Urgent Update!
Apartment fire
February 26th, 2017 News|Prayerletters 25 Comments

Pastors and Supporting Church Families,

Today around noon our time (midnight EST), February 25, 2017, here in Vanavara, fire broke out in our apartment building and it burned to the ground.

We are all fine as are the other six families who lived in the building.  We were able to get a few things out, including our important documents, some clothes, a few of the kids’ toys and a couple of appliances before the fire forced us to leave.  Everything else that was left in the apartment was completely lost.  

We are spending a couple of nights with the Deans while we figure out where to go from here and will be meeting with a lady about some temporary housing tomorrow (Sunday).  
 
While we know that it is just “things” that we lost, and that “things” can be replaced, it still hurts to lose it all.  Overall everyone is doing well, but it has been hard on the kids as they think about their things that are important to them that they have lost in the fire.

Please pray for us, as well as the other displaced families, as we try to make a plan to get resettled.  Pray that this may be a time of bonding with the other victims, that doors of opportunity to witness will open.  We praise the Lord that there was no loss of life and no injuries.  We know that the town will be watching to see how we react to this tragedy.  We need God’s help and strength and wisdom during this time.

Many of you will undoubtedly ask or wonder what you can do to help.  At this point I cannot honestly say what we need right now.  Once we can get our bearings, we will be able to inform you better about our needs.  Our internet access will be spotty at best right now, but I will do my best to keep everyone informed and updated in a timely manner.

6PM and the fire still not extinguished 

Comments

  1. Tim says:
    Posted on February 26, 2017

    Thanks for the update! Praying, Matt and Katie. We love y’all.

    • matt says:
      Posted on February 26, 2017

      Thank you, Tim. The prayers are much appreciated.

  2. Jean Yandle says:
    Posted on February 26, 2017

    We are so sorry. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. SURELY the Lord will show you great and wonderful things through this.

    • matt says:
      Posted on February 26, 2017

      Thank you, Jean. We are just taking it one day at a time and trying to trust the Lord and his timing.

  3. Posted on February 26, 2017

    We are praying for you and the families involved.

    • matt says:
      Posted on February 26, 2017

      Thanks for the prayers, Natalie. We appreciate them more than we can say.

  4. Harry Finnemore says:
    Posted on February 26, 2017

    We are praying for you and those that are involved . please keep us informed .

  5. Harry Finnemore says:
    Posted on February 26, 2017

    We are praying for you and those who are involved.

    • matt says:
      Posted on February 26, 2017

      Thank you, Harry. We will be sure to keep everyone updated as we are able.

  6. Bro. Duffef says:
    Posted on February 26, 2017

    Brother sorry to hear of your of the lost of your home. Thanking the Lord you are safe. I am so very thankful that hou all were not harmed. It is great to know that Romans 8:28 is still in the Book. God can work wonders tbrough your personal loss. I know you all will handle this will God’s grace and Christ will be honored and glorified. God can use this to open blinded eyes and melt cold indifferent hearts. Praying diligently for you all. Bro. Duffer

    • matt says:
      Posted on February 26, 2017

      Thank you very much, Pastor Duffer for the prayers on our behalf. We understand that God will work through this both in our lives and the lives of our neighbors who were affected as well. The knowledge is there, but our hearts still hurt. Trying to trust and rest in Him and taking it one day at a time.

  7. Norm Gibbs says:
    Posted on February 26, 2017

    Will be praying for the family – would imagine it is very hard but certainly will open many opportunities.

    • matt says:
      Posted on February 26, 2017

      Thank you, Norm. We know that God will work through this. We are resting in Him.

  8. Benjaman Gallant says:
    Posted on February 26, 2017

    Wow it is incredible how sometimes God will allow things to happen that we don’t understand but we can have peace through it all because we know it’s all for His glory. I love you all and I am praying for you as you walk through this difficult trial.

    • matt says:
      Posted on February 26, 2017

      Thanks, Ben. Love you guys too.

  9. Nathan Jones says:
    Posted on February 26, 2017

    So sorry to hear about the fire. Be assured we will be praying for you folks during this time.

    • matt says:
      Posted on February 26, 2017

      Thank you very much, Nathan. It means a lot to have the support of God’s people praying for us at this time.

  10. Pastor Mark says:
    Posted on February 26, 2017

    We will certainly be praying, will give the details that we have to the church people today!

  11. Pastor Mark says:
    Posted on February 26, 2017

    Mark Philbrick, Clinton Baptist Church, Clinton Maine, our love and prayers

    • matt says:
      Posted on March 1, 2017

      Thank you for the prayers, Pastor Mark. We appreciate the love and support from everyone there in Clinton.

  12. Fred, Marie, & Katie says:
    Posted on February 27, 2017

    We are so sorry to hear about this, but are praising the Lord that you are safe! We are backing you with prayer.

    • matt says:
      Posted on March 1, 2017

      Thank you very much for the prayers during this time.

  13. jane brobst says:
    Posted on March 1, 2017

    So sorry to hear of the fire. Praise God no one was hurt! I pray God will give you wisdom and grace in the days ahead. I am from Emmanuel Baptist church from Millville, PA. I would like to help with some of your needs –so keep us posted. Keep warm and safe! PRAYERS FOR ALL OF YOU-JANE BROBST

    • matt says:
      Posted on March 1, 2017

      We appreciate your prayers and the prayers from everyone there at Millville. We will keep everyone updated as much as possible.

  14. Pastor & Mrs. Jim Downey says:
    Posted on March 5, 2017

    We are praying for you, and asking the Lord how we can be of material ans/or physical help. We are in PA, and the O’Brians are to be in our church in Kreamer, PA tomorrow. We talked with Dad (Grandpa) Greg Pease yesterday & got a bit of info. We love you, and are praying specifically for the Lord to be glorified, and bring others to Him through these tough times. (Remember us, Katie?)

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