Rescued

Along with people from all over the world, I have followed with great interest the rescue of the 12 boys, ages 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old soccer coach who were trapped in Tham Luan Nang Non Cave in northern Thailand for more than two weeks.  After the Wild Boars soccer “football” team was reported missing, volunteers and experts, from several countries, came to offer their assistance and advice.  From the beginning of the news that the boys were missing, little hope was given that all could be rescued alive.  After almost two weeks, two British divers found the missing boys and coach 2½ miles deep into the cave.  They were soon able to supply the team with food, water, and supplies.  In addition, a medic and 3 Navy SEALs stayed with the group until all were rescued.  There were 19 divers involved as well of numerous doctors, drivers, emergency personnel, and other volunteers.  Sergeant Major Saman Kunan, a Thai ex-SEAL, died when he ran out of oxygen after delivering oxygen tanks to the trapped athletes.  The other divers committed to continuing the rescue so that Kunan’s life was not given in vain.

There were several challenges and additional dangers for the boys and coach due to the monsoon like rains and the cave continuing to flood in different areas.  The soccer team was forced to retreat deeper into the cave to higher and dryer ground.  Some areas were now flooded floor to ceiling for quite a distance, thus the need for oxygen tanks for a safe exit.  Because more rain and flooding were predicted, the time table for a successful recovery was closing in on the rescuers.  The cave offered other challenges as well.  Some places were 3’ wide and 2’ tall which were too narrow for SCUBA tanks and the full climbing gear to be worn. In places where the water had receded, the rocks were covered with mud and were very slippery.  Also, the current was very strong in places; and there were some stretches where the divers and boys would need to be under water for 30 minutes to escape.

During the rescue, each boy wore diving gear and was tethered to two divers.  Since none of the boys could swim, their lives were dependent on the experts.  A rope had been placed at the start of the cave and continued on to the location of the team.  The divers constantly had one hand on the rope to guide the way to safety.  After a long, intense three days, the rescue was achieved.  Acting Governor Narongsak Osatanakorn oversaw the rescue operation and reported, “The situation went beyond just being a rescue mission and became a symbol of unity among mankind.  Everyone worked together without discrimination of race or religion, as the ultimate goal was to save the youth football team.”

Even though the Tham Luan Nang Non cave is a popular one to explore, Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha will now enforce more safety measures, add more lights in the cave, as well as have personnel monitor the entrance and exit to the cave.

Just as the boys and coach were dependent on others for their rescue, we too are in need of a Savior.  What we can’t do to save ourselves, Jesus was willing to give His life for so we could live, have fellowship with God, and live with Him for eternity.  Because of His great love for us, may we be willing to eagerly volunteer to be on His rescue team so others can be saved, too.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Mark 10:45

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:6-8

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Galatians 1:3-5