Phillip

Yesterday, I found out a friend of mine had passed away.
Phillip was a short, cheerful chap with extraordinary talent in playing guitars. I remember the last time we spoke, he came up to me and said, "Hey Shawn, do you want to come to my concert? I performing on the 15th of december ah." Our short conversations would always amuse me cause Phillip has got this funny vietnamese accent. Usually I would reply with an awkward smile accompanied by a puzzled look. Well, I guess he understood that I was slow to catch his words so he would return me with a smile (with a little frown on his face) and repeat himself again...

P: Hey Shawn, do you want to come to my concert? I performing on the 15th of december.
S: Huh?
P: Fif-tin di-cember ah. Con-sert. My con-sert.
S: Huh?
P: Coooncerrt.

Hahah, Phillip was so funny. He was very brave too.

I never heard Philip complain about anything once. And what more, through him, our church youths got to see the marvelous powers of our Jesus Christ. I remember the first time I saw him, he was wearing a black long sleeved shirt and an old navy blue cap. If I'm not wrong, that was his first time coming to our church. Pastor Jeremy went over to speak to him (being the 'over-friendly' christians that we are), he learns that Phillip is sick. You see, Phillip has leukemia. And he was wearing his cap to hide his baldness from the treatments. Jeremy then motioned us to put our hands on Phillip and pray for him. I was sitting four rows behind him. I stretched my hand in his direction and prayed: Dear God, I don't know who he is, but please, heal him. Help him in his life and be very close to him. Meet him Jesus. Cause I know if you do, he is safe.

God was true to his word. A few weeks later, Phillip was found healed.

I'll confess that Phillip and I weren't the best of friends and we didn't even talk much. And I still don't really know what happened to him, or what caused his death. But I know, where he is now, is a safe place. Well, Phillip, I guess it's time for you to rest. You have done well dear brave brother. Really sorry for not going to your concert, but I'm sure you did well, you always impressed me with your crazy guitar plucking. Take care buddy. We will miss you.