Farewell to Mark, Angie and Luke Byler

The true measure of faith is rarely realized in calm seas where the sailing is smooth. The strength of the anchor rarely tested in sheltered harbors. However faith in difficult circumstances and a firm anchor during tumultuous times; these are true treasures indeed. Imagine your power being off for more hours than on. Ice trays melt; drinks go to room temperature. Freezers defrost and food spoils. Imagine water not coming through pipes when you open the faucet and having to carry buckets of water to bathe and flush toilets. Imagine needing a quiet and restful day, yet constantly having people coming to your door, each with great needs which they expect you to meet. Imagine having to drive 50 miles over very bad roads; dusty, potholed, and barely wide enough for two lanes to get to the nearest grocery store, to meet with friends in town, to eat out, or just to have a break from your routine. Imagine trying to run a hospital where government funds, drugs and equipment fail to materialize and becoming reliant on generous donors to supply funds with which you must scrounge to resource scarce supplies. Then imagine doing it all alone. Are you there?

Since 1994, Mark and Angie Byler have served as long term volunteers at Sanyati Baptist Hospital. Mark is a doctor and Angie is a nurse. Their son Luke, just graduated from Rift Valley Academy in Kenya. Their faith is genuine, their joy in serving the Lord is unmistakable, their impact on their community is eternal. They have loved, served, taken care of volunteers as well as patients, have lived a life of interruptions, have done without, and yet their faith in our Lord lies anchored in Christ. Their lives serve as an example to each of us to be faithful and obedient to Christ – no matter where we are or what our circumstances. They can teach us that CHRIST HIMSELF is the true treasure for which we should be seeking and He is worthy of any sacrifice. Mark and Angie – we love you. You have blessed our lives. You will be greatly missed. Maita zvakanaka! (Well Done!) Fambai naMwari! (Go with God!) Submitted by Gregg Fort