We all have made that one wrong turn we all wish we never took. The turn that either cost us our life, future or families. The wrong turn either makes us stronger or weaker...This post (The wrong turn) was inspired by Kati Kim’s story (Wrong Turn). Kati Kim’s improbable survival story. The story is so touching; it made me realize how wonderful God is. God watches us all day and he is always by our sides, he protects us from all evil that want to harm us. God is so so so wonderful.
Kati, James and their two children (Penelope and Sabine) Kim went to Seattle, Washington for thanksgiving holiday (25th of November, 2006). On their way back to California, San Francisco where they reside, the Kim’s missed a turnoff from Interstate 5 to Oregon Route 42, a main route to the Oregon coast. Instead of returning to the exit, they consulted a highway map and picked a secondary route that skirted the wild rouge wilderness, a remote area of southwestern Oregon.
It was during winter, so they encountered a very heavy snow when they made a turn by mistake to bear camp, a road that leads to nowhere. A road that was loosely paved, it is like driving to the end of the world. The road had a gate that was to be closed but because of some people that may have gone in by mistake, the gate was opened.
After driving and driving, the family finally stopped due to fatigue and bad weather. Snow started falling and it immobilized their car a station wagon, the Kim’s kept warm by running its engine. There was no reception for them to make a call. They were there for 3days with neither water nor food. Kati Kim had to breastfeed her 4year old child and her 3months old baby; she was practically turning her body to calories for her children (mother’s love and God’s guidance).
When the vehicle ran out of fuel, they made a campfire of dried wood, magazines and Penelope’s favorite teddy bear. The friends and family of Kati Kim were worried as to why they hadn't call to them they were home, they called their cell phone but all to no avail.
Later, they burned their car's tires to signal rescuers. Hoping someone will see them in the wilderness. Search efforts began on the 30th of November 2006, Mr. Kim's father, Spencer Kim, spent several days looking for the family along area highways and roads, all to no avail. After 7 days with no water or food, James Kim decided to go get help for his family.
The search for the Kim’s family was still going on. After 2days when James did not return Kati decided to go and get help too, she carried her two children along with her. As they were walking on a lonely road, a volunteer local pilot sighted Kati and her two children on the 4th of December, 2006. The rescue team came to help them. Kati asked for James and the rescue team said they didn't see him. James was now missing. They had to track the route he took.
On the 6th of December 2006, James Kim’s body was found lying by Big windy creek. He had died, he died of hypothermia (a condition in which core temperature drops below the required temperature for normal metabolism and body functions which is defined as 35.0 °C (95.0 °F).). He wanted to get help for his family but his body was so weak, he needed fluids to get him going but he had none because he had been dehydrated for days.
People where asking why didn't they turn back to where they coming from? Why didn't James turn back when he didn't get help? So many whys? You can’t blame someone for the trying to help his family. Don’t ever blame someone for his or her situation because you don’t know what they going through. There is this Yoruba adage that says “Eni kan lomo” it simply means “You can’t know how it feels except you are the affected person”.
10 whole days in a car without food or water during winter with two little children that are so fragile, can’t you see God is wonderful? He was with the Kim’s all through their trying period. After watching the documentary of what happened to the Kim’s, I asked myself would I have done in that situation and then I realize I will hope in God because there is no on else to turn to than him.
Let us all be grateful for the air that we breathe, it is only by Gods doing. Let us always remember that there is only one God and he is always watching us.
