Early Sunday morning I got a call from my mother that there had been a bad accident in Haiti. My Aunt and Uncle and their 5 youngest children are missionaries over there. My Uncle Tim, 16 year old cousin Sara, and 5 year old Gabriel were in a horrible accident on their way to church. Tim has some head injuries, broken arm, and multiple open wounds, Sara's knee was torn open and her neck cut pretty bad, and Gabriel was thrown from the vehicle and died at the accident with head and lung injuries. The other driver just never saw them and he unfortunately fled the scene, even leaving his passenger behind.
Tim and Sara have along recovery ahead of them, but their bodies will be fine. The loss of Gabriel however, words cant even describe. 11 years ago Tim and Joan lost their first son Joshua to a tragic drowning accident while they were missionaries in Tennessee. I just try not to think about how unbelievably hard this would be to handle. Tim and Joan are very strong though. This definitely isnt easy, but they have plans of finishing their work in Haiti and just fully trust that God has a plan for even a tragedy such as this. It has been a long week for all of us, but we have tons of friends and family that have come together and are praying for and supporting Joan, Tim and their 5 daughters.
As I was looking at Gabriels little body today in the casket, Joan came up and as we hugged all she could say was "he was my little fishin buddy" And he was. At that moment I couldnt think of anything to say, the embrace and look of afirmation was all I could do, and really all that was needed. I dont know what this winter will bring or when they will be able to go back to Haiti, but I will definitely be headed there to help them out at some point.
Tragedies and death just dont seem to happen all that often in my little portion of the world, really the only funerals I have even been to is my grandfather a few years ago and Joshua's 11 years ago.
Gabriel Joel Reinhard, 5, of Peoria died Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009 in Les Cayes, Haiti where his parents and family were involved with missionary work.
Gabriel was born March 12, 2004 in Pekin, IL, the son of Timothy and Joan Meister Reinhard.
Surviving are his parents; and five sisters, Kristin (Rodney)Menold of Peoria and Sarah, Bethany, Hannah, and Faith, all at home. Also surviving are his maternal grandmother; Rhoda Meister of Hanna City; his paternal grandparents, Dan (Delores)Reinhard of Remington, IN.; 17 aunts and uncles; and numerous cousins.
He was preceded in death by one brother; Joshua; and his maternal grandfather; Paul Meister:
Gabriel attended the Sheridan Road Apostolic Christian Church in Peoria. Gabriel loved being in Haiti with his family and enjoyed catching crabs on the beach and frogs and loved to go fishing. Gabriel was such a joy to our family. We thank God that he was a gift to us and that we had the chance to love and raise our son and brother:
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4p.m. and 6 to 9p.m. Thursday at the Apostolic Christian Fellowship Hall at 7329 W. Route 150 in Edwards, IL. Services will be held at 10:00a.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Apostolic Christian World Relief Haiti, restricted in Gabriel's name.
To send condolences to the family online, go to www.EndsleyFuneralHome.com.
.JPG)
My good friend Todd Staley has been renovating an old farm in Fulton County for quite awhile now! He has been working on a nice smallmouth bass pond, some wetlands, food plots, and just been transforming the farm into ideal habitat for ducks, geese, pheasants and deer..JPG)
.JPG)
