God's Perfect Rest

We received sad news this week: a church brother and friend died. The news was a shock. Our friend, Mr. Gutsmore, had recently undergone surgery in order to treat a long time illness that doctors were unable to pinpoint and address effectively. From all accounts, the surgery went well, and his strength seemed to be returning quickly. However, Tuesday night he felt ill and was short of breath. Not long after the troubles arose that night, Brother Gutsmore was with his Savior.

Kirsten and I met Bro. Gutsmore on our exploratory visit in November 2008 when we came as a members of an 18-person team to serve in Buff Bay. He drove me to my first preaching engagement. That would not be the last time he would give me a lift to teach. When we landed last year to begin ministering, Bro. Gutsmore was a great encouragement to us. His faithfulness and delight in the Lord was evident and through it was a blessing to many.

Brother Gutsmore was Buff Bay's tailor. There may be others, but everyone knows Bro. G. His shop is on the main road, so Kirsten and I would often make a point to stop in and chat. Gutsmore's health had been on the decline for many months. The illness he faced left him unable to eat and keep food down. Therefore, he was often depleted of energy and very weak and could not keep up his weight. A thin man to begin with, he lost decent poundage since we arrived. Despite the nagging persistence of sickness and fatigue, I never heard him complain once! His testimony and faith in Christ strengthened instead of decreased through his sickness. He trusted in the goodness in God even when the evidence said he should not.

Gutsmore was one of the few male voices in the choir, a deacon of the church, a husband, father, community bulwark, and friend. More importantly he was a child of God and has gone before us to be with Him, for which celebrate and praise the Lord!