Taking Time To Encourage A Twelve Year Old's Faith

Back nine or so years ago, a twelve year old boy named Cooper came across a radio program featuring Dave Hunt. He was drawn to this man who so eloquently explained and defended the Christian faith. The weekly radio program beame an incentive tool to finish his schoolwork promptly, in order never to miss Dave. Cooper began to read any books we had around Dave had written, incredibly interested in what Dave shared. Not long afterwards, Cooper wrote Dave a letter telling him what he meant to him. He hoped to grow up and be able to defend Christianity to people, like Dave enjoyed doing. He hoped to someday meet Dave in person. Not long afterwards, a handwritten letter came for Cooper from Dave. He seemed genuinely touched that a twelve year old boy not only was listening to his program and reading his books, but that he had touched his life. Cooper still has that letter among his special posessions. A few months later, Dave was coming to speak at Calvary Chapel of the Finger Lakes, about two hours away. Cooper was thrilled and talked of nothing else. If only the weather would hold....(It WAS January!!). God was merciful and the trip was made. After the service, Cooper waited patiently (Impatiently??)for his turn to meet Dave. When Cooper explained who he was, Dave gave Cooper a big hug, remembering, and asked him if he was ready to meet Jesus in the air, at the Rapture. They talked a few minutes, and Dave had to leave. It was a special memory that day. Fast forward several years. Dave came again to CCFL for a Prophecy conference. This time, he was walking slower, with the aid of a cane or something similar. Cooper waited patiently as Dave talked to others, and then began to head out, needing to leave soon to catch his flight back to Oregon. Pastor Bil Gallatin mentioned to Dave that someone was still waiting to greet him before he left. Cooper was thrilled to meet Dave again, who took a minute, and then fondly remembered their meeting years back, staying to talk as long as he was able, before he had to leave. Another fond memory for a son now in his later teens, who still held Dave in a special place in his heart. Little did any of us know it would be the last public appearance Dave would make at CCFL or the East Coast, for that matter. Our entire family will miss Dave so much. There simply will never be another Godly man like him, who so graciously and articulately defended the faith, and had such a burning desire for lost souls that lasted his entire life. Yet as Chuck Smith (of Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa) said SO many years ago, speaking at a funeral of a Christian friend - "This isn't good-bye, but see you later." See you later, Dave.