“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:16-18
I read this text to my father-in-law four days ago, minutes before he died. He weakly grabbed my hand, and I took a deep breath and thanked God for kindly allowing my wife and I to sit by his side as he passed from death to life. We should have been back in the Middle East by now but a few days ago we received a call from my wife’s brother. He wanted to let us know that the time had come… my father-in-law’s physical body was failing and the Lord was drawing him to his true, eternal home. We quickly returned to Georgia to spend his remaining hours with him and are so thankful we did. He passed on Saturday. It had been pouring rain for a few days and moments after he took his last breath on earth the sun pierced thru the clouds in a glorious display. It was poetic. Thank you if you have been praying for us for direction, peace, grace, discernment, and comfort. We have been feeling all of those things from the Lord and are richly blessed.
In facing death you learn a lot about life. I have been shocked at this man’s faithfulness and love for Jesus. He was married to an amazing woman for 52 years, raised two Godly kids, worked hard and with integrity, and talked about Jesus with everybody. May a life like that beckon us all to live for the glory of God in all things and remind us that this world is not our home.
Our time in America has been encouraging, humbling, and equipping. We had the opportunity to connect with pastors, mission’s teams, small groups, friends, and family. It has been incredibly fruitful and causes me to love the Church more and more. However, we are often reminded that this is not our home. God has called us to the Middle East and we are jealous to return. Our plans, at this point, are to return to the Middle East in a few weeks. Things there are going well. The other couple on our team is continuing to disciple the local believers, learn the language, and share the Gospel. I have been overwhelmingly encouraged at how they have been handling the many different issues you run into while trying to plant a church in an unreached area. Please pray for them to be filled with grace and boldness.
In closing, I wanted to include a quote from Deitrich Bonhoeffer that has been encouraging us as we grieve the loss of such a great Father... may it encourage you as well. "Death is only dreadful for this who live in dread and fear of it. Death is not wild and terrible, if we can be still and hold fast to God's Word. Death is not bitter if we have not become bitter ourselves. Death is grace, the greatest gift of grace that God gives to people who believe in Him. Death is mild and sweet and gentle: it beckons to us with heavenly power. If only we can realize that it is the gateway to our homeland, the tabernacle of joy, and the everlasting kingdom of grace."