David Sacks: A Warrior 1968-2013

Our friend, David Sacks, died of cancer earlier this month.  It is a great loss to so many who have been beautifully affected by a life well lived.  

I shared this memory with him and a special group of his friends via Facebook a few days before he died.

It was Christmas time of 07 when I met David Sacks. I had met Angie (his beautiful wife) a few weeks or months earlier at our community group (at our church in PA) and had barely started getting to know her. David's reputation as a world class photographer was talked about here and there...just enough for Steve and I to kinda realize that he was really good (really, really good) at what he did. We had not actually met him yet b/c he was often away at shoots (sometimes in exotic places). So, it was as we were walking up to our friend's home for a Christmas party that a man we did not recognize also came walking up. He kindly introduced himself and I suddenly realized that here, standing at the door with us, was THE David Sacks. I said something brilliant like, "I like photography" and I remember mentally smacking myself upside the head :) 

But David and Angie were always completely approachable...they are so warm and genuine. We got to know them more as our community group met in their home...again, always warm and genuine. David and Angie...we are so thankful to call you friends. We have both been affected by your kindnesses. David, I especially want to thank you for the times you have helped and counseled Steve. There were a few times that school was really a struggle for Steve and you spoke words of wisdom and truth to him. Angie, I am so thankful for the few times we were able to get together and enjoy coffee and for the times God used you to encourage me. To both of you, our time in Philly with Steve in grad school was the most stressful we have ever experienced. We both look back and wish had been able to pursue deeper friendship and connections with so many. We look back and feel like you two always gave more than you received in return from us...we know that God used you very purposefully to minister to us and we are thankful to our Lord. We know that God will heal you completely, although we understand it may a healing in heaven instead of here on earth. We are balancing the truth that our Lord can heal you here on earth and praying for that miracle while understanding the medical situation and praying for your rest and peace. Some of our prayers have changed, but not the LOVE that we pray them with. We love you Sacks Family!

I confess that David's struggle with cancer and his death make no earthly sense to me.  God's ways are mysterious and sometimes (often?) I simply cannot understand them.  David touched many, many lives and pointed so many to the Lord.  His photography is amazing, celebrated, and literally has saved lives.  Here's a blog post by one of our pastors at Covenant Fellowship in PA who is the director of Covenant Mercies, a non-profit dedicated to orphan care.  Please read it.  And consider purchasing David's book, True Africa.  All proceeds benefit Covenant Mercies.

David leaves behind Angie, his precious wife, and their four young children.  Again, I do not understand, but ask you to join us in covering them in prayer.  Angie is simply amazing...she is passionate about our Lord.  She is fun and elegant, generous and kind...and she shouldered David's care with incredible strength and courage.  I know the Lord is supplying her with grace to walk this heartbreaking road...many prayers for the days, weeks, months, and years to come.

I desperately wanted to attend David's memorial service, but we weren't able to make a trip to PA at that time.  I have longed to be with our friends...to grieve together and remember together.  I have felt very far away...painfully far away.  

The death of friends at too early an age has long been part of how God has drawn me to him.  Yes, death is something we will all experience...the death of family and friends, and one day, our own.  But it feels very wrong when death occurs "out of order"...young families should not have to bury their husband and father...parents should not have to plan a service for their children.  It does not seem right.

But I turn to a God who has walked me through my own grief in losing an infant son.  I turn to a God who promises that physical death is not the end.  I turn to a God who cares for our hurts and counts our tears.  I turn to Jesus who conquered death when he rose from the grave...and I turn to His promises.

"For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere."  Psalm 84: 10

"He will swallow up death forever; the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces."  Isaiah 25: 8

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."  Psalm 147: 3

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall their be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."  Revelation 21: 4

Rachel~