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By Adele Wickett
JOACHIM Höllrich, 25, died from an apparent
allergic reaction to wasp stings, while hiking on Mount Brenton August 15.
A much-loved member of the Capernwray Harbour Bible
Centre community on Thetis Island, Höllrich had come from Germany in
2005.
He studied the Bible for a year, followed by a year of
leadership training, then joined the staff as a volunteer carpenter.
 | Joachim Höllrich |
“He was a lovely chap – and a great
carpenter, as well,” says Daniel McDougall, who has often preached at
the Thetis Island Community Church.
Höllrich was hiking with friends from Chemainus
when the wasps attacked. He fell unconscious in about three minutes,
although not known to be allergic to wasp stings.
His companions did all they could, including summoning
a helicopter, and rappelling down the mountainside to get help.
Unfortunately, the helicopter was unable to land due to
the steep terrain – but “everything was done
right,” according to a member of the Thetis Island Volunteer Fire
Department.
Höllrich, known to his friends as
‘Jo-Jo’, was everybody’s favourite person, says Thetis
resident Donna Stadt.
“He loved to talk about the Lord; he was smiling,
charming, winsome. He touched other people and left an imprint on your
life.”
“We are personally and deeply saddened by
Joachim’s departure, but at the same time we are extremely grateful
for the part he played in our family here – and give thanks for
the Lord’s work in and through his life,” said Capernwray
spokesman Chris Fordham.
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“He was at the top of his game. We will miss
him.”
Höllrich was a deeply committed servant of Jesus
and the people around him. He led a student outreach program at the Nanaimo
Correctional Centre. He brought a group of students to the Mustard Seed in
Victoria, serving a Saturday night supper to street people, then staying to
lead worship at the church service.
“Joachim sure seemed to have a servant’s
heart,” says Susan Watts, whose husband Kent is a pastor at the
Mustard Seed Street Church. “His attitude was, ‘Let me stand
back and let you shine.’”
According to Capernwray staff, there had been a sense
of peace and joy about Höllrich in the weeks prior to his death
– evident to a number with whom he had contact. Many of his
conversations were centred on the person of Christ and his character.
The Capernwray staff marked Höllrich’s
passing into glory with a private service, and his family in Germany held a
funeral there.
October 2008
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