It was such a shock and with great sadness I found that Oliver had passed on to be with God today. My heart goes out to Gale,Mary-Rachel, Jesse and Tracee and the rest of the family and other friends who were close to Him. Oliver impacted so many lives, my own included. Oliver was chairman of the Orbis charitable trust which provided the Orbis flying eye hospital:
“Since its launch in 1982, Orbis has provided training programs to more than 124,000 doctors, nurses, and other essential healthcare workers in 85 countries; performed more than 135,000 eye surgeries; and directly treated more than 3 million individuals. In addition, it’s been estimated that as many as 27.5 million children and adults have benefited from Orbis International’s medical training programs worldwide”.
I always remember him for his smile, laughter, being so chilled out but most of all what a kind legend he was, always using the resources and connections he had to bless us others. I’m saddened that I never had the chance to tell him my aim, to go back to Jamaica for YWAM in 2008/09. It was thanks to Oliver that me and the rest of the youth group were able to go to Jamaica in the first place. An event which has shaped my life and future and caused me to fall in love with the island, culture and its people. To say he would be sorely missed by many people would be a gross understatement, he really was man who lit up the places he went to, a great example of what a Christian should be. It was a great privelege to know him, I look forward to the day where I meet him in heaven and I can ask him again with the little Jamaican patwa I know “Wag wan!”(what’s going on man?)
Filed under: Friends, Legends | Tagged: legend, Oliver Foot
Great post Sam, I needed to read this today, Im not really able to collect my thoughts well enough to write as well as you have so thanks. I will be coming down for the Funeral, I was thinking depending on how things work out that we could come and stay with you guys for the evening on the way home, let me know. Bless you mate. Liam
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