Drowning victim's family gifts HEART with new boat motor

The Hutterian Emergency Aquatic Response Team is praising the Lord after being blessed in their own time of need after a training incident.

Last week during a training session, Hutterian Emergency Aquatic Response Team's (HEART) main boat's motor was damaged, saying they were shocked to learn it would cost $8,000 for the parts and take a month to get them in.

"We didn’t know what to do in this situation. We need our boat to be able to respond quickly should the need arise especially during these hot summer days when drowning accidents tend to happen more frequently," HEART says in a Facebook post. "Feeling very helpless, we prayed to God asking him for his help and guidance."

Remembering Danny Lavoie, a man whose body they recovered after he fell through the ice in March, HEART reached out to his brother Justin. Danny and Justin deal motors like the one HEART was in need of and asked if Justin knew where they could get a motor on short notice. The next morning, HEART got a call from Justin, saying they have the motor and they would install it at cost for them.

"Before leaving for home I asked for the bill. Justin tells me it’s all good. No cost! No bill! WHAT!!? I can’t believe it!! Not only that, it comes with a lifetime, 24/7, seven days a week, 365 days a year free maintenance and service included! All in love and memory of Red!"

That motor will bear a sticker with Danny's nickname, saying "powered by Red." HEART says they will honour his memory.

Prayers were answered as HEART's motor was replaced. (HEART/Facebook)

"Many families will receive help in their darkest hour because of what the Lavoie family did for HEART! Why would God be so good to us!? I don’t know. We don’t deserve to be so blessed with friends who would show us this level of kindness! It’s overwhelming, almost unbelievable, still, it’s true!"

On Sunday, HEART used this boat to help recover a four-year-old from Netley Colony near Petersfield who drowned in a quarry.

"Please pray for this family as they learn to cope with this tragedy. Our consolation is that he is now in the arms of Jesus."