When Cami and I first moved to LA we were blessed with the best neighbors in the world - Dave and Mini Palmer. In addition to them, Fountain of Life (a church plant they are a part of) embraced us into their community. In a time of great solitude, Cami and I were given community and friendship by this church. The whole body was a true blessing to Cami and I . We have moved away from that church and community but are still very attached to some of its members.
I have chosen to repost Dave's most recent entry because it is one of great impact. The community that so quickly made us part of their family has suffered a great loss and I was hoping that in this time, the community Cami and I have with each of you could reach out to them. Please weep with my weeping friends.
I have chosen to repost Dave's most recent entry because it is one of great impact. The community that so quickly made us part of their family has suffered a great loss and I was hoping that in this time, the community Cami and I have with each of you could reach out to them. Please weep with my weeping friends.
I have been grieving since the morning of January 2, when I received news of the death of two members of our church plant here in Long Beach. Mark and Midi Mikasa, and their 4 year old twin boys Nathan and Lucas were returning home from a family gathering on January 1 when their vehicle was struck by a pickup truck that had run a red light. Midi died at the scene, and Nathan died of his injuries at the hospital early in the morning on January 2. Mark and Lucas were hospitalized for several days but have since been released and are recovering at home.
Both Mark and Midi have been very dear friends of mine for 15 years, ever since college days at UCLA. Mark and I lived on the same dorm floor in 1992. He began attending the dorm Bible study I was leading, and became a follower of Jesus. Midi also was a member of our campus fellowship at the time. She is respected and admired by all who knew her as a woman of exceptional kindness, compassion, humility, care for others, and sensitivity.
Mark and Midi were founding members of our church plant in Long Beach and have played a very active role in the life and ministry of the church. We miss Midi and Nathan immensely and are heartbroken for Mark and Lucas.
Last Sunday morning we had our first church service since the accident. Mark, Lucas, and their families joined us as we remembered Midi and Nathan, and took comfort and hope from the truth that they live forever in unspeakable joy in the presence of God, and will greet each of us on that great day in the Kingdom of God.
Please pray for Mark, Lucas, their family, and our church. We've lost two members of our family. We trust that in the sovereignty of God even this will work for all of our eternal good. But it is obviously severe and painful nonetheless.
A trust fund for little Lucas Mikasa has been set up, as well as memorial fund for Midi and Nathan that will help with funeral expenses. Please allow me to invite and encourage you to send a financial gift for one or both of these funds in honor of Midi and Nathan. If you would like to make a contribution, all the information you need is here: http://www.folcov.org/mikasas/
Above is a picture of Midi reading to some of the children in our church: her twin boys, Lily, and Joy Teter. (Her son Nathan is sitting between Midi and Lily. Lucas is on the other side of Midi.)
Thank you for your prayers for us.
In sorrow and hope,
Both Mark and Midi have been very dear friends of mine for 15 years, ever since college days at UCLA. Mark and I lived on the same dorm floor in 1992. He began attending the dorm Bible study I was leading, and became a follower of Jesus. Midi also was a member of our campus fellowship at the time. She is respected and admired by all who knew her as a woman of exceptional kindness, compassion, humility, care for others, and sensitivity.
Mark and Midi were founding members of our church plant in Long Beach and have played a very active role in the life and ministry of the church. We miss Midi and Nathan immensely and are heartbroken for Mark and Lucas.
Last Sunday morning we had our first church service since the accident. Mark, Lucas, and their families joined us as we remembered Midi and Nathan, and took comfort and hope from the truth that they live forever in unspeakable joy in the presence of God, and will greet each of us on that great day in the Kingdom of God.
Please pray for Mark, Lucas, their family, and our church. We've lost two members of our family. We trust that in the sovereignty of God even this will work for all of our eternal good. But it is obviously severe and painful nonetheless.
A trust fund for little Lucas Mikasa has been set up, as well as memorial fund for Midi and Nathan that will help with funeral expenses. Please allow me to invite and encourage you to send a financial gift for one or both of these funds in honor of Midi and Nathan. If you would like to make a contribution, all the information you need is here: http://www.folcov.org/mikasas/
Above is a picture of Midi reading to some of the children in our church: her twin boys, Lily, and Joy Teter. (Her son Nathan is sitting between Midi and Lily. Lucas is on the other side of Midi.)
Thank you for your prayers for us.
In sorrow and hope,
David
