There are times in life when death seems to be prevalent. Since coming to Africa we have heard about many people who have lost their lives just in the last year. The first was the death of a lady’s husband who attends our church, shot by a thief (which happened during our second month here while living with Pastor Stephen). Then the lady who sells us vegetables lost her son-in-law, killed in a car crash. Soon after, Paul’s friend, Ken (who cuts his hair),lost his brother. Not that long ago, our neighbor’s daughter, Nina, passed away after being hospitalized for being sick – she was only 11 years old. It was a shock to us all. Recently, our gardener’s mother died…and two days later an AIM AIR plane went down…
Now our hearts are mourning the loss of two dear men who have dedicated their lives to serving the Lord. Frank Toews and Ryan Williams, both missionaries with AIM AIR, went home to be with the Lord as a result of the plane crash. Paul worked with them every day and I was in a Bible study with the wives. It is hard to imagine that their time on earth is over…each father leaves behind four young children. Words are inadequate to sum up emotions we are going through – we feel for the ones left behind. Frank and Ryan’s death was a tragedy in every sense of the word. It is painful to see the grieving of those close to them, especially their children. It breaks the heart. Frank and Ryan’s lives glorified God…and now we witness glory in death – God is being glorified in all of this. We see it in the lives of those who knew these two precious men, and even in the lives of those who didn’t personally know them. People from all over the world have been joined together in prayer for the families. There has been constant support as people have stepped up, allowing God to use them as His hands to minister to various needs of the families – from meals to babysitting, running errands to sitting with the wives. From the beginning there was a commitment that the wives would not been left alone, including scheduling another lady to stay with them over night. The missionary family is tired but God has given the strength to push on and help – it has been a beautiful expression of God’s love. My thoughts through out this time are toward a Compassionate, loving God who is more than able…and in complete control of all things. In the midst of sorrow, we all can rejoice because Frank and Ryan are ALIVE in Christ Jesus, living in the everlasting presence of the ALMIGHTY GOD.
Our boys are processing this tragedy since they know the children who “lost their daddy”. Shortly after hearing the news that Frank was dead (Ryan died a week later, suffering fatal burns), Petr came into the kitchen and said, “Mom, I am praying that Jesus will raise Frank from the dead – He did it for His best friend, and Jesus can do anything!” (Petr was referring to the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead) Oh, the faith of a young child!!! Petr had a smile on his face that showed he believed Jesus could do it! I explained God already answered his prayer as Frank has been raised from the dead because the Word of God says, “…whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Praise God!!!
