After finding our that in the Fall of 2007 that we were expecting our first child in April 2008, we began to dream about her growing up in Ethiopia. It was going to be exciting watching her play with the other missionary children or seeing the native kids look at her with a curious stare. What fun it was going to be to see her grow up in a culture that was new to us, but once that she always knew, and then watch her wide eyed as we took our first trip back to the States. It was going to be a special time, one that we were going to cherish. It was our dream, our hope, and our prayer.
Our plans, however, are not always what God sees as best. He has taught us that great truth over the last few years. Often we think we know God's perfect plan only to see God do something greater that we could ever imagine.
This truth is something we have held on to tightly! On January 25, 2008, our beautiful daughter, Ava, came into the world only to immediately leave it for a much greater place. What were supposed to be tears of joy quickly turned to tears of heartache as we faced the greatest trial of our lives. Our hears were broken, but through this we have seen God's grace evident in our lives as He continues to e faithful to us.
Soon after Ava's death, Amanda and I knew we wanted to do something to honor her memory. It was our dream to see her grow up on the mission field. So, with that in mind, we decided to remember by helping other missionaries. Through this, the Ava Memorial Fund has been set up through the BBFI Mission Office. The purpose of this fund will be to help missionaries who lose children. Amanda and I have been blessed to have our family and our sending church help us with the unexpected expenses that accrued in that most difficult time. For some missionaries, that is not always possible, especially if they are on the foreign field when tragedy strikes.
Although the BBFI Medical Plan has some provision for certain circumstances, the Ava Fund will help missionaries with some of the funeral expenses, medical expenses, or even travel expenses that will incur. It is our hope that this fund will never need to be used, but in the case that the unexpected happens, it will be there to help ease some of the burden of an already life-altering event.
Our Ava was never able to make it to Ethiopia; she did, however, make it Home before did, and we look forward to seeing her one day soon! It is our prayer that her short life will have an impact for Christ in ways that we cannot even begin to comprehend. By God's grace, the Ava Memorial Fund will have a part in that becoming a reality.
Contributions to the Ava Memorial Fund can be made through your church or by sending directly to the BBFI Mission Office: PO Box 191, Springfield, MO 65801. Please indicate "Ava Memorial Fund" in the memo of the check.
