Today, my blog will be unlike any other I’ve ever written. Today, is Sarah Buller’s 19th birthday. Sarah Buller was one of my teammates, and on Sunday, April 5th, Sarah died in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. I received the news via Facebook early Sunday afternoon. The news of the ordeal spread quickly throughout my team.
She was part of the 15 members of my team that went to Port Elizabeth for the second semester of our missions program. On Sunday, Sarah, two teammates-Kevin King and Lisa Derrah, and a South African named Tashreik (from their church there in P.E.) were headed to Jefferys Bay for the day. Kevin and Sarah were in the back, while Lisa was in the front along with Tashreik, who was driving. They lost control of the car. Sarah didn’t make it.
When I received the news, my world stopped. I couldn’t believe it and honestly, three days later it still doesn’t seem real. Being stateside and away from my team has never been harder than these last few days. Today there is a memorial for her in South Africa and I wish nothing more than to be able to be there, grieving and remembering with my team. Sarah was one of the few girls on the team that I’d gotten close with and she had become an amazing friend. She was from a large, loving, christian family in Minnesota. Though she was one of the several younger members of our team, she was well beyond her years.
As my entire team mourns the loss of such a wonderful servant of God, we draw strength from Christ. Sarah died doing exactly what she had a passion for, serving God and loving people. She was a funny, beautiful, hard-working girl and was dearly loved. The day after her death a group was created on Facebook for those of her friends and family that wanted to look back and honor her memory. I am proud to say that in just a few short days, that group has grown to the number of 421 members, increasing multiple times a day. She truly made an impact for Christ in this world! While it hurts us all deeply that she’s gone, we are confident that she is in the arms of our Father.
And what better place to spend your birthday?! So, here’s to you Sarah Buller! Here’s to the best birthday party ever, with God as your guest! We love you Sarah! We miss you! (I love you! I miss you!) You changed us all!
Bethany, What a beautifully written eulogy. It is wonderful to have friends of this calibur. I am sorry about the loss but am like you that Sarah is celebrating in Heaven with Jesus. May God bless your problem and heal you so that you can return to your calling.
Sweet Beth,
I know how difficult it must be for you to be away from your team during this tragic time. Your friend, Sarah, sounds like a beautiful servant of our Lord who was called home early to be with Him. My prayer is for you, your team and Sarah’s family to feel the love of Jesus surrounding them and the power of our Father lifting them up.
“Sam”
Happy Birthday Sarah.
2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
Beautifully written, Beth. We’ve been in constant contact with Jess over the past week…a young woman from our church died just a month ago, so this was the second hit for her. She, and the Swazi team seem to be doing okay…in fact, I believe that God is using this to His honor and glory, and is helping the tam to redefine their own relationships. We pray, in particular, for the PE team. Time will ease the loss….may the lessons learned never be forgotten….praise be to the One who spared not his own Son!
Lois Gourley