I did not know Eva Plimmer. 

Her name only came to my attention when my daughter, Kelli, recently sent out a prayer request. Eva, 11 years old, had a brain tumor. She had played soccer with my granddaughter in Boise. She wasn’t doing well. 

I read the story about Eva that Kelli had sent along. It outlined the life of a joyful, kind girl from a loving family who liked the outdoors and sports, but last year, fell ill. Tests found a tumor. She faced this with great courage and the kind of faith that moves mountains.

After learning what she had, this girl did not retreat in fear. Instead, she charged on, seeking to get a ninja obstacle course built in her town of Meridian. The reason she wanted this was because she said, “It really spreads the message that you can overcome obstacles.” 

"I want it to become something that kids will find joy in and find that they believe in themselves and to emotionally and physically overcome every obstacle,” she said in a report on Idaho News. 

It will happen.  

Family and friends raised $200,000. The Meridian City Council recently approved a budget amendment of $145,000 toward the course. 

I prayed for Eva, as did many. I wish I could tell you that she rallied, that a miracle occurred, that she was OK and back home with her family. But there was no miracle. Eva Plimmer passed away last week. God brought her home.

As I said, I did not know Eva. But she said something that made me stop and reflect on how I would react to the same situation. I am not even close to having her strength.

I am easily overcome by fear. When something goes wrong, my anxiety level rises. I falter almost daily. Car won’t start. Water heater fails. Misplaced credit card. I curse an injury that keeps me from running. I had a meltdown when I got lost while driving in Ireland. All trivial things that will right themselves soon enough. Yet, I fail under pressure.

In the story about Eva, she is quoted as saying this: “Everyone goes through hard things, but when you put your faith in Jesus you can overcome every obstacle and you can have joy during it.” 

Faith in times of trouble? Even joy? I can only wish.

I couldn’t believe a kid, just 11 years old, could have such trust. That in facing death, she still smiled. She still loved. 

Doubt often fills my mind.  

Belief filled Eva's heart.

What a difference.

I pray that someday I will have faith like Eva's. And maybe one day, I will move a mountain. 

Or, at least overcome one of Eva's ninja course obstacles. 

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Bill Buley is assistant managing editor of The Press. He can be reached at bbuley@cdapress.com.