Dear friends,

Our very close friend, Karl Tagorda, passed away last Thursday morning, December 1st, 2011. He was 19 years old.

He's a guy who met Christ through the skatepark ministry who got connected with the church and then did DTS here at YWAM-LA, going on outreach to Haiti.

Jessica and I were like a spiritual mother and father to him. He loved Jesus so much and he had such a deep love and compassion for people, especially his friends. 

He was living with his mom and dad, going to school, and working with his dad. 

Late Wednesday night two of his friends picked him up from his parents house with a balloon full of freon gas from an air conditioning unit. Looking for the thrill of a 15 second high, they each inhaled from the balloon. When Karl inhaled it he began to seizure and died within minutes. He died at approximately 3:00am, Thursday morning. 

Please join us in prayer, first and foremost for his family. Pray also for his friends, Karl was friends with EVERYBODY in Sunland-Tujunga. 

Pray that in the midst of this tragedy the Lord will continue to be lifted high and that people will come out of the darkness of and into the light, the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ.

I am overwhelmed by the Lord's goodness; His long-suffering and unfailing love, His tender mercies and compassion, His amazing grace and majesty, and His perfect faithfulness. He is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. Praise be to our God, He is worthy of the praises of His people.

Karl's viewing Friday (today) and his funeral is Saturday and on Sunday Chapel of the Hills is having a special memorial service

Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you,

Shaun and Jessica