• BC Christian News • FEBRUARY ISSUE 2000 • VOL. 20 #2 • Formerly "Christian Info News" •

Faith rises out of Abbotsford teen tragedy
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By David F. Dawes

The Abbotsford Senior choir performed January 28 at a tribute to fellow students (left to right) Sabrina Blahut, Matthew Peters and Gina Petrynka.

A TRAGIC ACCIDENT which claimed three Abbotsford teenagers last month has had an extraordinary impact on the community.

On Friday evening, January 21, a Ford van carrying eight young people was travelling a Sumas Mountain road when it skidded on black ice and smashed into a lamp standard. Five of the teens sustained minor injuries. Gina Petrynko, Sabrina Blahut and Matthew Peters died in the crash.

That Sunday, before all the broken glass had been swept away, a roadside memorial to the three 15-year-olds was set up at the side of McKee Road. A white wooden cross was erected, with a heart containing the victims' names and a comforting sentiment: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes -- Revelation 21:4."

Weeping teenagers stood in circles, embracing; more crosses were set up, and the area was adorned with white carnations, ribbons, bouquets, teddy bears and burning candles. A poem at the scene asked: "How could this happen to people so sweet?" A note from Matthew's parents said: "It hurts so much to let you go, but we're so glad you came!"

The three victims had been students at Abbotsford Senior secondary; on the first school day after the accident, cars lined McKee road as students gathered to pay their respects. "There was not a lot of classes," said Abbotsford Senior principal Glen Roger the following day. "There was a lot of sitting, blank stares and hugging. The school is essentially not operating at this point." Within days of the accident, scholarships were being established in memory of the students.

Christian faith is one of the key elements to emerge in the media coverage. The Abbotsford News wrote: "Sabrina Blahut said she wanted to 'hear God's voice and be closer to him' a few days before she died . . . Her mother Corrie [said]: 'She wanted to hear God's voice and now she's had a direct call.'"

News columnist and Christian Reformed pastor Curtis Korver wrote: "On Friday night, God began grieving, too . . . God understands us. He has also lost a son."

A memorial was held January 28 at the Abbey Arts Centre; students and staff from other schools attended. Roger stated: "These kids were so special [that] they transcended this school." More than 700 people shared spontaneous applause, many tears and some laughter, as poems, songs, a slide show and speeches paid tribute to the three students.

Gina's mother, Vicki Petrynko, shared an email survey her daughter had answered. One question asked: "Do you believe in angels / God / heaven and hell / yourself?" Gina's reply was: 'Yes!'"

Vineyard recording artist Brian Doerksen, Matthew's uncle, sang a tribute he had written, entitled 'Matthew's Song.' Referring to his nephew's athletic prowess, he sang: "And you'll run forever in the place where no one dies."

High school teacher Vijay Manual, until recently the leader of the popular DOXA youth services at Abbotsford's Central Heights Church, emphasized the point that Christ was working through the tragedy.

Anna Blahut, Sabrina's sister, who was driving the car January 21, also spoke. Her voice breaking, she addressed those in the audience who had committed themselves to Christ since the accident. Asking them to stand, she stated: "This is not a time to hide anymore. Not to hide our faith and what we believe in. I can't hide it anymore." A number of young people stood in response.

Ten days after the tragedy, BCCN interviewed Mirko Blahut, Sabrina's brother, and his fiancee, Janette Reitsema, who was extremely close to Sabrina.

Mirko, who is studying to be a pastor at Northwest Baptist College, asserted: "I believe this whole thing has been part of God's sovereign plan. You can see that just by looking at the amount of people they knew. I mean, it could have happened to three kids who only knew five people; but instead, it was these three kids -- who knew all kinds of people throughout the whole Lower Mainland, and had a positive impact on them."

Janette, who works at Mission Alliance Church, extolled the compassion of the students. "This has been kids leading kids -- it's been Christian youth counselling their peers." She has dealt with her grief by sharing her testimony. At one church, she said, "some people walked in with death on their faces -- and left glowing with the glory of God."

Something similar, she said, happened at the memorial. "As a rule, God is not allowed in that school; you can't say the Lord's Prayer there. But God showed up. The memorial became a Christian event."

"This has strengthened my faith," said Mirko."It's given me an assurance that Jesus is real, and that everything the Bible says is true -- because of the impact these kids' lives had, because of the way the church has gathered around us, and because people have been encouraged to stand up for their faith."

Janette added: "At the memorial, Anna said the reason God took these lives was because of the souls being saved now through this. I know of at least 40 people who have received Jesus or recommitted to him as a result. I believe God chose these three kids because he's bringing revival to Abbotsford."

She concluded: "God is good. It's hard to say at a time like this, but God is very good."