There is sadness in the air this morning as the choir comes to terms with the loss of one of its members.
M was a wonderful young man who I had much to do with last year when I was trying to get him a passport for the UK tour. We only managed to get him an ID not a passport and so he was unable to come to England with us. I'll always remember him sitting in my car just after we finally picked up his ID book a few months ago, stunned and happy that he 'finally existed' in terms of being a South African citizen legally.
He lived with his family on a hill not far from here and they have received quite a bit of help from us in the past. He was well loved by people here.
Tragically last night he put his arm through a glass window. Unfortunately for him a main artery was severed and he did not recover. He was 17.
In a country where so many people are dying of AIDS related diseases, it seems all the more tragic that a bright young man who was healthy and had everything to live for would have his life cut short by such a crazy thing.
Please remember his family and the family here, especially the Young Zulu Warriors, at this time. I expect the funeral will take place next weekend, after Christmas. So it won't be easy for any of us with this happening so close to the festive week. Pray for God's peace and comfort for people here at this time.
