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Posted by Kevin White
on 9/2/2009, 12:57 pm
216.244.29.205
Hello, my name is Kevin White, and I live in California. I missed a connecting flight and was stranded in London the week of the loss of the Pan Am flight. I remember sitting alone in my hotel room, appalled, watching the news. There were reporters at the crash site trying to interview family members. I remember watching as they interviewed a couple who had lost their daughter: The interviewer said "You lost your daughter in this plane crash, but I don't get it...you look like you are doing O.K. I don't see any tears." I remember the father replying, "Don't misunderstand, we are devastated that we lost our daughter, and believe me, the tears will come. But we know that our God can make good come from anything. We have no idea how God could make good come from the death of our daughter, but we have no doubt that He will." I was quite overcome by these words of faith from this couple. I thought about them every day for the next several weeks. Soon after, my own life was rocked by violence. Back home, in Stockton, California, a gunman walked into a school where I worked, and gunned down 34 children and a teacher. I returned from my trip five days later, and began working with these children. When I found myself overwhelmed and despairing, I remembered the words of that couple in Lockerbie and was greatly encouraged. A year later my own brother, a police officer in Stockton, was murdered. Again when I found myself not wanting to get out of bed for days, I would remember Lockerbie, and was encouraged to go on. I am now a Chaplain with the police department, and work with victims of violent crimes. I often think of that couple in Lockerbie, who's statement of trust in God got me through so many difficult days. I never heard their name, but have always wanted to express my deep appreciation and gratitude for their words. If anyone knows who they are, please let me know. They have indeed made "much good come from the death of their daughter." Many lives here in California have been deeply impacted with hope and healing by it.
Kevin White
Stockton, California
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