I don't know how many of you have heard about the 10 Medics who were killed in Afghanistan but I knew one of them. I did not know him well but I remember him very clearly as a Senior Counselor at the camp I went to and worked at. He taught mini-bikes one one of my years there. We had to make up a name and Ashley was helping him so one of the girls created the word "Bri-Ashley." I didn't know him well but I am pretty shaken up by it all. I keep tearing up but feel selfish for crying because it is just emotion. I know that sounds redundant. I think part of it is, today I was at the National Gallery and many of the early paintings portrayed martyrs. I was thinking a lot about martyrdom. What it would be like. Would I be able to stand in the face of death and stand strong in the Lord? What emotions would I feel and what thoughts would go through my head? To be perfectly honest, I really don't want to think about it. This young man, full of life, on a mission helping people. Now, he is no longer here. Yes, he is in Heaven. It is so hard to think about.
***Correction: According to several news sources there is speculation on whether or not it was the Taliban or bandits. Just to clarify in case something else comes out in the next few days. The press or Afghanistan could be trying to cover up or it could legitimately have been bandits. Honestly, we may never know. This is just me thinking, and seeing as I am across the ocean from the people who have close info....well yeah.
If you are reading this and you knew him, please know, I have prayed for you!
Funny, I have been planning on writing about my day. Now, it does not seem so important. Nonetheless, I will briefly highlight it. I leisurely made my way into London, slipped on ice cream someone dropped, saw "Some Like It Hot" in the theatre at the National Gallery, walked through the gallery, got to my favorite room just after hearing a muddled message about closing time, glanced at the Monet's, left, looked out at Trafalgar from the balcony, listened to a man preaching and watched the funny looks he got, bought an ice cream, ate my snackish meal in the park next to two guys with an Armani bag, came home, found out Brian had been killed.
Now processing a lot of stuff while watching the Walton's on and off.
Kirsten, I believe that if we get to stand in the face of death for the cause of Christ that He gives us just what we need to be able to do it. I don't think "we" have what it takes - but if you're a Christ-follower, you know the one who does have what it takes. His Holy Spirit will help us do the right thing. When I think about martyrdom it's in the context of what we know - we just haven't been there - and maybe never will. Just my thoughts . . . Candice
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