A Celebration of the Life of Geoffrey Allan Findlay - invitation and a place for Tributes, Memories and Condolences
My family and I invite you to join us celebrating my husband's life.
You are also welcome to leave Tributes, Memories and Condolences
either in the comments on this blog post
or privately via email to rememberinggeofffindlay@gmail.com
or via #memoriesofgeoff (Instagram or Facebook)
For those wishing to bring flowers, in keeping with Geoff & Lesli's preference, we kindly request instead you make a Donation in Memoriam to either:
- WPC Churches in Chin State, Myanmar - Acc name: WPC National Assembly BSB: 036-043 Acc no: 963282 Reference: "Chin WPC"
- ALK Positive Lung Cancer Research Fund - http://bit.ly/ALKfund Include additional information: "Prof Ben Solomon, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Australia"
During my time at Dhurringile Prison as a guest of Her Majesty there was only one occasion when a visitor evoked a ripple of curiosity from those that had gathered for one of the many daily musters.....most of those assembled didn't have much of a say about being there, there were several that were paid to be there, and there was one person that chose to be there.
ReplyDeleteThat person was Geoff Findlay on his first visit. I never saw any other visitors with the access or freedoms that Geoff had before or after that during my time there.
It was unusual enough for the curious and the suspicious to look at one another desperately wanting to know the identity of the mystery visitor and what his business was being at a muster. Before the muster was finished the gathered assembly knew the name of the intrepid visitor and his business for being there....
There was an instant respect from the prisoners. Geoff prayed before we shared meals, Geoff shared the word, and we prayed together. There was never any mocking or sneering on those occasions, in fact many would ask about Geoff after he'd left. Some of the guys spoke with Geoff too, one of them being the infamous Victor Pierce! Victor was intrigued with the concept that a rocket scientist would choose to serve as a Pastor.
Geoff didn't see prisoners, Geoff saw sinners that needed salvation. The prisoners weren't used to being spoken to kindly, or being treated with courtesy or dignity. They were amazed that Geoff would travel so far and give up his own time for no other reason than to minister to one of their own. They warmed to Geoff. It was remarkable that Geoff was able to come and go so freely.
Geoff Findlay left an indelible mark upon those that encountered him at the prison. I am profoundly saddened by Geoff's passing, I know that is selfish, and I know that many others also enjoyed a special bond with Geoff. God's ways are truly inscrutable. I don't understand the disease or why he drew the short straw, it's so cruelly unfair..... I just wish that my dear friend could be still be here so that I could be a fraction of the friend to him that he was to me.
I took Geoff's friendship for granted, I just thought that he'd be around forever. I have promised God that I will endeavour to cherish my family and friends more because we do not know what the morrow may bring.
I cannot imagine the heartache that Geoff's family will be feeling. I am so sad for you all. My heroes used to be fictional characters like Atticus Finch, Jean Valjean, or Randall P. McMurphy....Geoff Findlay eclipsed all of them. For one with such a towering intellect Geoff was defined by humility and grace. He is the finest man that I have ever known....