Victor Converses with Death
John Piper
@JohnPiper
It was one of the great privileges of my life to speak the word of God at the memorial service for 14-year-old Victor Manuel Watters on September 11, 2011. Sober, painful, and joyful — that’s how I would describe this unexpected way to mark 9/11.
Victor died of cancer — Ewing’s Sarcoma. At the age of nine he was in the hospital alone. His birth family was unable to care for him. Mike and Deb Watters were often on the same unit because of a similar cancer in their daughter. To make a spectacular story of grace short, they adopted Victor, cared for him, led him to Jesus, and surrounded him with overflowing love as he died on September 7, 2011.
For all who knew his real situation, Victor’s baptismal testimony was simple and amazing.
The 20 minute audio we are posting is entitled: “Victor Watters Converses with Death: A Meditation on 1 Corinthians 15:55-57.” It is my own estimation of the way Victor dealt with the ancient enemy, Death, in the quiet of his room. It is the way we all need to deal with death.
