I’m a forty-four-year-old MK who grew up in Japan, Michigan, and on the road. I’ve been in prison for over twenty years for robberies I committed to get money for drugs and the wild life. I first met Dr. Kempton in Japan around 1975. Since then, he repeatedly showed up in my life. Even when I was at a foster home in Tucson, Arizona, he tracked me down. When I was in the hospital, he showed up to be there for me. Later, when I was in jail, he again was there. He wanted to help. And then he kept coming back. He wouldn’t quit asking. Two to three times a year, he’d visit me in prison, for twenty years.
My friendship with Dr. Kempton really began here in prison, and he showed me even when I was skeptical of him that he wanted to love me unconditionally with no judgment. He lived love in action until it got through my thick head and heart. He wasn’t scared to reach out and love someone who really struggled with love. Because of him, I’m a different man today. You know, he lived as far as possible from me when our friendship started—New Jersey, and he would come all the way to Arizona to see me! He knew statesmen, policemen, famous preachers, college presidents, famous sports athletes, and coaches. He had hundreds of families in ABWE and a large family of his own, and he’d still find time for me. He surely did not do this for any spotlight or recognition because there is none. Very few people know of me at all. Those who may, only know I’m someone Dr. Kempton went to see.
He’s the most Christ-like man I’ve ever known. He was the fruits of the Spirit. He was to me what a true friend, a true parent, a true Christian man is supposed to be. He was to me what I wish I can be someday.
Most of all, I’ll miss our time together. I just loved to talk and listen to him. I’d sacrifice eating or bathroom breaks so I could have a few more precious minutes to talk and listen to him. I will remember most how gentle, kind, genuine, and understanding he was. He had a way to make me feel like I was important and mattered. He told me he loved coming to see me. I saw he had true peace—secure, unshakable peace. We talked about that on his last visit, a visit that was early and a surprise, and now I know why. On December 14, I got to spend about three to four hours alone with him. It was a great visit. With his whole body ravaged with painful cancer, he took time to come and encourage me! We started talking about peace after talking about Hosea, and I asked him if he always had perfect peace in God. He immediately and calmly answered, “Yes.”
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Lord God,
It’s me again. Right now I could really use a little of that awesome peace that you filled Doc with, please. And however you taught him to make me feel like I mattered and was important—please teach me to have that gift, because it really touches people deep inside.
When I look back there are many great things I could say, but what describes Dr. Kempton to me is servanthood. He was Yours, all the time, in every way. He was completely surrendered.
I never met his wife or children. I have no idea what car he drove or the color of his house. I never saw him preach. I never saw him at the office or at home. But no one in this world has ever touched my heart and changed my life more than he did.
I’ve been a little lost since You called him home to rest, but I can’t blame You. You’ll really enjoy his company, and he’ll adore Yours. In his memory, use me to help to serve You and to help someone else like he helped me. Amen.
David Winters
A Blessed Friend of Dr. Kempton
“The best thing you can do with your life is to give it away.” –Dr. Wendell Kempton
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