This has been a long and difficult day for the Whetsells. There is great relief that Austin was found but now begins the long journey home and preparations for a funeral. Final arrangements have not been set as of this writing but it appears that services will be held over the weekend after Kim & Walter return with Austin sometime on Thursday. Pray for the flight home and all the necessary arrangements.
The team is scheduled to come home on their previously planned return date this Friday. We realize that many friends and members of Lexington Presbyterian would like to be there at the airport but we are asking that only family, pastoral staff and selected volunteer youth staff be there to welcome them home. This has been an overwhelming experience for these young men and women and we would like to give them time to reconnect with their families. The parents appreciate your understanding.
I also want to acknowledge a kind gesture by the South Carolina Dixie Youth Baseball League. Austin played on the Lexington All-Star Team for the Dixie League. In honor of Austin, all Dixie League players will wear a black arm band at all their games through the weekend.
Again, your comments and expressions of sympathy are greatly appreciated by the Whetsells and the families of team members. We can't see all of God's purposes but we entrust ourselves to Him knowing He is working something amazing in our midst. Pray that God shows us soon.
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12 comments:
My heart goes out to Austin's immediate family, and the family of God who have surrounded this young man during the years God entrusted him to us.
My prayers are for the experience of God's grace to overwhelm each one who loves Austin.
I am in no way wanting to minimize the loss, but cannot imagine a better time for God to take his kids Home to be with him, than while we are reflecting Jesus to those around us.
Praise God for His promise to use this experience in each of your...and our... lives.
Mark Lowell
English Teacher, Irmo High School
Kim and Walt.
You guys are in my deepest prayers. I have talked with Janice and Teresa today several times spreading the word, and attempted to secure a private charter through a friend, later discovering that you were alast set. I simply felt that I needed to do something. Let me do more ... if you need me, I am here.
Prayers are sent from Ben Lippen School, and Zach's 2nd grade class.
God be with you.
Marty White - Greenwood, SC
My prayers go out to Austin's Mom and Dad and his family. I pray that the Lord gives you strength to get through this very difficult time. May the Lord guide you and comfort you and keep you close to HIS heart.
Blessings,
Kim & Tommy Wright
Shaw AFB
Alice Drive Baptist Church
Sumter, SC
The prayers of Ebenezer ARP, Rock Hill, SC, are with you. May God give all the strength to go through this.
Terry Jackman
Rock Hill, SC
We trust that God's plan is being fulfilled in your family and in the Church. We mourn with the Whetsells, but we rejoice that God is working for His glory.
Our prayers are with the Whetsells and Lexington Presbyterian Church.
Kevin and Jill Martin
How blessed the Whetsell family is to have you as their church family and fiends. Your compassion, consideration and support are a light and a beacon. You are God's body at work in the world--showing others how to love, care for, and handle a situation of this magnitude. The hand of the Father has been upon each of you as you struggle to comprehend and support each other.
Heb. 13:5-6 . . . "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. ...The Lord is my helper."
We continue through prayer to lift up all of you as well as Walter, Kim and their family.
Our prayers are with the Whetsell family. We pray that you will feel the arms of God envelope you and hold you through this heartbreaking time in your lives. May the peace and compassion that only He can give surround your every move.
The Gravelys--
Keen, Ashlin, Anna Beavon & Edmund
(Ashlin is Elizabeth McGuire's sister)
We at Trinity PCA in Chester, SC are praying for all of you. May the Lord continue to comfort and keep you all. The risks of such a trip are not in vain - keep trusting the Lord will bring fruit from this.
Pastor Rick Wheeler
Walter, Kim and family, Patti and family,
We were so sorry to hear of your tragedy. Please know that we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers as you go though this difficult time in your lives. May you find peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Dennis & Betty Waldrop
Whetsell Family:
We are so sorry for your loss. Please know you are in our hearts and prayers during this difficult time. May God lift you all up in his arms and comfort you.
Todd and Robyn Miller
Raleigh, NC
Our church and everyone we know has been contacted to pray for all of you. This is the true body of Christ in action working together, unfortunately, it usually takes a tragedy to make this happen but Austin has reached more than you could ever imagine . Hundreds, if not thousands are praying for you here and around the world.
The Stanton's
Raleigh, NC
I saw this through the blog of a friend as she lives in Lexington and saw it on the news. My prayers will be with the family of Austin, your church, and the youth as you all deal with this unbearable loss. I help with the youth of my church, and we were on a mission trip last week as well in Virginia. I know how close our group is, and I can't begin to even imagine your loss. I pray that many more will come to know Christ through this tragedy as was evident at the church in Mexico.
Corrie
Memorial UMC
Greer, SC
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