The family of 18-year-old Umar Dumbuya have paid a moving tribute after he tragically lost his life while taking part in a Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition.
Umar, from London, had been hiking near Glasbury in Powys when he got into difficulty in the River Wye on 30th June. Emergency services, including police, firefighters, mountain rescue teams and the National Police Air Service, carried out an extensive search after reports that a young man had entered the water and could not be found. Sadly, his body was later recovered.
In a statement, Umar’s family said: “We are heartbroken by the loss of our son, brother, and grandson. There are no words that can describe the pain we are feeling as a family. Umar was a loving boy and will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him. We will always remember Umar for his kindness, warmth and sense of humour.”
Leyton Sixth Form College, where Umar studied, said its community had been deeply saddened by his death.
It is difficult to imagine the heartbreak his family is experiencing. Just hours earlier, they would have expected him to return home with stories from his expedition. Instead, their lives changed forever.
For Umar’s loved ones, this was an ordinary day that turned into a nightmare they could never have imagined. No parent wakes up believing it will be the last time they see their child.
Stories like this remind us how fragile life can be. We do everything we can to protect the people we love. Parents teach their children to be careful. Husbands and wives look out for one another. We check that our loved ones have arrived safely, remind them to drive carefully and encourage them to stay safe. These are natural expressions of love.
Yet, despite our greatest efforts, there are situations that are completely beyond our control. We cannot be with our family every moment of every day, nor can we prevent every accident, every danger or every unexpected event.
While human protection has limits, God’s care knows no boundaries. He sees what we cannot see, goes where we cannot go and watch over those we love, even when they are far from us. Entrusting our family into God’s hands is not about living in fear, but recognising that His protection is greater than our own.
This Friday, 10th July, take part in the Prayer for the Protection of the Family at your nearest Universal Church. Bring the names of your loved ones and take part in this special moment, as we ask God to guide, strengthen and watch over our families.
Event:Â The Prayer for the Protection of the Family
Day and time:Â Friday 10th July at 7:30pm (also at 7am, 10am and 3pm)
Location:Â Your local Universal Church
Source:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0jylnl1ldeo
