Michigan

It takes great skill to be a pilot; greater skill yet, to fly a helicopter (or a rotor-wing aircraft as they are technically known). Nelson Vance not only flew both all around the world, but he was also a certified flight instructor. Now you know something about his skill as an aviator.

So let me tell you a bit about his personal journey. Fortunately, Nelson grew up in a church-going family, because only his faith in God would sustain him through a life-changing tragedy. One warm summer morning the airplane in which he was training young pilots malfunctioned and crashed. Everyone on board was killed, except Nelson.

Seriously injured, Nelson endured months of difficult rehabilitation. The grief, the loss, the pain ... it was a crushing burden. Left with a major disability and no longer able to fly, the next few years were extremely difficult. Only his faith in God and his love for the Word sustained him.

One day the mail brought a brochure announcing a series of Bible studies at a nearby church that would explore the book of Revelation. Nelson believed the book of Revelation, though admittedly he didn't understand it very well. This class, taught by a Bible instructor named Dan Towar, seemed to offer helpful insights, so Nelson decided to attend.

It was all so plain. It made such good sense. And most important, Nelson fell more deeply in love with the Jesus he discovered in the book. When the series was over Nelson was baptized and became a member of the Jackson Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Looking back, the tragedy of the crash is still real, but the spiritual journey that has grown out of it has provided Nelson with an eternal hope, and the firm assurance that the God who loves him will soon return.

Madlyn Hamblin, Jackson Church member, as shared with Bruce Babienco, Lake Union Herald volunteer correspondent