Tribute to Monroe Williams

I found out last night that Monroe Williams (16) had passed away. He was a great friend to my younger brother David and I always enjoyed talking to him. It breaks my heart to hear that such a great young man had passed away but I am confident that he is now glorifying God in Heaven. That thought brings a smile to my face.

When I think about Monroe, the first thing that comes to mind is the one question he would always ask me without fail every time he saw me, "Justin, are you strong?" as he would arm wrestle me in the air. Thinking about that both makes me laugh and brings tears to my eyes.

This summer my intern team's motto has been "Our ClarkDo is strong." which means that we are a strong team who strives to do the best work we can do here. I'm wearing my intern team shirt right now and on the front of the shirt is written, "Is your ClarkDo strong?" in Czech. As I think about Monroe's question to me and look at my shirt I realize that I may be strong and my team may work as hard as we can. However, all of that strength is founded on one thing and one thing alone: CHRIST. Christ is my continual source of strength and peace as I continue on in my internship and as I think about the great man this world has lost.

So yes Monroe, I am strong. But I am not strong because of my own strength rather because of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who died and rose again for my sins. With this in mind, I'm ready for my third and final English camp here in Czech. I'm excited to see how God will work at this camp and my thoughts and prayers are with the Williams family and everyone mourning the loss of Monroe. Please lift them up in prayer these next couple months.

This camp is for you Monroe.

Psalm 84

How lovely is your dwelling place,
        O LORD of hosts!
    My soul longs, yes, faints
        for the courts of the LORD;
    my heart and flesh sing for joy
        to the living God.
    Even the sparrow finds a home,
        and the swallow a nest for herself,
        where she may lay her young,
    at your altars, O LORD of hosts,
        my King and my God.
    Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
        ever singing your praise! Selah
    Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
        in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
    As they go through the Valley of Baca
        they make it a place of springs;
        the early rain also covers it with pools.
    They go from strength to strength;
        each one appears before God in Zion.
    O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;
        give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
    Behold our shield, O God;
        look on the face of your anointed!
    For a day in your courts is better
        than a thousand elsewhere.
    I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
        than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
    For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
        the LORD bestows favor and honor.
    No good thing does he withhold
        from those who walk uprightly.
    O LORD of hosts,
        blessed is the one who trusts in you!