Tuesday, June 17, 2003

Wilfrido

Wilfrido was a 32 year old man who died in my
car as we raced from Yuty to a hospital 2 hours
away. I have been with several people at thier
deaths, and it is never the phisical aspect of
the person dieing that leaves an impression on
me, rather it is what happens spiritually. I was
present when Wilfrido stepped from this life into
an eternal life of torment in Hell, for he did
not know the Lord. As his mother wailed with
sorrow and his cousin shouted in anger at having
lost a friend, we made the hour trip back to his
house. Waves of deepest sorrow flowed over me and
I wonder how many must die, before the Lord will
give us our first convert here in Ita Angu'a.

Two days later while at a Catholic prayer
service for Wilfrido, a neighbor lady came and
asked me to read the Bible with the greiving
mother. I was able to talk about the importance
of not only having faith in times like these, but
to have faith in the right thing, or person, in
this case: Jesus Christ.

Death is real, but our Lord gives victory over
even this. Plead with us before the cross, for
the many in Ita Angu'a and the surronding
communites that do not know Jesus.