Since returning to teach in another city in China I have stayed in communication with her, but over the last several weeks it has decreased. I sent her text messages and did not receive a reply. So I text messaged her classmate to ask about her. She replied by giving me Red’s number. I tried to text Red again.
Text to Red, 10:46 AM—June 9: “How are you Red?”
Reply from Red, 9:52 PM—June 9: “In the hospital. I am very tried.” (I think she meant “tired”)
Call to Red, 9:59 PM—June 9: I called her phone. No answer.
I never heard back and meant to keep trying. But I never contacted her again.
Today, a text from her classmate, 1:15 PM—June 17: “I want to tell you a very sad sad news that Red has gone yesterday.”
I was in class. My heart dropped. Minutes later I called to confirm the text. Red passed away yesterday. She was around 20 years old.
The questions came screaming. How? Why? What? Really?
The answers came softly. Be still and know that I am God. My ways are higher than your ways. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord.
As soon as class dismissed I went to the train ticket booth near my school and, with the help of a student (who could speak to the nice train-ticket-lady in Chinese), purchased train tickets. So I leave in about 15 hours for the 28-hour train ride from my city to attend the funeral.
Please ask the Father to:
1. Salvation of souls. (I was already able to talk to my student who helped me buy train tickets). It’s a sobering reality to write that I do not know about Red’s soul. To my knowledge she never made a profession, but I sincerely hope otherwise. I just don’t know.
2. Sanctification of believers. There is a time and purpose for everything. Ask that this time will not be wasted, and that He will use this to conform others and me to His Son. Ask that we will continue to hope in Him and trust His ways. Ask that anger would be directed at sin, the cause of the curse, and not at Him, the Redeemer from the curse.
3. Most importantly, for the glorification of His name. Ask for continued opportunities with former students in another city, as well as my current students whom I see daily. They, as I related in the previous update, have questions. Ask that their questions would continue, and that I would have wisdom to answer rightly and reflect well upon the Truth.
Thank you so much.
Still hoping with you,
Buddy, serving in China.
Dear Family and Friends,
As always, time goes by so quick. The spring semester flew by and now I am in the process of moving to a new city. After the whirlwind of activities over the last few months, I finally have a few minutes to catch my breath before summer camp starts so I thought I’d take a moment to update you on how He is working… Read More....
School has begun! I started teaching on Monday of this week. I am teaching in the English department of my school and am very excited to be working with my students. I have loved all my students from year one to now but because these kids are English majors their English is a little better so we can discuss more in-depth topics and get to know each other a little… Read More....
Over the last week I was privileged to take a couple trips to other places of interest in the northeast. As we drove across the land to our destination, I looked out upon miles and miles of well-manicured corn rows. No land is wasted; every square inch is used to grow something that is useful for living; very little if any land is left to grow just plain grass. Everything… Read More....
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