In the early morning hours of Aug. 9, a friend of many others and mine lost his life on a road in Zambia, Africa. Bob Finck was on his third volunteer trip to Zambia, assisting the missionaries in taking the gospel to those who had never heard it before. Bob began experiencing pain, possibly associated with kidney stones, and the decision was made to attempt to get him to a hospital that was seven hours away. The norm is not to travel after dark in Zambia, but all believed that this constituted enough of an emergency to do so. While en route, they had an accident, and Bob was thrown from the vehicle and killed. The others in the vehicle received minor physical injuries, but suffered major emotional trauma. For those of you who will, I would ask that you pray for the Finck family, Fellowship Community Church and the entire Upper Zambezi Team. Bob leaves behind a wife, two daughters and a son.

How did I know Bob? Most of you know that I serve as camp medical director for our state convention’s student camp. I first met Bob when he served as a youth leader for his church. Later, Bob would become the head of security for the camp. Bob was one of those guys who poured himself completely into his work, no matter what that was. Bob was the kind of person  you wanted to spend time with. He was witty and a bit crazy, which everyone in public service must be, but most of all, he had a deep love for the Lord and for all people of all nations.

Bob was doing what he loved most. He was serving God in whatever way God would allow. Though it is a tragic loss, Bob would want those who knew him to celebrate his life, and glorify Christ in the midst of it all. Bob’s hope of eternity in heaven has now become his reality. Bob lived his life on this earth right up to the point that he lost his life. Bob’s heart was for God and what God desires, which is that all would come to know Him.

Bob’s death reminds us that life is short. We may think that we have lots of time, but the fact is that we are not guaranteed another moment. It is my hope and prayer that each of us would take a moment to reflect upon our own lives. Did you tell your family that you loved them as you left for work this morning? Is the squabble that you are having with someone worth it? Do you know where you will spend eternity? I would say that we waste much of our time on things that benefit no one. Bob was in Zambia to share the source of life, and died serving the One that he loved.

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

Goodbye for now, my friend. I’m glad I had the privilege of knowing you.