One of my students died this week. I've mentioned Michael in past Newsletters when he had a motorcycle accident, and then a burst appendix. He survived those, but suddenly was admitted to the hospital with what was initailly thought to be a brain tumor. It turned out to be an infection in his brain and on Wednesday August 27th he was called home.

Michael was a student at Singapore Bible College with a big smile. You'll see him in picture below, taken last semester. I have the same students this semester also. Michael lived in Malaysia just across the causeway from Singapore. He was one of the many people who cross the border every day for work and study in Singapore. He leaves behind a young daughter, and a wife who is pregnant with their second child.

Obviously I didn't know this would occur when I planned the class, but we "happened" to be studying the Psalms of Lament this week. My lesson included the sadness in Psalm 88 ("You have taken my companion from me."); The wisdom of Psalm 90 ("Teach us to number our days aright") and the trust in Psalm 23 ("The LORD is my shepherd").

Last week, as his situation was declining, my students talked freely about their feelings. This week, after his passing, they were quiet, reflective, numb. They tried to encourage one another through their weariness and shock.