Chatsworth Train Wreck
Sunday, September 14th, 2008For two months now my church has allowed me to work as a part-time chaplain at a couple of hospitals. The hospital I was scheduled to work at over these last two days was Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, Ca.
Holy Cross was one of several hospitals that received patients from the Metrolink train wreck in Chatsworth this past Friday. I have to say one of the most surreal experiences in my life was to be working in the emergency room yesterday evening when the ambulances rolled in and kept rolling in from the site. Last night I worked alongside some other wonderful chaplains. We also worked with and observed a hospital staff that worked together and were unified all evening and through the night. It was a relief this morning after arriving to the hospital when I heard that there were some folks who were much better this morning since yesterday’s wreck.
As I drove home tonight from the hospital I was listening to the latest news on a local radio station. The story that made the news tonight was the list of 25 persons who had died in the wreck. As the DJ read the names I couldn’t help but remember three or four names of folks, who had been read off the list, who had parents and friends sitting and waiting for answers and help in finding their loved ones last night.
My thought as I listened to the radio driving home was that all I could along with everyone else who helped yesterday, from fire crews, to the doctors, and nurses was to pray. Pray for those who are grieving this evening. Who are hurting. And praying that God would bring comfort to those who sleep tonight without there loved ones.
