A Jon Post
Javan came in last night. What a joy and a privilege to have our good friend and brother join us here, be a part of our ministry, see our lives and share our Thanksgiving day this week. I went to the airport last night to pick him up. I was pretty giddy with anticipation. He is our first visitor and has been my best friend for many years. I really cannot express how much joy I had in my heart last night as I anticipated Javan joining me in my life, even for just the few days he’s here.
We took him to the Oncology ward with us today. Smiles, hugs, children and friends running around, eager to meet our good friend and try out any English phrase they may know.
And then it all changed.
Marcelino… dear, precious, 13-year-old Marcelino… is dying.
Last Friday, he was walking around, laughing, enjoying a new ultrasound image of Anaya, and all around getting better. Today was much different. Today he lay in a dirty hospital bed, deliriously moaning and holding the side of his head in tremendous pain. Today he could not muster the strength to get out of bed to go to the bathroom. Today… Marcelino’s weary body teeters upon the cusp of eternity. The pain in his body is the last thread that holds him to it.
This morning, I laughed, I praised God, I thanked Him for His blessings in my life.
This afternoon, I cried, I praised God, I thanked Him for Marcelino… and asked Him to take my friend quickly.
How fast it changes here. How quickly the joy of life is tempered by the sting and victory of the grave.
How fast it changes.