This weekend I, as many others, heard about the humanitarian group of medical doctors that were in a remote village in Afghanistan and killed by the Taliban. The team leader, Tom Little, was a both a member of the Church that my family attends in New York and a longtime friend of my parents. His wife happened to be in New York when he was killed. Just 2 days earlier she was having dinner with another family friend and suspected that something had gone terribly wrong. She had not heard from Tom in 40 hours which was right before they were headed back over the mountain from the Village to Kabul.  Her gut instinct was right. As we know, most were shot dead en route. Just a few months ago Tom had been at the Church in Loudonville, NY saying that things were getting worse and worse in Afghanistan and that their ability to give medical aid to those that need it in remote areas was becoming much more dangerous than ever. He would know; he and his family had lived there for 30 years as medical missionaries or serving as humanitarians. He and his family knew the risks.

His life no doubt will be a legacy of what he was willing to give and sacrifice for a greater cause. The calling for he and his family is unique, no doubt. But I think it is important for each one of us to think about what we are willing to sacrifice for a greater cause or greater good. The scale does not have to compare to that of the Littles in Afghanistan. Each person, each family can evaluate what that is for themselves. My prayers go out to all the family members who lost a loved one in that terrible shooting.

Melissa