Lynda Joy Varner (1979-2005)

Dear Friends and Family,

As we look over the names on this list, we regret that Helen and I have to inform you in this way of some very difficult news. We wish that we could call and tell you each personally, but that is impossible.

On the evening of July 3 our Lynda Joy was in a terrible automobile accident north of Madison, Wisconsin. A few hours later in the early morning of July 4, she succumbed to her serious injuries. She was 26 and was living in Chicago.

While the details are still being worked out, it appears that we will fly her body back to California for a service and burial the end of the week. The date for the funeral, however, may be later due to the circumstances and location of her death.

Many of you will remember Lynda for her intelligence, her infectious enthusiasm, and her sweet spirit. We will miss her terribly and cherish many wonderful memories of the years she spent with us.

“The Lord gave. The Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Will and Helen Varner

Dr. Will Varner is a former professor of mine at The Master’s College in Santa Clarita, CA. He taught me Intermediate Greek, Advanced Greek Grammar, Greek Exegesis, NT Backgrounds, and Jewish Thought and Culture. As you can read his initial email above, he has just lost his youngest daughter, as well as classmate and friend of mine, Lynda. Dr. Varner is a sensitive man, so I am sure this is difficult for him and Helen.

Lynda was an excellent student at TMC and was particularly gifted in biblical languages (which was her major). She transfered there in ’99 from UCLA and their fantastic linguistics program. We took first year Greek together, and there was no doubt she was the best student in the class. Lynda was extremely intelligent, she was witty, affable, and immensely cultured. One time she took me to the Grace Community Church college Bible study at UCLA. It was there that she introduced me to bubble tea. After she graduated in 2001, she was planning on going to Trinity Western University in BC, Canada. She wanted to join Wycliffe (which she did) and do Bible translation among the least reached people groups. The picture above was on her prayer card when she was a summer missionary with Wycliffe in the Philippines.

I’m not exactly sure of the timeline, but about 2 years ago, Lynda made it evident that she had had second thoughts about missionary work and Christianity all together. She moved to the Wheaton, IL area where her other siblings happened to be as well. Part of her change in direction was due to a boyfriend she had met in China who was an agnostic. That was really the last I had heard about Lynda till now.

Needless to say, this is an extremely hard time for the Varners. Your prayers mean more than you’ll know.

I will not be able to attend the service. But I trust the God of all wisdom will flood his grace over the Varners and Lynda’s mourning friends.