One of the people I was honored to know and work with while at Asbury Theological Seminary was a man from Kenya named David Gichuru. I learned just this morning that he died while rescuing his son from a riptide in Newport Beach, CA.
Please pray for David’s wife Grace and their two sons. Our world has lost a true friend of the Kingdom and follower of Christ.
I had the privilege of doing CPE at The University of Kentucky Medical Center during the time that David worked there as a contract chaplain. One of my favorite stories of David happened as he provided pastoral care to one of the patients in ICU. This patient was dying while surrounded by many family members. When David went in the room, he immediately connected with the family and led them in hymns as they said goodbye to their loved one. There was no cultural gap between this rural Kentucky family and him because as they joined together singing the songs of God, they were part of one family.
Our family has lost a great brother.
At a time like this, I can only pray one of the great prayers of the Church at the time of death from the Book of Common Prayer.
Depart, O Christian soul, out of this world; In the Name of God the Father Almighty who created you; In the Name of Jesus Christ who redeemed you; In the Name of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies you. May your rest be this day in peace, and your dwelling place in the Paradise of God.
Update: Here is a eulogy from one of David’s close friends. It is a much better portrait of the man than the very limited sketch I can provide.
mattjudkins.com 
Matt, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend, for his family, and for the world who lost something precious.
David Gichuru has been my friend since the day he stepped in my office to buy his ticket to Kentucky way back in 1999. He sent me a family portrait on 22nd May, i wrote him a mail on the security situation in kenya on thursday asking for prayers…he didnt reply. I just mentioned to his friend who’s visiting the country that i had written to him and was waiting for a reply. Then he broke the news. I was shocked beyond words…my heart and prayers are with Mrs Grace Gichuru and their lovely sons.
may he rest in peace.
eunice nganga.
Thank you Eunice and Wendy. Since graduating from Asbury in ’05, I have been engaged with two churches, new responsibilities, and two young children, and have failed to keep in touch with many of the dynamic and inspiring people I met there (including our brother David).
I say that to say this. I doubt David would have been aware of the way he touched my life by his witness. May we always live with the understanding that our influence for God’s Kingdom goes far beyond our awareness and comprehension.
David was vacationg with my family in California. See the brief bio on my blog. if you need email that i broadcasted to all friends, send your address to me.