Tommy

In Memory of Tommy

Mark 16:15: “…Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Matthew 5:13-16: “Ye are the salt of the earth…Ye are the light of the world…that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Tommy tried to put these verses into action with his life. He was born on March 2, 1986 and was a very quiet, shy and private person. He has always looked out for other kids who were bullied or who were friendless. He would end up being like their big brother. When he was seven years old, he gave his life to the Lord and began his journey of following Jesus.

While he was in college, God was tugging at his heart to go into missions. As a result, he went on a few missionary trips. Then a few years after finishing school, he volunteered at a Christian orphanage in the jungles of Cambodia. He loved to spend time caring for the children from the orphanage and the village. On his time off, he would often go to the village to spend time with the villagers there. They loved Tommy and always invited him to stay for a while. He would find ways to help them with physical labor around their houses. Despite the language barrier, he was able to share the Gospel. One story that was particularly sweet was one of the old village ladies who gave her heart to the Lord not long before she died. He truly lived a life that exemplified Mark 16:15… “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”‭‭

He started a school for the kids in the Cambodian village who couldn’t afford tuition to go to the local school. He voluntarily taught them English and gave them a Bible lesson every day. After a few years, he got sick and needed to come back to the U.S.

Next he went to Chicago where he worked with kids at different schools. He was always finding ways to help the children. Sometimes it was providing jackets for the kids who needed them, other times it was buying school supplies for the kids. He used to find the homeless in his neighborhood that are usually ignored and would help to care for them. He took them to hospitals when needed and fed them as often as he could. Since he cared for them as a true friend and used his own means to meet their physical needs, he was able to share the Gospel with many of them. Today, they still remember Tommy’s goodness to them.

One day Tommy was on the subway and a man was threatening a woman with a knife. Tommy jumped up and said, “You’re not going to touch her.” The man said, “Well then I’m going to cut you.” Tommy stood his ground and shielded everyone on the subway from the man. When the subway stopped, he cornered the man until everyone got off. This story was told to us (his parents) by his friend who was with him during the incident. After Tommy made sure everyone was safe, he got off the subway. His friend was considerably shaken and scared and asked Tommy why he would do that. His reply was: “Everyone on the subway’s life was in danger and they’re worth more than me.”

After a couple of years, Tommy came back to Goldsboro and began working for a local company. I (Tommy’s dad) spent a lot of time with him driving around. We couldn’t drive past someone on a street corner without him telling me to stop. He would always give them something.

The last Sunday he was with us, he came back home from church and handed me an “I owe you” card. He said, “Dad, I stopped by McDonald’s on the way home to get you a gift card but there was a man at the corner that looked like he needed it so I gave it to him.” Since his early departure to heaven, we have had people come to us saying how Tommy helped them in their darkest days. To sum up his life, he really loved people who were less fortunate. He loved and helped people so quietly and privately. He wasn’t looking for applause. He was simply doing what he felt called by the Lord to do. He was never pushy or overbearing. He proved himself as a true friend and through his kindness, others were willing to listen when he told them the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Praise the Lord for His suffering and sacrifice in our place. We are thankful for Jesus Christ and that He died for our sins on the cross, conquered death and is risen again. Because of Him, we have eternal life in heaven and will one day see Tommy again.

Our Lord is indeed Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace!

Tom and Cha Moran