On June 2, 1995, a Soviet-made missile slammed into Air Force Captain Scott O'Grady's F-16. Twenty seven thousand feet over war-torn Bosnia, he races to escape his disintegrating fighter. A short time later his parachute dropped him deep in enemy territory. For 6 gut-wrenching days with hostile searchers on every side, he hid. What thoughts would have gone through your mind if you had been in his shoes?

With his face buried in the dirt Captain O'Grady turned upward to God, the One who could help him the most. He prayed intently as bullets continued to hit the ground just yards from where he lay.

But how would God answer his prayers? His only recourse was to transmit brief pleas for help, risking death with each attempt. The result: silence, static and the fear of capture. On the fifth night flying six miles overhead, T.O. Hanford risked the same missiles that had blown O'Grady from the sky. He listened for hours trying to detect the location of these pleas. But finally, with Hanford nearly out of fuel, they connected. After 5 agonizing days alone, O'Grady's desperation turned to elation. He finally connected with a real person who was on his side. He didn't know T.O. Hanford. But what did it matter? Hanford served the same commander and was part of a huge force dedicated totally to rescuing him.

That one connection set in motion the answer to O'Grady's deepest prayer and desire... real people who could get him out. Soon a helicopter landed and O'Grady was thrust aboard. What a relief... O'Grady, though he knew no one, was at last among people he could trust. But the rescue was not complete. Still risking life and limb, his comrades prevailed, delivering him to the safety of their aircraft carrier.

Moments later the USS Kearsage crew welcomed him as one of their own. He didn’t really know any of them either, but felt the comfort of their care. Later he reflected: "...they risked their lives to get me out... if you want to find some heroes, that's where you should look."

Captain Scott O'Grady had great ability and specialized training - more than most of us. But most significantly he had faith. "The first thing I want to do," he related at his first press conference, "is thank God. If it wasn't for God's love and my love for God, I would not have gotten through it. He is the One that delivered me here, and I know that in my heart."

Despite all the ability in the world and even with faith in God, he needed the assistance of others! God's plan for him and for us as well is to contact real people. We all need personal connections with people we can trust, people who serve the same Commander, people dedicated and equipped to help strengthen our relationship with Him.

This may require that we overcome the risk or "static" to establish our first contact. But that's a small price, for when we meet with other people on His team, we begin to experience benefits we never thought possible.

God calls His people, those who have placed their faith in Christ, family. And God has designed His family to love, encourage, and equip one another. Individuals within God's family face struggles, challenges, and problems like any family. During such times family members help each other, utilizing their strengths, resources, and abilities. Any of us, though, who are "going it alone" will be stranded without access to the support from each other that God intends. Captain O'Grady was stranded but not forgotten. He was alone but not without support. Those days weren't easy, but he came through - thanks to his 'family'. Without them enabled by God, he had no hope.

Wouldn't it be great to have someone, a family member, available to give you hope? You may not need it just now, but sooner or later a time of question and doubt will come. In such a time it would be great to have a family member look you in the eye and say: "I understand your feelings... or question... or situation..., I've been there myself! I know some resources (or perhaps a person) which can help!" Beyond this you have the tremendous benefit of a caring family member who is praying specifically for you in this time of need.

So... what's the next step?

1. Communicate with God, like Captain O'Grady did. He is the One who can help when no one else can! Then...

2. Communicate with others who serve the same Commander. He frequently chooses to use His soldiers to help. While we can't supply you with a radio..., the enclosed Response Card will work even better. When you fill it out and mail it, it will end up in the hands of a caring person whom you can trust. Lifehelp desires to see you encouraged further in your spiritual journey. You can trust Lifehelp to find the resources that will effectively minister to the spiritual and emotional needs of you and your family. They have helped many find balance, focus, and direction in their lives.

Without taking the small risk of communicating with others, we may never experience the HUGE benefits we enjoy when we build friendships with His family. But when we take that small step, we become part of the team that faces the challenges of life together. When we become part of the team, we learn as we grow to be a help and resource for others. Then someday we can be a hero to someone else who exclaims: "Thanks for risking your life for me!"