Faith communities in North Dakota are mourning the loss of two young women who were killed in a car crash earlier this week.
In a heartfelt message posted to the Milnor Lutheran Church's Facebook page on June 12, Lay Minister Rick Bryant shared the news with his congregation. The post says that the two young women were volunteers from Red Willow Bible Camp. The collision occurred in Ransom County on June 11, taking the lives of two vibrant young women who had been assisting at the church's Vacation Bible School and staying with Bryant and his wife, Melissa.
"With a heavy heart and deep sadness, I share with you the loss of the two Vacation Bible School girls from Red Willow Bible Camp who helped out at our Vacation Bible School," Bryant wrote. "Melissa and I are heartbroken."
The North Dakota Highway Patrol says the crash happened just before 4:30 p.m. along Highway 27, about four miles east of Lisbon, ND. Police say that a Chevy Tahoe, driven by 66-year-old Keith Williams of West Fargo, was travelling eastbound when it crossed the centre line hitting a Chevy Express head-on in the westbound lane. Officials say the crash caused both vehicles to start on fire.
Williams and the two girls in the Chevy Express, 22-year-old Valery Siabato of Bogota Colombia and a 17-year-old girl, were all killed in the crash. Libson is approximately 380 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg, and 75 kilometres southwest of Fargo, ND.
Bryant expressed the community's grief and confusion over the loss, reflecting on the difficulty of understanding why such promising young lives were cut short. "As human beings, some of us are asking, 'How could God allow this to happen?' Here are two young women who are serving God and had their hearts set on making the world a better place. Why would God choose these two with so much evil in our world? I don't know."
Despite the tragedy, Bryant urged the community to hold on to their faith, drawing parallels to the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ. "I am trying to remind myself that God does not have an age limit on those He uses for His purpose. Let us also remember that God, who sent His own Son to His death out of love for our salvation, will surely not hesitate to use us for His purpose."
In his message, Bryant found solace in the strong faith the young women had, encouraging others to seek comfort in their own beliefs during this dark time. "I am finding solace in knowing that those girls had a deep love for Jesus Christ and the strongest of faith. Let us keep that same faith in our hour of darkness. They are with God now, forever and ever."
Red Willow Ministries and Park River Bible Camp also issued a press release expressing their grief. Executive Director Jessica Gulseth and Board Chair Todd Edland shared that the accident occurred as the staff members were returning to Red Willow Ministries after providing a day camp in Milnor, ND. "They were the only occupants in the camp vehicle involved in the accident," the release stated.
The ministries have mobilized a team of area pastors and board members to provide support and care for their staff. They have communicated directly with the parents of children currently in their programs and will update on any changes to upcoming programs as more information becomes available.
"We have very little information about the circumstances surrounding the accident and will continue to work closely with local law enforcement agencies," the release continued. "When it becomes available, we will share more information as appropriate through our websites, social media pages, and email communications."
Gulseth and Edland requested prayers for the families, friends, and fellow staff members of the deceased. "Words cannot express our sadness at this tragic loss. We ask for your prayers and support in the days and weeks ahead," they said.