By Pat Dooris
12/29/06
There's one story we did not tell during the rescue attempts for three climbers on Mt. Hood.
But we tried.
In the midst of the worst weather yet on Mt. Hood, Oregon, the brother of stranded mountain climber Kelly James proclaimed to the world that he and his family had not lost hope.
"We have faith in God," Frank James said.
But he added, "there is little doubt---that our faith is being refined these days. We understand how severe these weather conditions are--but our faith remains strong," he said.
Frank James made those comments December 13, 2006.
Four days later, December 17, search teams found the body of his brother, Kelly James, in a snow cave near the mountain's summit.
The bodies of his two climbing partners are still missing as I write this on December 29th.
I met and interviewed Frank during the search for his brother and was moved by his faith.
We don't often do stories that deal with spirituality and God but those are obviously central parts of the James family life.
I was pleased when I pitched the story the next day here at KGW TV and News Director Rod Gramer gave the green light to do it.
Unfortunately, it never ran. The wind storm hit Portland and the Northwest that night, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands and toppling hundreds of trees.
But I still think its an important story---and the way the James family clung to their faith is something we can all learn from, according to the experts.
To report the story, I went to Providence Hospital in Portland and interviewed two chaplins, both Roman Catholic priests, who deal with loss, grief and faith on a daily basis.
Fr. Herb Wheatley remembers 20 years ago when he was chaplin at the hospital. On a terrible spring day seven students and one adult died during a climbing disaster involving the Oregon Epilscopal School on Mt. Hood.
Rescue crews rushed one of the survivors, 16 year old Giles Thompson, to Providence Hospital.
Fr. Wheatley said faith helped Thompson's mother as she struggled with the tragedy.
"Alot of times what I find is that people get through almost imposible experiences simply on the faith experience," said Wheatley.
"They trust that this God who they are related to in some way---thru a religous tradition, has been there for them in the past and he will be there in the present," said Wheately.
During the search for the Kelly James, Brian Hall, and Jerry "Nikko" Cooke, priests at Providence Hospital prayed for climbers and their families daily at mass.
Fr. Jon Buffington, another chaplin at Providence says faith is the thing that gives people balance in a crisis.
"Alot of times when some great tragedy strikes you're just totally disoriented," he said. "But if you have a faith in a higher power in God--a church faith---a faith community--- there's a place to go grab hands...a place to hold on to to keep you with a sense of balance," he said.
The faith of Frank James and his family was on display each day of the search. They openly talked of God and praying as a group for their missing loved ones.
Fr. Buffington says many Christians are comforted by feeling God is there with them during their trials.
"In some traditions God is way out there and doesent really care. He's the watch maker. Sets it in motion and goes away," he said.
"But Christians believe God is very personal," said Fr. Buffington. "He's with us in the midst of what we're going through."
Karen James seemed to exemplify that when she spoke to reporters about the faith of the missing men and their connection with God.
"We are so blessed to know them and they all love God so much. And we know that God is with them, God is watching over them and that he is going to watch over them in this, one of the most difficult times of our lives," she said.
Fr. Buffington says the James' family faith will give them some comfort as they grieve.
"Remember that people who are lost are not really alone. They may be lost to us but they can never be really lost to our loving God," said Fr. Buffington. "And that gives me comfort, I know it gives comfort to their families with their strong faiths."
Congratulations on having the courage to talk about faith publicly; I'm sorry we didn't get to see a full story. I find it so sad when people do not allow themselves to have faith, to hope for something better; they deny themselves great comfort by being too 'logical' and only trusting what they can touch and see. There is so much more to life that can bring you peace and joy, things that you have to just 'feel'.
Hi Pat: I don't know if you remember me, I took your class at the Oregon Army National Guard Military Dept....the newswriting class, back in 91 I think it was...I introduced you to my son the summer before last when we saw you down at Pioneer Courthouse Square.....I wanted to come in here and comment on this story, thanks so much for sharing this.........we all do need hope, especially in the world today........GBY Pat.....=o) I will be watching your blog....cool idea, whoever thought of this. I had people praying for those climbers all over the USA.....even people in Australia were praying...anyway...we all prayed and we all cried when the bad news came in....take care.~Laurie~
So sorry to hear that your story didn't get to run. My family and I watched closely and prayed from KS as the news unfolded about these men and their families. I was searching for the latest news as our networks have dropped the updates on the 2 still missing. It's so apparent that God has allowed this terrible disaster in order to bring about Salvation for those who witness the great testimony of these men's families. I wish I could tell them how deeply their faith has affected others; I hope they know and find even more comfort in that. I truly believe that that is why God allows great tragity in our lives. He brings us through it and others find Him by watching how we as Christians handle each blow. I speak from experience..we lost our newborn son this year. He was stillborn due to a rare syndrome and we knew months in advance that he would not live. So many people were overwhelmed by how God kept us strong and showered us with His grace. God bless this family and you for your story. Any time you get the opportunity to put the message of Faith out there, do it. It's all that matters. Thank you.
I guess as each person grows in a greater understanding of God and our faith becomes 'a central part of our lives', reporting those experiences will seem very natural. It was Frank James' honesty and commitment under such distress that spoke to me and actually gave me hope that the climbers will be found. If that's reporting spirituality, bring it on!!
Good Evening, I read your story and was deeply touched. I have been praying for Kelly James, Brian Hall and Jerry Cooke everyday in my prayers. I know this is something they enjoy doing. Reading the faith, I have strenghtened my belief, sometimes our faith just goes up and down during trial, but after reading the story, its amazing. Hopefully Brian and Jerry will be found.