They say time flies when you’re having fun. And sometimes it seems to fly by anyway… fun or not.
Last week certainly flew by, with a lot of fun and laughter. We were privileged to be able to host a team of 6 young people (5 guys and 1 girl plus 2 very long-suffering leaders) from our home church in Worcester, England. It really was a huge joy to have them here, especially as we have known them since they were 8 or 9 years old. They threw themselves in to everything with enthusiasm and servant-hearted compassion and were loved everywhere they went.
But the week was book-ended by two sudden deaths, one at either end. As we were waiting at the airport to meet the team on their arrival, I heard that a colleague’s husband had been shot and killed, leaving behind his wife and four children. And on the morning of the team’s departure, we had news of the death of a 19 year-old young man from our local community, killed in a car accident in America the day after his wedding, along with his bride. We had met him once, only briefly, but he had left an impression on us with his good-nature, impeccable manners and charm. He had a heart to serve God and was committed to following Jesus wherever that might take him.
So, a week of highs and lows, and a reminder that we never know how many our days will be, but God has numbered each one and written them in His book. It matters far less whether we live to 99 or are taken at 19 – the only thing that matters is whether our eternity is secure in Christ.
Thanks for coming to see and serve here, guys. We loved our time with you. We’ve loved watching you grow up to be fun, crazy, delightful young adults. But more than anything else, we are so glad that you have committed to follow Jesus and trusted him with your life and with your eternal destiny. There really is no other way.
African Crossroad 