a legacy that lives
How do you want to be remembered? Will the work you are doing now live on after you die? These are not questions we often ask ourselves. Perhaps we don’t want to think about dying. Or we find it hard enough just living day to day.
Matthew 5:16 encourages us to ‘let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven’. Likewise the book of Daniel (12:3) encourages us to leave a legacy, telling us that ‘those who lead many to righteousness, [will shine] like the stars for ever and ever.’
Carol Denise Harllee is one of those stars. After completing her undergraduate degree, Carol worked in missions at home and abroad for 14 years in the USA, Mexico, Honduras, Colombia, Ecuador, and Spain.
John Criswell, Regional Director for the Southeast in InterVarsity/USA, recently wrote to us to share the sad news of Carol’s death. ‘I knew Carol when she served with GBU Spain under InterVarsity Link. She was highly respected and appreciated for her years of service to both an IFES team and GBU Spain. I remember when she left staff to pursue her ministry as a faculty person at a university, she said, “I’m still in student ministry – just on the other side of the equation!” She was such a delight to work with. I know that students in many places will see fruit from her love and service to them.’
Edith Vilamajó, Associate Regional Secretary for Europe, writes, ‘Carol was on staff when I was a student. We then became colleagues when I joined the staff team. She was on staff in Madrid, mainly with international students. But I have very special memories of her and she made a real impact in my life because of her godly character. She then became a financial supporter too.’
Francisco Mira Moya, General Secretary of GBU Spain, added his reflections: ‘I remember her as quiet, calm, responsible, prudent, transmitting peace and kindness; someone devoted to student ministry, who enjoyed the ministry.’
Carol was taken to be with her Lord when she was only 52. A life cut short? From our earthly perspective it may seem that way – how much more could she have done for the Lord in another ten or twenty years? But we live in a fallen world. Death happens, sorrow touches us deeply.
So we grieve with Carol’s family, her friends and all those whose lives were touched by her. And we give thanks for her family too, as they seek to continue Carol’s legacy through memorial contributions to InterVarsity/USA and also to IFES.
Carol has left a living legacy. What will yours be?
