Blow out on Rainbow Bridge by: France M. McCrory-Meservy

 
 
Westbound approach to Rainbow Bridge in Orange County, Texas. Veterans Memorial Bridge is on the left.
 

The Rainbow Bridge is a cantilever bridge crossing the Neches River in Southeast Texas (29.9805 -93.8703) just upstream from Sabine Lake. It allows State Highway 87 and State Highway 73 to connect Port Arthur in Jefferson County on the southwest bank of the river with Bridge City in Orange County on the northeast bank.

Construction on the bridge began in 1936 under the guidance of the Texas State Highway Department. Due to concerns by the upstream city of Beaumont about the bridge posing a threat to ship navigation, the Rainbow Bridge was built with a 680 foot (210 m) main span. In addition, it has a vertical clearance of 177 feet (54 m),[1] which was intended to allow the tallest ship in the US Navy, the USS Patoka, passage under the bridge (however, the Patoka never did).

The bridge was completed on September 8, 1938. The nearby town of Prairie View took on the name "Bridge City" in response. Initially named the Port Arthur-Orange Bridge, it received its current name in 1957. The bridge was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_Bridge_(Texas) 

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In the summer of 1963 5 college classmates and I went to a drive in movie in Bridge City.  Since we had to cross Rainbow Bridge (more than 45 degree incline up & down), I was asked to drive because everyone else was afraid to drive across the bridge. 

By the time the movie was over, a heavy fog had rolled in.  It was so foggy I had a hard time seeing.  Just as I topped the bridge, we had a blowout.  I knew I could not touch the brake and had to coast down the bridge.  I geared down to second gear and that helped slow the down hill momentum and prayed there was no one in front of us. 

As soon as we were off the bridge, I pulled over so we could change the tire.  As we were taking the tire out of the trunk, a car pulled over behind us.  The man offered to change the tire.

After he changed the tire, we were thanking him.  He asked if we would do a favor for him, "Will you please pray for my son and the rest of his scout troop (5 - 6 year olds) who are lost in the fog in the ship channel?" 

We could not believe he had stopped to help 6 girls when his son was missing. 

When we got back in the car, we held hands and with tears running down our cheeks, we prayed that God would keep the children safe and return them to their parents quickly.   

We had never seen such an example of kindness, goodness & self-control.  This man was an example of what a Christian act is.  In the face of what could be the greatest loss in his life, he did what God would have him do help girls change a tire.  He was concerned that a not so nice man would stop to help us. 

I still get all emotional when I think of how he sacrificed his time to help us when he was hurting.  I don't know his name; but God does.  I pray he will always be blessed.  His Children were found safe.

Rom 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Heb 13:16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

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