterday, January 5, 2015, The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has assumed control over and is in the process of removing the grounded vessel.  According to the DLNR, they will remove the vessel from the water so as not to pose an environmental hazard to state ocean waters. Once the vessel is removed from the waters, they will properly dispose of the vessel.

Once again, we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Hawaii Fire Department Rescue team, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and all those who have stood with us in prayer.

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Interested in knowing more? Contact us. We’d love to chat!

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