Friday, March 19, 2010
Our Friend and Brother
Below is a message from one of our staff members concerning the death of our dear friend and co-worker, Mike Druding. We appreciate your prayers as the Wheeler Family experiences such a deep loss.
Rick
The Wheeler Mission family recently lost Mike Druding as he and his father, Vincent went to be with the Lord after a carbon monoxide accident at Vincent’s home. Mike, a 2007 Hebron Program graduate was there doing what Mike does, gratefully serving his family after the recent death of his mother left much to do. Mike was 49.
If you knew Mike, you were drawn in by his joy and passion for Jesus, and you were affected by his contagious smile. Mike had been mercifully saved from a lifestyle of addiction that had him alone and hopeless, on the brink of death. He had spent the last 3 years of his life serving and sharing that hope with men that desperately needed to hear it.
Ecclesiastes 7 says that “A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.” Mike’s name was good, known for his infectious smile. The scene at the funeral was not one of despair, but instead was one of celebration of a life that was rich. Not because of an empty accumulation of wealth, but was represented by the multitude of men (brothers) that stood up in the congregation as lives that Mike had impacted. The scene was breathtaking.
When you lose a friend early in their life, you are reminded at how temporary our time here is. It’s too short to waste chasing things the world has to offer. Mike will be known for the goodness that he did and the gratitude that he spread once Jesus saved him. He will be missed, but there is no mistaken that he had completed the work that God was doing with him and is now experiencing what we as Christians long for.
You can see the Mike Druding Tribute Video at www.facebook.com/hebronalumni .
Brian Crispin
Rick
The Wheeler Mission family recently lost Mike Druding as he and his father, Vincent went to be with the Lord after a carbon monoxide accident at Vincent’s home. Mike, a 2007 Hebron Program graduate was there doing what Mike does, gratefully serving his family after the recent death of his mother left much to do. Mike was 49.
If you knew Mike, you were drawn in by his joy and passion for Jesus, and you were affected by his contagious smile. Mike had been mercifully saved from a lifestyle of addiction that had him alone and hopeless, on the brink of death. He had spent the last 3 years of his life serving and sharing that hope with men that desperately needed to hear it.
Ecclesiastes 7 says that “A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.” Mike’s name was good, known for his infectious smile. The scene at the funeral was not one of despair, but instead was one of celebration of a life that was rich. Not because of an empty accumulation of wealth, but was represented by the multitude of men (brothers) that stood up in the congregation as lives that Mike had impacted. The scene was breathtaking.
When you lose a friend early in their life, you are reminded at how temporary our time here is. It’s too short to waste chasing things the world has to offer. Mike will be known for the goodness that he did and the gratitude that he spread once Jesus saved him. He will be missed, but there is no mistaken that he had completed the work that God was doing with him and is now experiencing what we as Christians long for.
You can see the Mike Druding Tribute Video at www.facebook.com/hebronalumni .
Brian Crispin
