WMM Requests Support for Missionary and Daughter Involved in Stateside Car Accident
- World Missions Ministries Communications Office
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. —World Missions Ministries (WMM) requests prayer and financial support for IPHC missionary Ben West and daughter Ariel who were involved in a major car accident on Thursday evening, March 14, resulting in the hospitalization of both.
Ben and Ariel had traveled to the States for a short visit with plans to return to the Wests’ service country of Peru on March 19, when the unforeseen happened.
Though still healing and in much pain, Ben was released from the hospital on March 17. For the time being, Ariel remains in the hospital, facing injuries to her extremities and additional procedures and rehabilitation in the days and weeks ahead. According to Ben, those who have seen the damage to the vehicle say they are blessed to be alive.
“On behalf of the West family and WMM, please know this is an unusual situation,” Steve Cofer, director of missionary care, stated in a letter to the Wests’ donors.
Per missionary policy, WMM missionaries are provided with an insurance policy option when sent to the field. To accommodate specific needs, some missionaries choose to obtain insurance coverage in the country where they serve so they can receive local benefits. However, international insurance is mandatory for all missionary travel and time spent outside their country of assignment. In this instance, in the haste of travel, the missionary opted to not obtain the required insurance.
“Ben’s choice to not obtain international coverage on this trip may not have been an issue; however, the unexpected happened, which has become a devastating experience for the whole family,” Cofer wrote. “We must support them through the challenges ahead and be a source of financial support and prayer for Ben and Ariel as they continue to recover and heal.”
At present, the financial need is not known but is expected to be ongoing due to hospital stays, surgeries and procedures, and rehabilitation. World Missions Ministries has approved the following avenue to receive financial assistance for hospital and medical expenses.
Funds can be received immediately online at give.iphc.org/project/west-ben-personal-gift, or by check made out to WMM with #21041G in the memo line and sent directly to WMM at PO Box 12609, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73157, or through an IPHC local church or conference.
World Missions thanks you for your continued support of the West family. May God bless them abundantly through our combined efforts and His provision in their day of need.
