In Passing

I just learned that a friend passed away six days ago.  I'm really bummed.  Not that this is in anyway about me.  I'm just...*sigh*...I don't know.

I met Karl not quite a year ago in South Africa.  Our BGC team had just arrived at Botshabelo for our service trip and we met Karl as we started work on tearing down the roof of the residence we were going to be rebuilding.  There was no big introduction, no big to-do.  He was just there, working.  Hard.  Within the first few minutes I knew I was going to enjoy working with this guy.

He had such a great attitude and personality.  If we ran into a difficult patch of work, he'd step back and really think his way around it, and we'd just go for it.  He seemed to work tirelessly too.

But what really impressed me about him was when the work day ended.   The way he loved the kids at the orphanage, and they loved him!  There was just something so real and genuine about Karl.  He spoke his mind, but he did so with his heart.  Which makes all the difference.

We got to spend a lot of time working together over the three weeks I was there.  We had a lot of conversations about everything from writing, God, elephants, nature, and just living life.  They were some of the best conversations I've ever had.

Every year I've gone to South Africa there have been a few things/events/people that stand out from each trip.  Getting to know Karl was, without a doubt, the most memorable part of my trip last year.  There were talks about trying to meet up again in the future for some other world traveling adventure.

Well, you're on the biggest adventure now Karl.  You will be missed.  You made a life-long difference in this Yank.  Whenever I get to make that adventure among the gypsies, you'll be right there with me.

Good rest, Godspeed...


grace, peace + hope
-Jesse