Belgian student shares miraculous story of parents surviving attacks

During Convocation on Wednesday, March 23, junior Julia Young, one of 11 Belgian Liberty University students, relayed the story of how her parents survived a bombing at the Brussels Airport in Zaventem on Tuesday.

The attack, which included a string of bombings at the airport and a metro station, left over 30 dead, according to news reports.

Young explained the uncertainty she felt early Tuesday when she learned of the attacks, knowing her parents were at the airport. She eventually was able to reach them through FaceTime. The first blast, she said, went off 10-15 feet in front of her parents as they were waiting in the check-in line, lifting them off of the ground. Her mother does not remember the initial event. Young’s father then recovered enough to carry his wife to safety before the second blast went off.

Both of Young’s parents had each of their eardrums blown out. Both sustained some head injuries, and Young’s father also received some burns on his head.

“This is a miracle that they are alive,” Young said.

While Young’s parents were outside the airport, they ministered to others in the midst of chaos, praying over people in pain and sharing with them the hope that there is a God who loves everyone and sustains us through the darkness of this world.

Young shared a message from her parents with the student body. In French, one of Belgium’s national languages, Young also lifted up the victims and her country in prayer. The university community has extended its prayers and support to those who have been affected by this tragedy.