Farewell, friend

There's something about death that really puts life into perspective.  For over a month, I have been stressing over medical school applications, letter services, paying for my medical school applications, buying a car, getting my travel approved to move to my new job, being among the first to watch Harry Potter 7 Part 2, and a whole host of other things that pale in comparison to the news that one of my friends in Indonesia died in a car accident.  Dr. Deka was one of the people I shadowed in Lampung two summers ago.  Along with another doctor and two other researchers, he was helping the people in Lampung who suffered from malaria.  He was around 24-years-old when we met.

Remembering Dr. Deka has made me wonder, why do I stress over the little things in this life when I know that God is in control?  If it is God's will for me to go to medical school, it will happen.  If it's His will for me to get to my job in Texas, it will happen.  If God calls me home sooner rather than later, it will happen.  The only thing I can do is follow where God leads, trust in Him alone, and pray that He be glorified in my life.

"You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." - 1 Corinthians 6:19b-20

Dr. Deka, thank you for everything you taught me and for letting me borrow your Blackberry to bbm with my dad while in Lampung.  Your commitment to serving others and worshiping Allah encourages me to serve those around me and worship God with all my heart.  I pray that you had the chance to hear about and accept Jesus' death and resurrection and the hope of salvation He gives to us sinners.  I will miss you dearly.  May you rest in peace.