December 19, 2013 Reverend Ron Olson, wife Michell and daughter Maija were travelling north from Bowman, North Dakota to Dickonsin, North Dakota.  A van following a snowplow got lost in snow fog and collided with the van the Olsons were in.  The Olsons had extensive injuries and spent several months in medical facilities in North Dakota and Minnesota.

Reflections from Reverend Ron Olson

Most of you know that it has been just over a year now since our accident in southwest North Dakota.  I was actually heading to a “cluster” ministry meeting on that day, and Michelle and our daughter, Maija, were coming along so that they could pick up their glasses at an optical store in Dickinson. 

I mention the meeting because I believe it was one of our fellow “cluster” pastors, Dan Freed, at that time the pastor at Dickinson UMC, who became aware of our collision first (probably because I didn’t show up as expected!).  Very soon after, it was Keith Nelson, my District Superintendent, and the Bismarck and Mandan area pastors and hospital chaplains who knew, and then the news exploded across the Conference.  For this extended family of ours, the Dakotas Conference, we are so very grateful!  That is because just as much or more than the physical healing that God provided our bodies and our minds, it was the fellowship of believers fervently praying and giving in so many practical ways that brought about emotional and even spiritual healing.  Your names are far too many for me to list here, but God knows who you are.  The support you gave us was an overflowing demonstration of God’s love that we will never forget!

And then I’d want to extend that thanks to the Minnesota Conference as well, as one of our Minneapolis pastors in particular, Chip Nielsen, provided support in the form of rides, visits, pizza, and chocolate!!  What a boost that was to our spirits!

So as we “celebrate” one year since the accident, let us all celebrate God’s goodness to us in ministry to others as we enter this new year.  Blessings to you all!

Article in Bowman County Pioneer

By BRYCE MARTIN, Editor | Bowman County Pioneer

Ron and Michelle Olson said they forgive the man that left their 11-year-old daughter paraplegic and changed each of their lives.

But Michelle admits it is a constant, daily battle.

One year ago to the day, the couple and their daughter, Maija, loaded into their minivan and started out on a drive to Dickinson. Ron, pastor at United Methodist Church in Bowman, drove the family as Michelle took a nap in the passenger’s seat and Maija played I Spy with My Little Eye in the back.

Photo: The Olson family—Ron, Michelle and Maija—walk into Bowman United Methodist Church. [Photo by Bryce Martin | Pioneer]

It was to be an uneventful trip. Michelle was going to get a new pair of eyeglasses and, while it was cold and breezy outside, the roads were relatively free of ice and snow.

Their car slowed through the speed limits in the town of Amidon and continued their drive six miles east before they reached a snowplow traveling in the opposite lane on Highway 85.

“I opened my eyes a little bit and I thought, oh, here comes a snow plow. Oh, there’s a vehicle behind it. Good, everybody’s lights are on so we’ll all see each other,” Michelle said.

Photo: The Olson family—Ron, Michelle and Maija—stand in the Bowman United Methodist Church. [Photo by Bryce Martin | Pioneer]

Then the unbelievable occurred and in the blink of an eye the Olsons’ lives changed forever.

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