Richard Norby--Survivor of the Brussels Terrorist Attack

I was able to listen to Richard Norby speak tonight about his experiences during the terrorist attack last year in Brussels. He had pictures of the attack and some news footage that I had watched when it happened last year. But to hear his up close and personal experiences and impressions was unforgettable.

He gave the details of that day, how he'd been at the airport that morning with three missionaries and they were doing all the normal airport business of getting boarding passes and such, when the explosion happened just over Richard's left shoulder. The impact lifted them all off their feet and he remembered ceiling tiles falling and soot everywhere. Nine seconds later, the second blast detonated. He tried to stand up twice, but fell back each time because most of his left calf was gone. He lifted up his hands and thought he had soot on them, but it was actually his burned skin. In spite of all that, he called his wife and assured her he only had a broken leg, then waited for help to arrive.

With so many wounded waiting for triage and ambulances, he had a little while to wait, in which time his companions found him and gave him a blessing. He said how grateful he was for that moment, and combined with some other experiences, the Brussels airport became sacred ground for him, where he experienced something so profound---prayers were offered and answers given. Once he got to the hospital, however, they realized the true extent of his injuries. 35% of his body had second and third degree burns, he would need skin grafts on his face, arm, and neck, pins in his leg, and faced months of recovery. They even had to put him into a medically induced coma so they could treat him.

But, the one thing that struck him, he said, as he lay there on the floor of the bombed airport, was that he wanted to be aware of everything around him. He wanted to really see and feel so he could thank God for the miracle of being alive. He experienced some other miracles and my heart was touched as he shared them. It was an amazing night that I won't soon forget because it reinforced my belief in miracles, the goodness of people, and in God's watchcare over us.

Terrorism is something our world deals with too often, but terrorists will never win as long as there are people with courage and resilient spirits that won't be beaten down by fear. I'm so glad I had the opportunity tonight to hear one of those people. It truly stirred my soul.