Joseph MacKenzie loved God and loved to run. Africa Upper Room Ministries (AURM) loved and believed in Joseph. As a part of AURM's sponsorship of Joseph's running career, Joseph wore a bright yellow Upper Room bib to track meets and handed out free copies of The Upper Room daily devotional guide.

On September 26, Joseph, aged 23, vibrant and healthy, having overcome poverty and addiction, was struck down by the H1N1 virus. Among his mourners are many Christians who live far, far away from Africa -- The Upper Room and the Pray with Africa community.

This connection across the world reminds us of another way we are connected -- through Christ's love. As Paul writes in Romans 8, "I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Joseph, held in the love of God, lives on in our memories and in our hearts.

• Roland Rink of Africa Upper Room tells Joseph's story
• Joseph's Prayer on praywithafrica.org
• Joseph is featured in the book, Like Breath and Water: Praying with Africa.
• What they say about MacKenzie -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEpTfE77_H4