The Sound of No Hope

Saturday night, Daniel had just finished up the youth service and was driving to take the teens back home.  A truck rapidly approached from behind flashing its lights obviously needing to get through.  As the man passed, Daniel saw it was Damion, the ambulance driver for the Red Cross.  Daniel thought there must be a big emergency and a few minutes later, the ambulance raced by.  Daniel prayed.

Sunday morning, we heard that Jose Roberto, a 14 year old boy,  had been killed in a car accident.  We know his father Fernando well.  He delivered many of the materials for us when we were building our home and delivered Rebekah her parakeets too.

That evening, Daniel went to see the body at the home.  Here in Mexico, the body is made ready, placed in the coffin, and then taken back to the home until the burial.  The family will stay awake all night and people come in and out to grieve and offer sympathy to the family.

Monday morning, Daniel went back for several hours to be with Fernando.  He brought his guitar and several joined him in singing hymns which the father appreciated.

Monday afternoon, we all headed out to the cemetery for the burial.  There had to have been 300-400 people there.  It was so sad.  So very sad.

The boy had asked all week if he could go out with his friends to Lopez Mateo to the Whale Fair.  His parents said no.  He asked again.  They said no.  All week long, he asked, but they did not want him to go.

He went anyways.

On their way there, he and his three friends were hit by a drunk driver.

And Jose Roberto went into eternity.

So many had gathered around for the burial.  Friends sobbing.  The body and the family arrived.

The screams.  The cries.  The utter despair.

My children looked at me.  I wrapped my arms around them. 

Someone turned on loud music to drown out the cries. 

And I told my older ones to never forget.

To never forget the sound of no hope.

This family has no hope for they do not know the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is a sound I do not want to ever forget.  

It is why we are here.

It is why we have been called.

Jose Roberto is in eternity.  His death has affected so many here.  Please pray for the family.  Pray for the many who are hurting and grieving.  Pray for our family as we minister to those here.

Pray for Daniel as he preaches day after day.

There are days that are so long and the task so hard.  There are times where we feel forgotten.  There are times when we just want to be done.

And then the Lord reminds us.

And our hearts yearn to do more.

The time seems so short.

The work so great.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for Thou art with me.

But what about those who walk through it without the Saviour.

What horrible fear.

To live without Christ is to never really live.

And to die without Christ is to die forever.

Paying the price you owe...forever.

And there is no hope.

Right now, there is hope offered.  Mercy, peace, joy, salvation.  

There are those that have eyes but they do not see.

And ears, but they do not hear.

But God is not willing that any should perish. 

So we go and tell of the wonderful, blessed hope.

And pray.

Please pray.