Triumph Over Tragedy

Overcoming grief by making a difference in the lives of others. By Patty Hutchens.

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”

-Dalai Lama

It can be overwhelming, debilitating, and exhausting. Grief. We experience a devastating loss, and our life’s path is suddenly derailed. We question. We get angry. We try to move forward.

For three young North Idaho adults, the grief they experienced became transforming. Although the tragedies they endured differed from one another, the three were united in how they transformed their grief into something positive. They triumphed over their tragedies. That is not to say there are not heart wrenching, sad days. There are. But knowing they have made a difference in the world has helped these young people move on and carry on the memory of their loved ones. Their stories are inspiring.

Brooke Williams first went on a ten day mission trip to Nicaragua with her father Gary in 2010; she had no idea how the adventure would change her life. While there, her father bonded and played baseball with the children in an orphanage. When he learned that the children couldn’t compete in baseball unless they have uniforms, Gary made it his goal to provide the young children with them.

Before Gary could realize his dream of returning to Nicaragua, he passed away. In a tribute to her father, Brooke and her mother Karen returned to Nicaragua in 2012 with uniforms for the young orphaned children, honored to fulfill Gary’s vision. But that was not the end of mission trips for Brooke.

In May she traveled to Kenya on a student led mission trip. There, she worked in a clinic administering to the less fortunate. She learned to blood type, take pulses, respirations and blood pressure. She also worked in the pharmacy filling prescriptions as well as helping with physicals at the local schools. “This trip was definitely life confirming,” said Brooke who plans to work in the medical field. “I say this because God definitely confirmed that I am on the right path and that His will for my life is to do medical missions.”

While all these trips are special in some way, it is that first trip she made with her father that she holds close to her heart. “I would not have had it any other way,” reflects Brooke. “Having him with me and teaching me how to be independent and experiencing all those things with him was very special.”

As she moves forward and plans her next trip later this year, Brooke knows her father would be very proud of the work she is doing. “He and my mom always encouraged me, even if it meant going out of my comfort zone,” she said. “I’ve learned to be comfortable about being uncomfortable.”

Jacob Porter also suffered a horrific loss. Last November his sister Kayle was struck and killed by a train. Just 19 years old, Kayle had a full wonderful life ahead of her. Kayle had gone to Honduras on a mission trip a couple of years before, and at the time of her death was saving money to return this past summer with her boyfriend, Brandon, and Jacob. Her love of the people of Honduras, especially the young children, was something she spoke of often. Unable to go with Kayle on her first mission trip due to work obligations, Jacob was determined to join her on this one. “For the first few months we were having meetings at the church after services with our mission team,” recalls Jacob. “We would talk about fundraisers and how we were going to raise the money to go.” When Kayle died, a memorial was set up in Kayle’s name that helped Jacob and Brandon and the group cover expenses.

The ten day trip involved building a pastor training center and also teaching Bible School. “I worked on the training center and in the evening helped with vacation Bible school. It was tons of fun working with the little kids and teaching them about the Lord,” said Jacob who knows his sister would be very proud of the work he and Brandon accomplished in her memory.

“I plan to go on more mission trips,” said Jacob adding that he was humbled by the experience and encourages others to take the opportunity to serve. “You will see stuff that will break your heart, and you will want to do everything you can to help out. You will also realize when you see how people live in other countries that we do not need all the things we have.”

For Natasha Wilkerson, her belief in God is what has sustained her through this past year. Adopted from Russia at the age of 10, Natasha lived in Bonners Ferry. An avid soccer player, she met the love of her life while playing in an adult soccer league. “Josh’s family taught me to play soccer,” recalls Natasha of Josh Wilkerson, the man she fell in love with. It was a whirlwind romance and the two married in July 2013, when Natasha was just 19 years old. “We knew we were perfect for each other.”

But her world was shattered less than a month after their wedding. She had just returned from soccer practice at North Idaho College to the couple’s Coeur d’Alene apartment when she received a message from her father-in-law. Josh had been killed in a car accident.

“My mind was automatically covered in a cloud of disbelief that could not be lifted for several months. It was like walking in a haze with no clear path in sight,” recalls Natasha.

When planning her husband’s memorial, it was decided as a tribute to one of Josh’s greatest passions, the family would request donations of soccer balls in lieu of flowers.

“Word got out quickly and soon everyone who attended the service donated at least one soccer ball. Our idea was that we would donate these soccer balls to Parks and Recreation in memory of Josh,” said Natasha. “But the donated soccer balls ended up going farther than just Parks and Recreation.”

Natasha had been on a mission trip in 2011 in Nicaragua, something she called life changing. “The first thought that came into my mind when I was looking at the donated soccer balls was that the children in Nicaragua, who have next to nothing, would be thrilled to have some of these,” said Natasha. So she approached her in-laws who agreed it was a fantastic idea and one that would make Josh happy. “Before we knew it we were flying to Central America to distribute the balls.”

It was another life changing trip for Natasha. “During the week that I was in Nicaragua with my team and in-laws, I figured out a lot about myself,” said Natasha who says she was angry with God. “But seeing the joy on the faces of the children and the adults, as we gave a giant pile of soccer ball to the village leaders, filled my soul with the memory of Josh, grace, and love.”

As she vows to live her life the way Josh did, with a full heart and grateful for each day, Natasha is thankful for the chance she has to bring joy to others. “Happiness was taken away from me in a blink of an eye, but thanks to God’s grace and love, it was given back to me through the joy and happiness of others.”

Brooke Williams is currently fundraising for her next trip. If you would like to donate, please email her at williamsbellen@gmail.com.

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