"Each Life That Touches Ours for Good"

Midway through this week, I received some sad news regarding one of my mission companions. He was killed in an automobile accident. I couldn't believe it but pretty soon, everyone I served with in the Japan Nagoya Mission was talking about it. I was of course heartbroken because he was too young. Adding to the tragedy, he got married to a lovely woman in the Church last November. In short, hearing that news really put a damper on my day. His name was Masashi Imaizumi and he was my very first Japanese companion in the mission field. We proselyted in the city of Toyohashi located in Aichi Prefecture together for a little over a transfer before I got sent to Suzuka in the Mie Prefecture. In essence, our time was short but we had a lot of great memories and experiences. I couldn't help but look through my mission pictures and find the ones of me and him...

Together we were two goofballs, but we were like brothers...

Music has always brought comfort to me during times like this and once again, I think of the lyrics to the following Hymn:

Each life that touches ours for good

Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;

Thou sendest blessings from above

Thru words and deeds of those who love.

What greater gift dost thou bestow,

What greater goodness can we know

Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways

Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

When such a friend from us departs,

We hold forever in our hearts

A sweet and hallowed memory,

Bringing us nearer, Lord, to the.

For worthy friends whose lives proclaim

Devotion to the Savior's name,

Who bless our days with peace and love,

We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.

(Hymn #293 'Each Life That Touches Ours for Good')

The two of us in shades. We were so cool!

I never thought that someone I knew, someone I had a chance to work with and get to know better would suddenly be taken away from us in less than two years time... Granted, I remember him as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But he was a mighty fine missionary serving as the Lord's representative in his home country! Though our time together in the mission field was shorter than initially expected, we had great times together. He was quiet and very observant, but he served with all his heart, might, mind, and strength. He knew the Japanese people better than me. He knew the missionary efforts in Toyohashi very well. And he was a great companion to proselyte with. It was an honor and privilege to have been able to work with him, even though our time together in Toyohashi was cut short unexpectedly. We biked through the rain and humidity and we were blessed to have been able to finish our missions together near the beginning of 2012.

The two of us standing in the left at the end of our missions.

Now that he's gone, I value the friendship and camaraderie we shared even more. And even though his sudden passing brought a painful sting to those of us who knew him, the knowledge we have through the gospel of Jesus Christ brings assurance and comfort to us to know that it's all for the best... Yes, I'm sad that he died at a young age. And I'm sad for his widowed wife; I can't imagine what she is going through in the wake of this tragedy. God allows things to happen for a reason and we can't always comprehend the will of God. But no matter what, we're better off putting our trust in Him. I have a testimony of that. It isn't easy but it's the best way to deal with it. And I know we'll run into each other again. We know about the Plan of Salvation and we are a part of it. And I know for a fact my former mission companion, my brother, Masashi Imaizumi is one who touched my life good as well as the lives of many others. He and I were like brothers and I looked up to him often. My deepest thoughts and testimony of these things I leave with you, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.