JUGHEADS
Youth Juggling Company, LLC
5905 Concord Avenue
Edina, MN 55424
jugheads@comcast.net
or 952.926.0896

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January 2003

“Reflections of an Uncle”

Beginning with a phone call at 8:50 p.m. on Dec. 3, and over the ensuing week of intense family grief and bonding over Andre’s death, much of what I believe and live was put to the test--in a nitty-gritty, real way. The obvious way in which my beliefs were tested was that I reinforced (yet again) my belief in eternal life, and I have the assurance of faith that Andre is in heaven now due to the testimonies of his own lips as well as those of his parents, siblings, friends and pastors. We have peace, and we even believe that God never lost control of the circumstances surrounding Andre’s death.

The not-so-obvious way in which my beliefs were tested was examining my calling to love and influence youth. The prototypes for the 120 or so Jugheads with whom I come in contact on a weekly basis are my own 26 nieces and nephews. As any parent, teacher or even older sibling will attest, it really is an act of faith to invest time in kids, hoping beyond hope that a lasting, significant difference is being made in their lives. Up until now, I’ve assumed I’d have to wait ‘til heaven to realize any real difference I’ve made, since the kids’ lives haven’t yet unfolded. However, Andre’s life on earth has unfolded. And let me tell you: my four visits to Miami, our regular lengthy phone calls, and his latest 3-week visit to us last summer have suddenly taken on new meaning. I wasn’t just investing in Andre’s adulthood; I was, as feeble and weak as I am many days, investing in Andre’s eternity--more directly than I would have imagined. That is an awesome privilege, and it causes me to put into perspective the preciousness of spending time together with loved ones on earth.

I hold my kin in unique high regard, but God has also given me a special grace to call many of the Jugheads “loved ones” as well. That’s no light calling. Neither is the seriousness with which I approach my personal mission of investing time and love in these youth in the hope of making a lasting--even eternal--difference in their lives.