I am not usually one to get real personal on message boards, but this has been the worst day I have had in the last 22 years (I use that as a reference because my father died 22 years ago next month).
Right now I am thinking I might just stay up all night. I know I won’t sleep if I get in bed, so what’s the use? I think I will go get another Scotch. It would probably do more good to pray, but me and God are having a problem communicating at the moment.
I may not be very religious, but I’m a good listener, care to spill your guts? Whether privately or publicly, I’d be more than happy to help.
I ditto that. Please let us know so we can relate/help.
I am not ready to spill my guys yet. Unfortunately, I have a job to do and that comes first. Maybe tomorrow. But thank you for your willingess.
No prob. Hope you get that job done quick because I’m anxious to help. Also, I gave you a nice amount of good rep to help scrape the surface of helping you feel better. God Bless Ya, man!
Jethro, what’s happening? When I saw you earlier today, I didn’t notice any problems, but we never exchanged any words or anything.
That scotch might put you to sleep, though, it’s probably not the best outlet for whatever it is that is troubling you.
Here is the story in a nutshell. Most of you know that I am a pastor. Some of you know that I also mentor two African guys that want to become pastors. One of them is Sudanese. Over the past three years he has become more than a friend to me. We are (were) like brothers.
At 5:00 this morning I received word that he had been in a car accident. At 9:00 this morning, I received word that he had died. He is 39 years old and the father of 6 young children.
He is someone who had received international attention as a person who had the ability and respect to help settle the civil war going on in Sudan between Muslims and Christians that has been going on for the past 50 years.
He was supposed to leave Wednesday for Sudan to spend a month meeting with people to do just that.
It was the Canadian police that called me this morning to tell me of his death. I had to tell his wife. I sat with her for 2 hours. In 2 hours she never said a word. I left Christopher at Showgroup practice with you guys tonight and went back out to their house.
This appears to be the end of many hopes and dreams not only of mine but of perhaps an entire nation.
Oh no, that’s really tragic. 
Especially with 6 young kids! You’ve got to remember that God probably had some perpose for it, of course he wouldn’t do that sort of thing for no reason. Again, I hope you feel better very soon.
-Tyler :o
That’s the part I am having trouble with, Tyler. What purpose? What good can come of this that would be better than the good he could have done had he lived? Many people have the respect of the Sudanese Muslims. Many have the respect of the Sudanese Christians. Very, very few had both. He had both.
I was worried about him going back to Africa. Muslims and Christians kill each other over there. I wasn’t worried about him going to Saskatchewan, Canada. He was going there to help some Sudanese people start church.
Now he is dead. I don’t get it.
I have a strong faith, but this is shaking it to its very core.
Jethro, that is such sad and horrible news. I don’t even know what to say. I have never been able to make sense of these types of events, when people with potential for so much good and healing are taken young.
Wow… who does a pastor turn to when they are having problems, especially when they are having trouble communicating with God. I hope you can look at the positive here. What has this person contributed to the world up to now and what can you do to help his legacy live on?
In your post above, you mention that in Sudan, people get killed. Maybe that was going to happen to him when he went there, maybe not. But, in any case, according to what you have told us, he has made a big difference in many places, and that is his legacy. Even though his life has been cut short, he has made a difference.
If you need another pastor to talk to, I can give you my uncle’s contact info, if that may help you through this.
That is doubly tragic. So much cut short. So much left undone…
Africa is waking up about now. It is obvious why you will not be getting any sleep tonight.
That’s very true. I don’t really know what to say. I recommend trying to get rest somehow, though.
I appologize if this is out of line in this thread, but I do believe you voted “Athiest” in my religion poll.
Jethro, if you have Skype, Aim, or MSN, I’ll be glad to talk.
EDIT: I just AIMed you, Jethro.
EDIT: You just signed off. If you don’t feel like talking I totally understand. 
I consider myself agnostic. I won’t dismiss the possibility that God exists, but I have seen no verifiable evidence to determine wether I should believe or not. If God does exist, I don’t think he would be as horrible as the Catholics make him out to be, which is that anyone who does not worship or “believe” in God is going to go to hell, eternal torture, for the simple fact of not getting it right when the verifiable evidence was not presented.
I don’t have his home phone, but Jethro, if you want to talk to another Pastor, then you can contact my uncle Tom, his contact details (church phone and email) are at: http://www.firstlutherancr.org/site/our_pastors
I’m very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.Sometimes when tragic things happen there just is no “positive side”. Life can be so hard.
He sounds like he was a man with a purpose on this world. Although his time was cut short, his life was not in vain.
My heart goes out to everyone affected by his death, especially his wife and children.
hats off.
and a moment of tribute to this man who had so much more to accomplish…
Jethro, I’m very sorry to hear what happened. You’ve been through worse and you’ll get through this too. I hope the best for his children, wife and work.
I would have prayed if I could.
jethro im sorry to hear that man. hope things get better and better. im sure they will.
the Bible says we’re all without excuse gilby.it says that. and you certainly will not be without excuse, because you know its there. and dont wait for the Bible to hit you in the face, and say look here i am! naw go find read it and tell us what you find. “for we walk by faith, not by sight”
i guess i have such strong opinions cuz my moms life was saved by God.