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Friend's sudden death

PostPosted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 9:33 pm
by Mave
I’ve just received news that one of my close Malaysian friends drowned during a swimming accident in Lake Michigan this afternoon. I’m devastated and am still in denial. He was the only friend who shared the same interest in anime and manga with me in my graduate school years. He loved Naruto, Full Metal Alchemist, Trigun and many other titles. I even have his FMA dvd with me, which I kept telling him that I will watch and return to him eventually.

I could always count on him to help me out whenever I needed it. He was among the very few college friends I could hang out with anytime, just be myself and have a great time. He was like a little brother to me. I’ve talked to him about Christ before but he never really took it seriously. I can only hope that God have mercy on His soul. Please pray (especially) for his family and all who are grieving along with them. His parents are going to fly over to the States to retrieve his body.

PostPosted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 10:06 pm
by the_lizardqueen
I'm so sorry to hear that Mave! It sounds so shocking, I've never lost anyone that suddenly...I can't imagine what you must be going through right now. I will be keeping all of you in my prayers, please take care.

PostPosted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 10:12 pm
by kazekami
Oh my gosh how sad. That had to have been a big shock. I will pray for your friend his familly and you. Looseing someone you care for is hard.

PostPosted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 10:19 pm
by Hephzibah
:( I'm so sorry Mave! You can count on my prayer support... for both his family and for you. I really hope that he seriously thought about Christ and repented before he died. Is his family Christian?

PostPosted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 10:29 pm
by bigsleepj
I'm Praying, Mave

PostPosted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 11:13 pm
by Gypsy
I'll be praying as well. I'm so sorry.

PostPosted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:30 am
by shooraijin
That's awful, Mave. I hope God will be with his family, and I'm sorry that he died without Christ.

PostPosted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 8:56 am
by Myoti
One of my best friends died about a year ago in a car accident, so I can sympathize with you. It's a shocking and tragic experience, so I'll pray God gives you the strength to handle this.

PostPosted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 9:06 am
by termyt
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss.

Father,
I pray you bring peace and comfort to Mave and the family of her friend. Help them to remember the good times - the joy of knowing this young man. Words fall so short of giving comfort in a time like this, so make Yourself known. Gently remind them that You are there. May this bring Your name glory.
Amen.

PostPosted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 9:43 am
by bakura_fan
I'm sorry, and I know what you're going through. My best friend died in a tragic car crash about two years after I moved to Washington. I still am sad that she had to leave, but glad that she is out of this world full of pain. I'm sorry about your friend, but God knows the heart. You never know, maybe your friend acted toward you like that because he was afraid or stubborn. I've done the same thing when it comes to letting others know how I feel about God. Only God can judge the heart, so believe and trust Him. I hope that helps in some way. Once again, I am truly sorry and sharing your pain.

PostPosted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 11:14 am
by dragonshimmer
Mave, I am so, so sorry to hear this. I will keep the family in my prayers. It's really hard to lose someone very suddenly...

PostPosted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 11:15 am
by agasfas
Oh my, sorry to hear that you lost a really close friend; it must be a great shock. I'll be praying for all the friends and family who must be feeling the lost. I can only imagine how y'all may feel.
My condolences.

PostPosted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 11:42 am
by true_noir_chloe
You know I am praying for you and your friend's family. *hug*

PostPosted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 12:01 pm
by uc pseudonym
What can I say? I'll certainly be praying for you and all the others affected.

PostPosted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 3:30 pm
by Alice
I'm sorry Mave, and yes I am praying... :sniffle:

PostPosted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:01 pm
by EireWolf
I'm sorry, Mave. I've lost a sister suddenly, so I know a little bit of how you feel. I'm praying.

PostPosted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:49 pm
by Yojimbo
Very sad.:( I pray he let God enough in his life.

PostPosted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 6:24 pm
by Mave
Everyone, from the depths of my heart, thank you.

Your sympathies and heartfelt condolences just blow me away. I will never underestimate the power and comfort, which fellowship brings in times like this.

To answer someone's question, I don't think he was a Christian but who knows?

Your words of support and prayers will carry the family and all of us through this. Thanks for making a difference in our lives.

PostPosted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 6:31 pm
by Rogie
Oh, Mave, I'm so sorry to hear about this. You know I'm praying for you and for his other loved ones during this time. Sorry for not seeing this request sooner.

-- Rog

PostPosted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 10:03 pm
by Syreth
Yeah, I wish I could've seen this sooner too. I will be praying anyhow. I pray God sends encouragement everyone's way who was hurt by this.

Father, I pray that everyone affected by this circumstance would be drawn closer to You and would taste of Your love and grace. I pray for the salvation of the souls that have not recieved Your Son and for the encouragement of everyone. Be with Mave and comfort her in her loss and be glorified in some way through this. In Jesus' name.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 3:37 pm
by Mr. SmartyPants
Mave, you and your friend and his family and friends. Everyone somewhat related to this incident are in my prayers.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 4:17 pm
by Spiritsword
I will pray.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 7:56 pm
by Stephen
Mave I am so sorry to hear this. You and his family will be in my prayers. I wish I had better words to say...

PostPosted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 8:45 pm
by Mr. Rogers
will be praying for you. sorry to hear that that happend

PostPosted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 3:01 pm
by Mave
My sincere thanks to those who recently posted.

Updates:
His parents finally arrived in the U.S. yesterday night and identified him this morning. He was also cremated this afternoon. A memorial service will be held in his honor tomorrow on campus and I will drive back from work early to attend this. I hope I will have the strength to give my testimony without breaking down too badly.

Things are still very glum for the Malaysians friends back on campus especially with the arrival of his parents who are obviously the most traumatized. Most of these friends are non-Christians so an addition plea for their salvation in Christ would be greatly appreciated as well.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 4:58 pm
by Rogie
No problem, Mave. I'll add that additional request to the Prayer List for you. :thumb: Still praying for you, too.

FINAL update

PostPosted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 1:44 pm
by Mave
The memorial service was held yesterday. I had the opportunity to share my memories of him to everyone and meet his parents. They were surprisingly calm and composed although I've seen his father stare into space in deep thought at occasional times.

The university conferred his B.S. Computer Science degree to his parents at that service (since he only had two more courses to complete prior to graduation). His parents visited the accident site this morning and as I speak right now, they should be flying home to Malaysia with his ashes in hand.

I made a personal tribute webpage to him, for the benefit of those who have been praying for this, so that you'll know his name, how he looked like and how much he meant to me and those who knew him.

http://www.kcome.net/special/jiangwei.html

Thank you all and God bless.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 1:56 pm
by EireWolf
That's a wonderful tribute, Mave.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 6:06 pm
by termyt
Excellent tribute, Mave.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 6:15 pm
by Hephzibah
It's one thing to hear how someone you dont know died... its entirely different to see photos of them, esp having fun with their mates. Thanks for that Mave. It has reminded me how these are real people and not just names from the internet. I'll continue praying for you and his family