A few weeks ago Kevin and Roweena Palmer flew from Salt Lake City to Johannesburg to be by the side of their missionary son, Matthew who was in a Johannesburg Hospital in critical condition. Matthew was serving a mission in Madagascar, a very poor island country in South Africa, when he began experiencing severe headaches. He was transported to Johannesburg, and it was determined that he had intercranial bleeding from a vessel in his brain. After a few days in the hospital, fluid started to build up, so a shunt was placed to drain the fluid and relieve the pressure. While coming out of the anesthesia, Matthew had a major bleed in his brain and was put on a ventilator. Slowly, he made progress, and by the time his parents arrived, he was able to respond to their questions by squeezing their hands.
The Area doctor, Dr. Barton and his wife, Connie, who are Senior Missionaries from the US work right across the hall from us in the Area Office and they had been keeping us informed of Matthews progress. All the Senior Missionaries in the Area Office and the Temple had been praying for Matthew, as I am sure were the missionaries in Madagascar and probably all over South Africa.
When the Palmers arrived, the Senior Missionary Couples literally wrapped Kevin and Roweena in their arms and carried them through what was the most devastating thing a parent can go through. They were given an apartment in Duke's Court, where twenty plus Senior Missionary Couples live. Connie Barton arranged to have the Palmers invited to dinner by one of the couples every night they were in Johannesburg. Dr. Barton and Connie, were by the Palmers side night and day.
We first, met Kevin and Roweena when we had them to our apartment for dinner. We spent an hour or so together as they proudly shared with us what a very talented young man Matthew was. When we took them back to the hospital after dinner I suggested they take Matthew's music and play it for him. (Matthew had recorded several CD's of his own music before he left for his mission). When The Palmers returned from their visit they were happy to report that Matthew had squeezed their hands really hard when they had asked him if he liked listening to the music. The next day when we saw Kevin and Roweena they reported that they didn't see much change in Matthew. Two days later they were informed that Matthew was not showing signs of brain activity. We had been expecting to have dinner with the Palmers and the Lee's that night, however, we received a call from the Barton's informing us that the Palmer's were going to be calling their children at home to tell them Matthew would have to be taken off life support.
There was a heavy cloud hanging over Duke's court and the Area Office that next week. We all knew the pain the Palmers must be in. I don't think there was one of us who didn't think about how devastated we would be if it had been our son. Our hearts hurt for Kevin and Roweena and their family at home. We watched as they made very difficult decisions those last few days before they boarded the plane for the US leaving Matthew's body behind.
This was one of those tragedies that you find yourself wondering, "How could God let this happen?" Matthew was a wonderful young man who had his whole life ahead of him. He had devoted 2 years of his life to serve his Heavenly Father and to bring others unto Christ.
I know that bad things do happen to good people. I don't believe God "let's things happen." I think there are times he doesn't intervene. There are tragedies in our lives every day. I don't believe that God "causes" the bad things to happen. I know that God loves each and everyone of us. We are his children. He weeps when we weep. What I witnessed those 10 days that Kevin and Roweena were here, was evidence of God's love for them. I witnessed miracle after miracle that occurred that week.
Kevin and Roweena took a flight from Salt Lake City expecting to be by their son's bedside while he recovered and a week later they were making decisions about donating their sons organs. The Palmers were far from home, in a strange country when they sat by Matthew's hospital bed and said their final good-byes. I marveled at the strength of Kevin and Roweena as they faced those last few days in Johannesburg. I know without a doubt that they were blessed. I know that Heavenly Father had orchestrated every detail of their lives that week. I know that our lives will be changed for having witnessed the miracles that occurred in the lives of a grieving mother and father that week.
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| The Lee's the Kinghorn's and the Palmers |
To read an article about Matthew click on the link below
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=30549144
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