Let’s rewind to Albania. Month one. Off day. My teammate, Melissa, and I were sitting in a coffee shop just chatting when a young woman and man sit next to us. They could obviously hear our American accents because they started the conversation with, “where are you from?” We told them about ourselves and about the World Race.
As the conversation continued, they told more about themselves. They both went to school in Tirana but the man was originally from Greece. “My name is George, and I’ve just got to say you are the nicest Christian’s I have ever met.” You see, George is gay. He told us of the hatred he felt from his family and how they didn’t accept his lifestyle. We told George of how we didn’t agree with his lifestyle but we loved him because God calls us to love. We spent the rest of the day with George and his friend. We built a friendship that has lasted throughout the Race. (It’s so cool to see how God connects us with people all over the world #internationalfriends)
Fast forward to month four, Malaysia. I get an Instagram message from George. “I went to the doctor for headaches and they found a cancerous brain tumor…” I was in total shock. He was completely fine just three months prior. He told me about how lucky he felt to have met me and my team. Of how when he first met with the doctor to talk about treatment options the first thought in his mind was the Lord. Then my team and I.
I continued to chat with him the next two months. Asking how treatment was going, how he was feeling and just reminding him that I was praying for God to reveal Himself to George (since he wasn’t a believer).
As most of you know, I took a little getaway from social media but I felt like I needed to get back on it today. When I logged back onto Instagram I had a message from George.
On February 3rd, George messaged me to say goodbye because the doctor had given him 6 months to live. When I messaged him to see how he was doing I received news that George has passed. My sweet friend. Gone. To be with Jesus? I won’t know until I get there myself… Today I was reminded that life is so precious and can be taken away so easily. I was reminded to share the good news of Jesus, NO MATTER WHAT. I was reminded that in times like this we can only trust God.
Please pray for George’s family and friends as they grieve this loss.
With love and sadness,
sav
