La Habra Christian Group Safe But Rattled After Surviving Brussels Airport Attack

LA HABRA (CBSLA.com) — A Christian group from La Habra is safe but rattled after they were in the Brussels airport during Tuesday's terrorist attack.

Taryne Renee Esslinger and other missionaries affiliated with Whittier Christian High School and were connecting through Brussels on their way to Liberia when the bombs were detonated. Esslinger's younger brother, Brett, was by her side.

They were unharmed, but deeply affected by their proximity to those who were killed and injured.

Esslinger and hundreds of other attack survivors were ushered into a hangar, where they spent the night.

Among the many discomforts, Esslinger and her group weren't dressed for the cold weather.

After a helpful stranger loaned her a phone charger, Esslinger poured her emotions into a Twitter post.

"We all are trying to keep our smiles," she said in the post.

Her father, Rolland Esslinger, said he's been experiencing a wide range of emotions and is grateful his children are safe.

"I've been fighting anger about what happened to all those other families that weren't like mine and OK," he said. "That's been a challenge."

Their group, Containers Of Hope, which comprised of alumni of Whittier Christian High School, as well as a current student and teacher, plan to continue their trip to Africa.

The explosions on Tuesday at the airport and in a subway killed 31 people, plus three suicide bombers, and wounded more than 270 people.