See you later, Dave.

  
We first met Dave and Linda when we were in training school and they were running the Salvation Army in Santa Monica California. The Harmons had just come back from several years serving as missionaries in Guam. That was their passion, to love and serve in places like the Caribbean, and Trinidad, and where ever else they were needed. 
They were back in the states and their hearts were broken. Both Dave and Linda were honest about how sad they were to have left a place they loved so much. What stood out to me more than anything else, was that they didn’t let their brokenness define them. They didn’t let their justified feelings of sadness stop them from loving God and serving OTHERS. They didn’t try to hide the pain with a mask of who they thought they should be. They were real about their hurt, but did their best anyway. 

I was in school learning how to be a strong Salvation Army Officer, and I was thankful to have such a great example right infront of me.  So when it came time to pick mentors, I knew straight away who I wanted to ask. I wanted to fully seize any opportunity I had to sit at the feet of the Harmons and learn from them. 

I didn’t expect them to have all the answers all of the time. All I wanted was for them to show us a way to serve God that was covered in gentleness and grace, with integrity and compassion, with selflessness and joy. Dave and Linda have always been that for us, and for countless others. 

I’m also thankful for Daves sense of humor. He made us laugh every time we were together. It was crazy to hear about all his adventures, like being a pilot or an instructor at Asbury University, because feel like Dave only told the same 15 stories over and over… and they were mostly about eating shark tacos on the beach in the Caribbean. I know they were there to work and share Jesus, but they must have also eaten a ton of shark tacos.

I also loved when we would go out to eat with Dave and Linda because it was terribly confusing to the wait staff. Being that we are both interracial couples, but swapped the colors of spouses, people often didn’t know who was with whom. It was as if every server thought, “Younger and older. White and black. I just don’t know what to do with this checkerboard!”

  
When we told our son that Dave was gone, he cried his little heart out. Once he was able to compose himself, he said, “I will always miss Dave. But I know that our lives were better because he was a part of them.” I couldn’t have said it any better. 

Dave, you will be missed. You are a gift that many will treasure for ever. You had kingdom impact that will last for eternity. Thank you for who you were, and all you did. Your love and support will never be forgotten.

Until we are with you in paradise, see you later brother.