It was a beautiful day in Colorado. I had just spent three days in the mountains with some great people and was headed back to Kansas City, Missouri, where I was living at the time. My phone had been off and upon checking my messages, I saw one from my mother. Something terrible had happened...
After hearing about the accident, I learned that the plane went down in Kansas and that Hannah been brought to a hospital near my home (fifteen miles away). I couldn't believe it. It felt as though I was being drawn back to Missouri... like I needed to get there as quickly as possible... like something greater was going on in all this.
I knew Hannah from when I was living in Colorado Springs in 2006. She was a part of a youth camp run by a friend of mine named David Perkins. I was simply there to help out. Hannah and I weren't close, but it was fun getting to know her.
In the years that followed, we hadn't really stayed in touch. But when I heard about the crash, I found it curious that she'd been brought to a hospital so close to my house. I also found it interesting that I was coming from Colorado, the place where we'd met... in fact, the very city of our meeting! Something sure seemed to be in the works, but I didn't know what it was.
I remember pulling into the hospital that day. I had just come off a 9-hour drive and I was nervous. I didn't know what to expect or if they'd even disclose which room she was in. After all, her father, Ron Luce, was a fairly well-known individual - a man I had met in passing once before through David Perkins. On top of all that, the accident had only just happened. It was all so fresh.
But nevertheless, I walked up to the counter and told a lady who I was looking for. I said I was a friend and she told me where to go.
I remember stepping out of the elevator, curious of what might happen next. I began to look around, rehearsing lines in my head in case I needed to explain myself to someone. But there was no one in sight. I walked around for a bit but everything was quiet and I didn't know where to go.
It was Ron, Hannah's father. He had just come from around a corner and was talking on the phone. We made eye contact and then he looked away. I may have waived to him, but I can't remember. And then he disappeared back around the corner.
The whole thing was more than a little awkward. What was I to say to the guy? I didn't really know Hannah and I knew him even less... a guy who's daughter had just been in a traumatic accident... an accident that resulted in the deaths of four young men... people he probably knew. And how terminal was Hannah's present condition?
I took a few deep breaths and walked around the corner. He was sitting in a waiting room, still talking on the phone. I walked in and handed him the note. He said 'thank you' and I nodded, turning to leave the room. And upon turning, I couldn't believe what happened next!
Hannah also remembers Luke Sheets and Stephen Luth.
Hannah Luce had been in an airplane accident.
And she was the only survivor.
The Airplane Crash
After hearing about the accident, I learned that the plane went down in Kansas and that Hannah been brought to a hospital near my home (fifteen miles away). I couldn't believe it. It felt as though I was being drawn back to Missouri... like I needed to get there as quickly as possible... like something greater was going on in all this.
I knew Hannah from when I was living in Colorado Springs in 2006. She was a part of a youth camp run by a friend of mine named David Perkins. I was simply there to help out. Hannah and I weren't close, but it was fun getting to know her.
She's a lively soul, that one is!
This is us
In the years that followed, we hadn't really stayed in touch. But when I heard about the crash, I found it curious that she'd been brought to a hospital so close to my house. I also found it interesting that I was coming from Colorado, the place where we'd met... in fact, the very city of our meeting! Something sure seemed to be in the works, but I didn't know what it was.
So basically, my plan was to show up at the hospital and to look for her room.
But nevertheless, I walked up to the counter and told a lady who I was looking for. I said I was a friend and she told me where to go.
I remember stepping out of the elevator, curious of what might happen next. I began to look around, rehearsing lines in my head in case I needed to explain myself to someone. But there was no one in sight. I walked around for a bit but everything was quiet and I didn't know where to go.
And then I saw him.
The whole thing was more than a little awkward. What was I to say to the guy? I didn't really know Hannah and I knew him even less... a guy who's daughter had just been in a traumatic accident... an accident that resulted in the deaths of four young men... people he probably knew. And how terminal was Hannah's present condition?
I wanted to turn back. I wanted to go home.
But then I had an idea... I would write him a note. But what would I say? I wanted it to be something that connected us, hopefully lowering his guard a bit. So I mentioned that I was a friend of David Perkins. I stated, briefly, how I knew Hannah and told him I was there to help out in whatever way I could. I ended by telling him that I'd be in the cafeteria downstairs for one-hour. If he wanted to speak with me, he could find me there. It was short and sweet.
So now I was ready for the hand-off.
It was David Perkins!
David was entering the room at that very moment! I was shocked. I had literally just mentioned David in a note that I handed to Ron only a second or two before. And now here he was! In person. A man I hadn't connected with in years. A man I spent 4-years of my life working for. A family friend. And he had just flown in from Colorado Springs... the place I had only just arrived from!
How was it all possible? And why did it happen?
And what were the odds of this happening? Yes, David is a mutual friend of Ron and I, but the three of us were all from different States. I mean, the fact that Hannah had ended up in a hospital so close to my home was odd enough. But now here was David!
(Side-note: You should also know that our families go way back. Our parents have been good friends since before I was born. When David was a teen, he spent time traveling with my family. And when I was a teen, I moved to Colorado and spent time with his. The lives of our families have intersected over the span of many years. Even as I write this post, my entire family is in Missouri with his!)
(Side-note: You should also know that our families go way back. Our parents have been good friends since before I was born. When David was a teen, he spent time traveling with my family. And when I was a teen, I moved to Colorado and spent time with his. The lives of our families have intersected over the span of many years. Even as I write this post, my entire family is in Missouri with his!)
While I'm not sure of the purpose of all this, it was obvious that something unique had happened that day. But regardless of whatever it was, I did eventually visit Hannah's room. We talked for a bit and prayed together. She asked for some books to read and I went to a bookstore and bought them for her.
It was a delicate time in her life.
And I was happy to have had a part in it.
And I was happy to have had a part in it.
If you'd like to read more about Hannah's story, click here! She's written a book about her experience called Fields Of Grace. All the proceeds go to Mirror Tree, a nonprofit Hannah founded, which helps to fund research to better the rehabilitation process of displaced people around the world, including refugees, burn victims, the homeless and others who fall under traumatic crisis. Mirror Tree was inspired by Austin Anderson and Garrett Coble, two of the young men who died in the crash.
Hannah also remembers Luke Sheets and Stephen Luth.
Fun Fact: David Perkins and his family have recently moved to Kansas City, MO, to plant a church called Radiant Church. And my sister and her husband decided to join them in this venture.
The church launched TODAY, September 18, 2016.
Cory, Whitney, and David
The church launched TODAY, September 18, 2016.
