Goodbye My Friend

It's sad that it takes a death of a young person to fill our church beyond it's maximum capacity. What's worse is that many will soon forget this event and return to their everyday lives, forgetting that eternity may be a breath away. 

Last night, I found the following words of wisdom in the most unexpected place - a Dove chocolate wrapper: Dream as if you are going to live forever. Live as if you are going to die tomorrow. Rest in peace my friend, I will not forget you.

~ Filipp C.

Tragic Death

The news of your death shocked me. How could this be? I saw you last Thursday Rafael. Who would have known that those were your last days? What happened? I can't even imagine how you were feeling out there in the snow.... naked and freezing. What were your last thoughts? What were your last words? What was it like before you entered that cold and peaceful state of oblivion? Was there sadness and humiliation involved in someone taking your clothes or were you thinking about the dreams that would never come true? Were you hoping to see the face of your parents for one last time as you realized that it was your last night?

I have so many questions Rafael and so little answers. I do know however, that your death was within God's will and ultimately for his glory. I pray that Christ's name may be glorified through your death even more than it was in your life. I truly believe that if God has taken you into his presence, you are so much happier there than you were, here on earth. Oh, I can just imagine you praising God with your great voice of tenor, together with the angels and all the saints. If heaven is were your soul found it's rest, I can't wait to join you there my friend. I cannot even picture what it's like to be eternally praising God and bathing in his glory. I remember your love for playing the piano. I don't know if they have pianos in heaven but, I know that you would not be disappointed. I long to be there soon... Together with all the saints, I will praise him forever!!!

~Filipp C.

Second Day

First Day

So here are some more pictures from our first day at the beach house. We had some great times! The girls and Alex :-) helped prepare some of the best meals I ever ate. We had allot of free time to hang out and play pool, ping-pong, and football. The house was perfect for our group of twenty-six people. 

In the evening, I lead a Bible study on the new birth (aka: regeneration). It was sad to see that the majority of our young people had no clue what the new birth is or what it produces and how it comes about. My prayer and deepest wish is that all of the young people in our cell group will truly experience this supernatural, regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. It truly is better to have it (the new birth) and not be able to put a name on it, than to be able to put a name on it and not have it. 

~ Filipp C.

Beach House

Wow, what a crazy day... For the past three days I have been working 12 hour shifts at the hospital and sleeping an average of four hours a night! Tonight I'll just post several pictures of our cell group members before we left to the beach house. In the subsequent evenings, Ill try to post some more pictures from this exciting event.

~Filipp C.