The Journey Continues: A Good Samaritan Story – Zane Juarez
My journey this week takes me to the San Marcos Regional Airport and an event that occurred on Thursday, September 24, 2020, involving the collision of two small airplanes and the rescue of an injured pilot.
Enter: Zane Juarez, a young man on his way home from work as a diesel mechanic/bus driver for the Hays Consolidated Independent School District. Zane said: “I noticed two airplanes attempting to land and flying too low — both planes literally fell out of the sky. I had no choice — I stopped my car and ran to the crash site, where a Cessna 172 was completely flipped over, and the second plane, a Team Rockets F-1 Experimental aircraft, that was becoming quickly engulfed in flames.
“I discovered that the instructional pilot in the Cessna was trapped inside — a jammed door and hanging upside down with tension on his seatbelt made removal a challenge. This called for deliberate, quick action, with the glare and the heat from the adjacent burning aircraft. I thought, ‘this aircraft could also ignite into an inferno of destruction.’ The instructor was removed, and both instructor and student pilot were taken to the local hospital. The pilot later called me with a message of thanks and gratefulness. My life was influenced (by this event)… I am more aware of enjoying life and how precious it is.”
Zane’s story reminded me of parable of The Good Samaritan (Luke 10), who came to the aid of the wounded man by the side of the road. In this case, the wounded man inside the airplane caught the attention of Zane traveling on the road by the Airport. Zane’s actions are a result of what was in his heart as he stopped and ministered to the wounded. His life verses are Psalm 26:2 — “Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.” And Proverbs 4:23 — “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
In this parable, Jesus explained that anyone wounded is needy and is our neighbor. Our challenge is to minister to those we know who are wounded or needy. May God bless Zane Juarez, a real hero.
