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Reminiscences (Posted Aug 27 2005) Spencer Peng - Friend from Real World Dear Family, I still remember the first time I met Julie: It was 2001, and she had come to a gathering for a church about to plant in the Bay Area. One of the pastors shared the church's vision with her -- the hope to multiply churches to reach the world, etc. She jumped in, direct and straightforward, asking questions about exactly how this was going to be done. I remember liking this new visitor immediately: she wasn't content with vision alone -- she wanted to see people getting it done. It was later on that I got to know her other sides, coming to love her infectious, ever-present smile, her laugh -- she could always bring a smile to my face. Out here in Quebec, all the tour guides talk about the Quebecois joie de vivre -- their constant festivals and celebrations. But I can't help thinking that a big piece of joie de vivre left CA for Davao, and is now delighting in an even cooler place. The last time we really hung out was on Castro St, several months ago. We were just talking about life, and I can't remember exactly what I asked her -- something like, "Are you happy?" She surprised me by tearing up so I passed her some tissues. There was always a longing in her for as long as I've known her. Tied in with her idealism and dreams and deep compassion (I still remember the first time she shared about her many summers crossing from UCSD to Mexico, on her own initiative, to work with children there...), was a yearning for something more, something Other. I think now it was righteousness -- that "all would be right" with the world, at last. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven... Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." I don't know why now, when she was just beginning, it seems... I go back over her first emails from Davao now, how something incredible was just beginning to blossom. I don't know why, Lord, and perhaps I never will. Lord, I'm so glad that I remember trying to help her find her cabin at WCC. She hadn't wanted to be at WCC -- she'd wanted to be out of the US by then. But she was finding confirmation that the time had come. Lord, I'm so glad that Julie was doing at last what she'd always wanted to do. I'm glad there was a bubbling-over joy, fulfillment, of all she wanted to be, of her deep, deep desire to be so WITH You, finding You being all that You promised to be, with her. I also think now of one of her requests, that her "parents would see the Lord taking care of" her. Lord, I know this story isn't over. Will you work in her family's life? It's in Your hands now, more than ever. I don't know, Lord, it seems so hard -- how can they see Your loving care, Your incredible love for Julie? Yet with you anything is possible. I meditated on the verses Julie made a central part of her launch to the Philippines, Ps 143 and Jer 17. I'm glad that she found their truth in her life, to live trusting in the Lord and being led by Him. To live as planted by streams of water. I'm inspired, even now. And I pray that her family will see and taste the fruit that has come uniquely from her and God together. Julie, I can't believe it may be a long while before I see you again (though who knows?), but I know there will be much to catch up on. May we continue the work of love you gave your life to here on earth. Blessed is she whose trust IS the Lord. Spencer
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