Sometimes, timing is everything! We were climbing into a small, questionably unstable boat to cross the Zambezi river when my friend Terry started telling us a story. Terry has many stories, having traveled extensively and been somewhat of an adventurer. This story however, was ill-timed. As our boat tipped and creaked and our weight drove it lower into the murky water, he launched into a vivid tale of a ferry boat which had sunk there recently. “Unfortunately, only a few survived," he said. "Most drowned or were eaten by crocodiles.” The ladies with us looked horrified and I just smiled. He could have waited till we crossed, or better yet, until we were home safely that evening. But no...he

When I was about 10-12, I hung-out with a group of boys my age at church. One of the guys, Kevin, was very annoying. You know, the kind of kid that says the wrong thing at the wrong time and embarrasses you in front of the girls, etc.? Anyway, one week we were are gathered in a circle talking before church and one of the kids said, “Where’s Kevin?” “Who cares?” I replied with a snort and everyone laughed. Just then my mother walked up to our group and said, “Did you boys hear? You should try to give some comfort to Kevin’s Mom. Kevin died suddenly this week and she’s very sad.” I was shocked, embarrassed, guilt-ridden and changed…for life! Kevin had been bitten by a mosquito carrying a very