Reflections by Sara Blyth

I was sitting under the flame tree at Niger Creek where I always spend my free time. Book in hand, I sat on the tree root talking to a friend from school. We were in hot debate about which was better: Star Wars or Star Trek. I wasn't expecting Dad to come pick me up for at least another hour.

Suddenly, our blue van drove in the gate and Dad pulled up beside me.

"Time to go already?" I asked Dad, running up to the driver's side. Dad just looked at me for a moment.

"You haven't heard?" Uh oh, I thought to myself. Dad looked serious and as if he'd been crying. What happened? I wondered.

"Heard what?" I asked cautiously. I was afraid to hear his answer.

"There was a car accident and Christina Lee was killed." I'd never ever heard Dad use that tone of voice before, and it scared me. For a split second, I thought he might be joking. But after another quick look at his face and the tear stains on both cheeks, I knew he was serious.

"Hyo Jin? She died? What happened?" I remember asking, almost choking on those few words. Dad shook his head and I could see how difficult it was for him to talk about it.

"The Lees and Chuns were on their way back from Yankari and their car flipped over. Hyo Jin (Christina) was thrown from the car." I could feel the blood draining from my face. "Do you want to come home now or wait until later?" Dad continued. I shook my head. No, I wanted to be in the company of my friends to share the shock and grief.

Soon, a group of us formed under the tree, and I had to break the news to them. They all burst into tears immediately and we just sat there holding each other, crying desperately. Someone asked if Hyo Jin was a Christian and the affirmative reply was so quick that I knew she must have been a strong one at that. I wish I'd known her. I'd had so many opportunities as her sister in SIM to talk to her, share with her. But I'd never taken the time to get to know her, experience her personality and the joy I've heard she had. The only thing I'd ever noticed about this precious girl was that she always seemed to be smiling. I passed her on her way to algebra every day and she was always grinning from ear to ear. Yes, she was a joyful person.

It's been four months since the accident--four long months. Even though I never really knew her, I still think about her often, wondering what she's doing in heaven at the time. Is she on the heavenly NBA which she was so hoping she could join? Is she singing "Jesus Loves Me" with all the other angels? Or is she sitting at the feet of Jesus, asking Him all the questions she never got to ask on Earth?

Sometimes at night, I'll picture her smiling, then see in my mind the car from which she was thrown. It flips over and over and someone screams like no other scream I've heard. I wake up sweating and horrified. A few weeks after the accident I got up the courage to go and see the car. Two of my SIM brothers took me into the garage to see it. The minute I stepped into the room, I smelled something horrible; Stephen told me that it was dried blood. I couldn't help gagging as we continued into the room to the car. The whole passenger side of the car was bent in, but the driver's side was virtually undamaged. As I stood there, looking into the vehicle's interior, I couldn't help thinking how merciful God was to have spared the other passengers. It's a miracle they survived without any serious injury! On the back seat I saw what appeared to be mud and commented to Stephen,

"Must have gotten on the seat when the car flipped onto its side, huh?" But Stephen merely shook his head.

"Actually, they thought that 'mud' was dried blood." Revolted, I turned away from the car and left the room. By the time I got into the bright sunlight and fresh air outside, I was sobbing. God spared the others, so why did he take Hyo Jin? It would all be a lie if I were to say that I understand now why one so young was taken away from us. She was only a year younger than I am. It could have even been me in that car. What would I have done if I'd had to sit in a car and watch my best friend die?

Yesterday, the EMS [ECWA's Nigerian missionary arm] hostel had a first anniversary celebration for the opening of the hostel and a memorial service for Hyo Jin combined. A few of the little EMS missionary kids put on a skit dedicated to Hyo Jin about missionary kids who set the example for other mk's. Hyo Jin Lee wanted to grow up to be a missionary doctor, but it wasn't meant to be. The EMS children, however, challenged us to take the torch from where our sister had fallen, and continue the race. As I sat in my chair, I knew that the challenge was meant for me. I for one want to take that torch and carry it high for Christ Jesus! I want Hyo Jin to look down from heaven, side by side with Jesus Himself and say, "All right! Now my work is complete, and I'm proud!"

We've all had the challenge to go out there and tell the world about our Lord. How many more will have to die before we put on our running shoes and accept the challenge set before us?