Grief and Hope

Yesterday we received the tragic news that the oldest daughter of some dear friends of ours here in Taiwan had been killed in a car accident in North Carolina. Aimee was 25 years old, and just at the beginning of her career as an elementary school teacher in the U.S. My wife and I have known the family since we first came to Taiwan in the early 90's, when Aimee was only 7 years old. We deeply feel the sense of loss and grief that Aimee's parents, sister, and brothers are feeling at this time.

Aimee Elisabeth Powell

1984-2010

Aimee's death was sudden and unexpected, unlike the passing of one of our neighbors, a Taiwanese grandmother who was well into her 90's and had been ill for some time. Today they are holding a funeral service for her across our lane. Family has gathered to "meditate" as prayers are chanted for the departed soul.

As I listened to the monotone chanting, I wondered what hope our neighbors have for the eternal destiny of this woman's soul. I believe it is quite unlike the hope that Aimee's family has, knowing that Aimee loved Jesus and lived with the assurance that one day she would live with him in heaven, as she now is. There is still the pain of loss, of course, but Aimee's family, and everyone else who knew Aimee and knows Jesus, live in confidence that we will see her again one day. And Aimee, like her missionary parents, had a burden to share that hope in Christ with others. May many come to know the hope found only in Christ.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

- Paul's Letter to the Romans

Chapter 8:38-39