Florida Conference News

The 2007 second-quarter issue of Florida Focus is now available for download in Adobe Acrobat format.

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Hailu Kidanemariam, the MagaBook student who was struck by lightning July 8, passed away Thursday night, July 12, at 11:00 p.m.

Hailu was 40 years old. A native of Ethiopia, he has lived in Cuba, Spain, and Puerto Rico. He had a degree in electrical engineering and attended Antillean Adventist University in Puerto Rico for theology and nursing degrees. He was a deeply spiritual man and a beautiful example to the other students. He fasted every Tuesday when they were on break for lunch and was left to canvass the MagaBook materials on his own.

Publishing department Director Joe Holloway and Youth Coordinator Les McCoy traveled to Miami on Friday to assist with funeral arrangements and to have Hailu’s body sent home to his family in Ethiopia. Expenses for these arrangements not covered by insurance were donated by Florida Conference.

Hailu’s memorial service was held Sabbath afternoon, July 14, at Miami Temple Church. The Prayers and Squares ministry of Forest Lake Church in Apopka sent a prayer quilt for the service. Tewodros “Teddy” Kidanemariam, Hailu’s brother, will travel home to Ethiopia with Hailu’s body and the quilt for his family.

The Florida Conference publishing department hopes to erect a memorial marker on the grounds of the Miami Temple Church to remind future students of his life and service.

Any contributions for Hailu’s family can be directed to Florida Conference—Hailu Fund.

by Sara Bernal, Senior Journalism major at Southwestern Adventist University
saraazul@hotmail.com

Hailu Kidanemariam, an Ethiopian student from Antillean Adventist University in Puerto Rico who joined the summer literature evangelism program in Miami, was struck by lightning this past Sunday, July 8, around 2:00 p.m. during canvassing hours.

Hailu worked in the area of Miramar, about 30 minutes away from Miami Temple Church, where his fellow students in the program now pray for a miracle. He had just finished canvassing a street under a sunny sky when a lightning bolt came from nowhere and struck him.

He was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital by helicopter. Paramedics reported that Hailu was not breathing and his heart was not beating, but he was revived on the way to the hospital. Today, he remains in a coma and his condition is extremely critical.

Hailu’s brother, Tewodros “Teddy” Kidanemariam, arrived from California last Monday and has remained by his side ever since. Most of Hailu’s family members remain unaware of his condition. Teddy thinks it would be devastating for his mother to find out of Hailu’s current condition, as it is very hard for her to fly from Ethiopia to Miami.

The students continue to work hard to accomplish their mission under the direction of Les McCoy, all the while fervently praying for Hailu’s life. Any contributions to help Hailu and his family can be directed to Florida Conference—Hailu Fund. Prayer for Hailu’s recovery is still requested by his friends and family.

The 80 MagaBook students will be at Forest Lake Church this Sabbath, July 14, to tell members about the incident and provide updates. There are multiple heart-touching stories sparked by Hailu’s incident happening in the midst of this tragedy. Forest Lake Church streams its services live on the internet and can be seen at www.forestlakechurch.org