Kayla Mueller's brother urges community to continue sister's work of kindness

Kayla Mueller's parents hold candles during a vigil on Wednesday evening. Reuters

US aid worker Kayla Mueller left a gaping hole in her family's hearts when she passed away earlier this year, and her brother Eric is in deep pain after losing his "first friend, best friend, and only sister."

During a memorial service held at the historic Courthouse Square in Prescott, Arizona on Wednesday, her brother spoke to hundreds of mourners and encouraged them to continue his sister's legacy of kindness, the Gospel Herald shared.

"Let Kayla's heart live on through all of us and the people that she has touched in her life," he said. "Do what she would do. If you see somebody struggling, you see somebody upset, go give them a hug. Make the community even stronger. That's all it's going to do."

Kayls is the fourth American who was killed while held captive by the Islamic militant group. She went to Syria to help children affected by the civil war, but she was captured on August 2013 after she was leaving a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Aleppo. On February 6, the militant group sent a photo to her family claiming that Kayla was killed because of Jordanian air strikes.

Eric said in his speech that Kayla is in God's hands now, so at least she is free from harm and hurt. "You do not have to suffer anymore. Only now will you be able to see how much you really did and truly did for this world by looking down on it from above," he said.

Eric concluded that God works in mysterious ways, and said that sometimes, people just have to understand that He takes his angels home early, the same way He did with Kayla, who was only 26.

Kayla was a true angel of God, who inspired others to have strong faith and never lose hope even in the most dire situations. While she was being held captive, Kayla wrote her family an emotional letter, saying that "even in prison, one can be free" because of God.

"I remember mom always telling me that all in all in the end the only one you really have is God. I have come to a place in experience where, in every sense of the word, I have surrendered myself to our creator b/c literally there was no else....+ by God + by your prayers I have felt tenderly cradled in freefall," she wrote.

related articles
Aid in Syria was her \'calling\', say friends of Kayla Mueller
Aid in Syria was her 'calling', say friends of Kayla Mueller

Aid in Syria was her 'calling', say friends of Kayla Mueller

Kayla Mueller did not want boyfrend to risk life saving her
Kayla Mueller did not want boyfrend to risk life saving her

Kayla Mueller did not want boyfrend to risk life saving her

Kayla Mueller\'s memorial: \'You\'re in God\'s hands now\' says brother
Kayla Mueller's memorial: 'You're in God's hands now' says brother

Kayla Mueller's memorial: 'You're in God's hands now' says brother

News
Christian woman convicted over sign that offered conversation in abortion clinic buffer zone
Christian woman convicted over sign that offered conversation in abortion clinic buffer zone

A Christian woman has been convicted of breaching an abortion clinic buffer zone after holding a sign offering help. 

Myanmar Christians face dual crisis of earthquake and marginalisation
Myanmar Christians face dual crisis of earthquake and marginalisation

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar last week has intensified the hardship faced by the country’s religious minorities, plunging already vulnerable Christian communities into deeper crisis and displacement.

Jerusalem bishop calls for 'courageous' leadership to bring peace
Jerusalem bishop calls for 'courageous' leadership to bring peace

A bishop from Jerusalem has told of the plight of ordinary people in the West Bank.

Three hospitalised as Islamist attacks Christian festival in Iraq
Three hospitalised as Islamist attacks Christian festival in Iraq

An apparent lone Islamist hospitalised three people at a Christian festival