Hi there, this is Jodi. Last year about this time we heard horrible news that a young man who we were in the Dominican Republic with the summer of 2010 had been in a car accident. His name was Holt Rowland. If you have our wrist bands, have seen the FCA baseball shirts or know our ministry you will see HR10 adorned with pride along with Holt's favorite verse, John 3:30. The accident occurred on November 9th, and Holt lived on machines until the next day and his organs were donated. His parents Dave and Kim, and his brother Hunter Rowland have become dear friends of ours even though we met only them for the 1st time right after Holt went to be with the Lord. Their faith during such a trying time was a blessing for me to see. Kim raising her hand in praise and singing after the loss she just experienced made me think, what do you have so that you can do that....and it is faith!
Once a fierce rival, Pierce County (where Holt #10 played baseball) and Wesleyan are now joined in the love of Christ and Holt. During this anniversary time, the Rowlands and all of Pierce County Nation was heavy on my heart. When I started thinking of what I could do for the family, I thought of making them a video. What it turned out to be for me was a reminder of what really matters in life. We will never know when we will take our last breath, but it is how prepared we are when that happens and how much love we have shown the world that is really important. I only spent a few instances in the DR with Holt but the time I spent with those who love him and hearing the stories while watching a video of his memorial service, it is evident that Holt Rowland got it. I pray for comfort for his family and friends, but I know their faith and that they know one day they will be with him again. It brings them joy to see countless souls now walking in Christ due to hearing their sons story. They even knew how much Holt loved the DR and how excited he was for our upcoming ministry and they wanted donations in Holt's memory last fall to go to our ministry. Pierce County Nation is part of making our ministry happen here and we are thankful. I hope you have time to watch the video, it may change your life, or share it in order that it might change someone else's. We don't have Holt but we know that his story will inspire others to commit to walking Christ.
If you don't have time for the video, it is about 12 mins, then here are some visuals, I felt were good reminders to all of us:
This picture below was discovered after Holt's passing. He had faith that his deer stand was in a great place although no one else believed him because no on had ever seen or shot a deer there before. That picture is one of the two deer caught on the trail camera around 5 AM.
This picture below was discovered after Holt's passing. He had faith that his deer stand was in a great place although no one else believed him because no on had ever seen or shot a deer there before. That picture is one of the two deer caught on the trail camera around 5 AM.
Holt, we miss you and we are blessed that your story is alive in the Dominican Republic.
In His Grip,
Jodi
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