A great man

It's been a tough day. I'm grieving the loss of a really great guy. His name is Derek Liebenberg and he was a partner of CAIRD - the organization I work for. I just got to know him briefly but he made quite a great impression on me. He was the director of a wonderful place called The Center of Hope in South Africa - a place that ministers to a lot of children and adults affected by AIDS. He had a real heart for the poor and neglected of the world. And he didn't sit around waiting for someone to come up with a plan. He just rolled up his sleeves and got to work. Everything he did was motivated by love. Love for others but most of all love for God. He was a huge inspiration to many people around the world. I was really looking forward to getting to know him and his wife better (he invited me to come to South Africa several times in the few days I knew him). Although I'm feeling this loss so strongly today, I know the pain must be very great for his wife, his parents and his family and friends. For those of you who read this blog who pray, please especially pray for Derek's wife Heather who is expecting their first child (due in April). She will be attending several memorial services both in South Africa and Canada. She will also be traveling to England after that. She really needs lots of prayer. If anyone is interested in reading about this amazing person, there is a website made in his honor: http://www.thefriesenpoint.com/derek/

I will never forget how you wept with joy when you talked about your child soon to be born and what a miracle he is. Thank you for your great example, brother. I look forward to getting to know you more on the other side of eternity. Until then, goodbye Derek.