David Hames Update

This update was sent today to Vanguard Church, the church family of the Hames family:

The State Department called Renee this morning and shared the news with her that it is official. They have recovered David’s body. Four weeks ago today we learned the beginning and now devastating news that David was in the Hotel Montana when the earthquake occurred. Over the past four weeks, we have agonized with the Hames family. Unfortunately, for Renee, the boys, family, and friends this is not the outcome we were praying for as a community of faith. God has said no to our request to bring David home alive. God has seen fit to take David home to his eternal home. Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 4:1313 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will ALWAYS be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.Psalm 116:15 says, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.David is with the Lord. We are happy for David. We are grieving with Renee and the boys for the loss of David. No, we don’t understand. No, we may never understand. But regardless, we trust the Lord. He knows best and He is our Sovereign Lord over every step of our journey. Before one day was God knows them all to be. (Psalm 139) He knew January 12, 2010 would be as it was for David, Renee, and the boys. We grieve with Renee and the boys. We love them very much. We will be coming together at our midweek service this Wednesday at 6pm for a time of worship and prayer for the Hames family. Please join us. We will have more details in the future in regard to a memorial service in honor of David.Thank you for caring the burdens through prayer and serving over these past four weeks. May the Lord strengthen you during this confusing time and may you lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path through this. Please specifically lift Renee and the boys up in prayer today. Dear God, cover them with your hand of comfort as they weep for their fallen hero. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen.

Sincerely,
Pastor Kelly