Please be praying!

It is with deep sadness that I write this post.  Last night we were informed by Andy(our pastor and friend) that a young man, Nate Henn, was killed in the terrorists bombs in Uganda yesterday.

Nate was in the youth group where Andy served as Youth Pastor in Delaware.  Nate accompanied Andy and Erin on various missions trips with a deep heart and passion for ministry during his youth group years. He then went on to become a missionary in Uganda.

This is a tragedy to us as believers but not a surprise to our All-powerful, mighty God.

I am reminded of what Joseph said to his brothers years after they had sold him into slavery....

Genesis 50:20
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Please be in prayer for his family and for the people he has ministered to.  Pray for the hearts of those
who are left questioning why, and are grieving the loss of a friend, son, brother.  That this would turn their eyes to Jesus and would further His kingdom.

This was what Andy had to say in an email this morning,

"Erin and I are heart-broken and grieving over the loss of a precious brother, former student and friend who lost his life in a blast in Kampala, Uganda last evening.

I received a call from my family members who serve in Kampala around 8:45 last evening with the news that Nate had been killed.  I then spoke with Bob Henn, Nate’s dad, later in the evening as we wept and ran to Jesus together.

Nate loved the Lord.  He grew tremendously in his faith during our youth group days together.  His first missions experiences were with us on our trips around the world.  His passion for the Lord was real and expressed in his compassion for others in need.  Today he celebrates his salvation completely.

It is all over the news…here is the story from Invisible Children, the organization Nate was serving.

It is with deep sadness that we write to tell you that one of our dear friends has been lost in the terrorist attack earlier today in Kampala.  Nate "Oteka" Henn was killed by an explosion that ripped through a rugby field where hundreds of people had gathered to watch the final match of the World Cup.

Nate worked with us at Invisible Children for a year and a half and leaves behind a legacy of honor, integrity, and service.  From traveling the United States without pay advocating for the freedom of abducted child soldiers in Joseph Kony's war, to raising thousands of dollars to put war-affected Ugandan students in school, Nate lived a life that demanded explanation.  He sacrificed his comfort to live in the humble service of God and of a better world, and his is a life to be emulated.

Nate was determined to go to Uganda and see the homeland of the friends he had made on tour.  His love for the Ugandan students he had worked with is exemplified in the deep friendships he forged with them.  He was not serving some idea of downtrodden Africa.  He was serving Innocent, Tony, Boni, Ronald, Papito, Sunday, and Lilian.  These are some of our Ugandan students who fell in love with Nate's wit, strength, character and steadfast friendship.  They gave him the Acholi name "Oteka", which means "The Strong One."  Some of them were with him at the time of the attack.

Nate was not a glory-seeker and never sought the spotlight.  He asked not to be made a hero of.

But the life he lived inspires reflection and imitation.

In a facebook status update he made just before his trip to Uganda, he wrote, "thank you for helping me achieve my dream of getting to Uganda" and while there he wrote home about being in the best days of his life and loving his time with his Ugandan friends.

Nate's life ended while living out this dream, a selfless dream of putting others first, seeking peace, and living a life of integrity.  He will be forever missed, forever remembered, and his legacy will live on in our love and deeds.

For more information and news about the the terrible attack, click here for the New York Times article.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38194835/ns/world_news-africa (video with nate in it)