The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. — Psalm 34:18

We sit here today, more than a week from tragedy and still there is no closure.

We sit here today, more than a week from tragedy and a Vicksburg family now simply seeks closure.

Last Tuesday, the Vicksburg community was shocked with the news that 22-year-old Michael Collins, and the large truck he was driving, slipped into the Mississippi River.

To date, the truck has been removed from the river; Michael’s body remains missing.

For days following the tragic accident, friends, family, emergency officials and volunteers have scoured the river and riverbanks. Sadly, Michael’s body remains missing.

O’ Lord have mercy on me in my anguish. My eyes are red from weeping; my health is broken from sorrow. — Psalms 31:9

We can never fully understand the heartbreak and sorrow the Collins family and those close to Michael must be feeling.

The anguish of losing a son, a friend, is far more than anyone could appreciate unless it was their friend, their brother, their son who was missing.

We know  the hope of rescuing or finding Michael alive is waning, and simply finding his body would provide a sense of closure that any family would long for.

So as we continue to hope for that closure, as we continue to long for the eventual discovery of Michael’s body, we offer our prayers to the family for their comfort, for their peace.

Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted. — Matthew 5:4

As the search continues, we offer our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the first responders, emergency officials, law enforcement agencies and those dedicated volunteers who have joined in.

There is no doubt your service, your professionalism and your dedication has in someway been a small comfort to the family.

They are not alone, and you have shown them that every day since the tragedy.