The response of giving to the memorial fund has been amazing. It is not so much the amount on the checks but the number of them that is so encouraging. The opening of your hearts to the Whetsells is simply wonderful. I wish there was some more grandiose or even sublime way to say it but you have just been wonderful.
I wanted to share one story with you all about a young lady (with perhaps sibling or friends from the block) in Governors Grant (a Lexington neighborhood) who started a lemonade stand to raise money for the fund. They set a goal of raising $500... a lofty goal indeed for a lemonade stand. When they reached just over $200 (which in itself is amazing) a gentleman 'happened' by and asked, "How much farther to go before you reach your goal?" They shared with him that they needed about $300. He then wrote them a check for that amount. Again, what can be said about such kindness except that it is wonderful.
In keeping with the idea of setting goals, the family has given us a bit more definition for the memorial fund. As I wrote before, some of that money will be used to defray costs incurred during the search for Austin and in bringing him home. The family however wants the emphasis on supporting the mission work in Zihuantanejo (Iglesia Vida Nueva). They are looking to purchase a piece of property near the church that would help them expand the scope of their ministry in the community. The property costs ~$50,000 US. Combined with the expenses Walter had, we are tentatively setting a goal of $70,000 for the fund. We have not done any tabulating of the money that has come in but you have made a good start in reaching that goal.
In the end, however, this is not about money or reaching goals... it is about honoring the work of God's grace in the life of Austin. And as the story above shows, many of you are doing just that using the means and gifts God has given you. That is a precious gift to the family. Thank you for your kindness.
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7 comments:
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Whetsell family and the Lexington church family.
With love,
The staff & congregation of Eau Claire Presbyterian Church, Columbia
I appreciate Daryl's updates and comments.
We would like to thank the Wetsell Family the church and those donaters and the lexington mission team that have taught us so much in this week. We are deepily in debt to them. Instead of the group coming and us teaching them about are ways and culture they taught us the real love of Christ. We can not express in any way how grateful we are to them for Everything they have done! We do not deserve it... It is only through Christ that we can with stand anything! And the Team and especially the Whetsell have demostrated that to us the whole time...God Bless You, we will be praying...
Zihuatanejo, Mexico
They that trust in the Lord
shall be as mount Zion
which cannot be moved
but abideth forever.
As the mountains are round about Jerusalem
So the Lord is round about His people.
The Lord is round about His people
from henceforth, even forever.(Psalm 125)
You are all in my prayers and thoughts. KMS
The funeral service yesterday was honoring to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. From the music, to the testimonies and the homily...it all gave honor to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Is there any chance that the audio and/or video will be linked to the site?
Whetsell Family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. It's clear that Austin was a special young man whose testimony will endure in many hearts for years to come. We pray that God will be especially near to you in this difficult time.
Chad and Ronda Fenske
To the Whetsell family, and brothers and sisters in Christ at Lex.Presb. and Heritage...
Our family was saddened to hear of Austin's passing. Though we celebrate the life of a beautiful child who is now in heaven with our Saviour--Christ Jesus, my heart is heavy knowing that Austin's family is grieving this enormous, sudden loss. We are thinking of you and praying for you.
We celebrate Austin's life with you in remembering wonderful times and special people at Heritage.
We did not know Austin well, but I can easily recall him and Franklin eating lunch at Heritage. Having arrived back in town, I have gathered the newspaper clippings to send to our daughter, Samantha--who was at Heritage for 8th grade with Laura Catherine and Terri and now off to college; I was glad to notice the address here in the articles to drop you a note. I know Samantha will be saddened to hear about Austin. Thank you all, Whetsells, Heritage friends, the Sinclairs and friends at Lex. Presb. for serving Christ in so many ways, but especially in having Christ-like hearts to guide children as they grow in their walk with the Lord. We celebrate Austin's life with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We celebrate that, even in this tragedy, God is glorified as the people in that area of Mexico hear of Austin's life and death and realize he came to Mexico to share the wonderful message of Jesus and His love with them.
Lynnette Carden
Dear everyone,
I went to Austin's funeral and I just have to say that I would have rather died in his place than to see him ride away in a hurse. I was very effected by this entire situation and have come to know Christ as my LORD and Savior and so has my family. We are involved in all the Church activities and missions. It just goes to show that God can make many good things out of something so horrible as death. From death comes life! No one needs to be angry with God because of this, he ment it to happen and if we stand strong with God he will bring us to him to.
We are praying and helping always.
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