Sometimes on the race, you get to do once in a lifetime things. We see the posts that promise bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, petting tigers and riding elephants… but for me, my once in a lifetime experience happened on October 24th at a funeral in Manipur, India. My World Race Squad was fortunate enough to partner with a ministry that truly lived out the calling to follow God wherever He leads. Dr. Rochunga was an incredible disciple who lived every day of his life as if he was on The World Race. He served each and every person he came into contact with, he built schools, churches and hospitals, he translated the bible into his native language… all with the faith that his work would save lives and bring the kingdom of God to earth. And it did.
On October 10th, Dr. Rochunga went home to be with the Lord and The World Race mourned with the family, church and legacy that he left behind. We were invited to his funeral and I was asked to give a eulogy on behalf of The World Race. To say that I was humbled and honored would be an understatement… how can you do justice to the life of a man who did everything Jesus asked of him? I prayed and asked the Lord to give me words that would celebrate his life while paying honor and respect to the loved ones he has left behind.
This is my once in a lifetime. I will remember every crazy and adventurous moment from my race; but this speech, this moment, I will carry it forever…
“Good afternoon, on behalf of the
World race, I want to sincerely thank you for
welcoming us here… We consider it a great
honor to come alongside you today and
celebrate the life of Dr. Rochunga.
In the short time that we have been in India,
we have all been impacted by the incredible
way Dr. Rochunga lived his life for Christ. We look around
at the legacy that he leaves behind… In his
family, in schools, churches and hospitals…
and I can’t help but notice that everything we
see today, every person here and for
Thousands around the world- Jesus is their
reality because Dr. Rochunga said “yes”
when God called his name.
As World Racers, we begin this journey with
the Lord by saying “yes” when He calls our
name. We don’t know what trials we will face,
who we will encounter along the way or how
our lives will change in the process- but all
of the unknowns hardly matter in comparison
to the opportunity we are given to serve
God’s beloved people.
While we leave home and commit to serve for
these 11 months, Dr. Rochunga leaves behind
an entire lifetime of surrender to the Lord. He
was a true disciple who followed God, listened
closely to the leading of the Holy Spirit and laid
his life down again and again for the Kingdom.
As we gather here today in memory of this
incredible man, I want to share a piece of
scripture…
1 Thessalonians 4 tells us:
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to
be uninformed about those who sleep in death,
so that you may not grieve as others do who
have no hope.
For we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
and so we believe that through Jesus, God
will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
According to the Lord’s word, we tell you
that we who are still alive, who are left until
the coming of the Lord, will certainly not
precede those who have fallen asleep.
For the Lord himself will come down from
heaven, with a cry of command and with the
sound of the trumpet of God, and the dead
in Christ will rise.
Then we who are still alive, who are left, will
be caught up together with them in the
clouds to meet the Lord in the air,
And so we will always be with the Lord, forever.”
When I read this scripture, I am comforted.
While we as believers are grieving, we don’t
grieve the way the world does. His word
doesn’t tell us, “do not grieve,” but rather,
“do not grieve as those who have no hope.”
As followers of Jesus Christ, we can grieve
today with hope. We mourn knowing that
while we have said goodbye to the one we
love, it is only for a little while… We will be
together again and that brings us eternal
hope and joy.
Grief and hope. Sorrow and joy.
Grief but not hopelessness…
sorrow but not despair…
That’s the beauty of our faith…
That even in the face of death, we have joy
knowing we will spend eternity with our Savior.
That is hope. That is what we cling to in
these moments of grief.
It’s by trusting our lives into Jesus’ hands
and committing to follow Him, that we
share this hope… And that is exactly what
Dr. Rochunga spent his life doing…
Sharing the hope of Christ.
Today my prayer is that, while we say
goodbye to one we loved so dearly, we
remember to celebrate the truth that he
has received his inheritance in heaven…
That in this moment as we are gathered to
face the reality that he has gone… There are
many, many others who are rejoicing at his
coming, and THAT is the beauty of death in Jesus.
I have no doubt that Dr. Rochunga is joyfully
watching over us, cheering us on as we
continue on in our race and he is finally home
after completing his…
And I know that after a
lifetime of faithful devotion, Jesus is standing
before him today saying, “well done, my good
and faithful servant.”
Thank you.”
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
