“Death is swallowed up in victory…through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:54

Sunday 24 August 2008We don’t know how to begin.  How do you begin when your heart is breaking and the tears won’t stop.  Yesterday we received the devastating news that Ron’s sister Jan had passed away unexpectedly.  Our minds are flooded with sweet, sweet memories and our hearts know a void not known before.  In the stillness we feel here, the stars shining brightly in the dark, dark night, we pray each star be an angel whose bright light will span time and distance, bringing peace and comfort to our family.   We have turned to the only place we can at this time, to God and His word.  We don’t understand, and I suppose we are not meant to understand death and the pain and sorrow families are consumed with.  We do know that love has no end, and neither does God’s grace and mercy.  Today we are feeling more alone than we ever have in Zambia, and so very, very far away.  We are grateful for your loving thoughts, for your prayers for our family, and for reminding us that Jan is now seated at the eternal banquet table of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  We went to church this morning at the United Church of Zambia at Twapia – the closest thing we have to a “home” church here in Zambia.  As we listened to the words of the songs today – “You are with me Jesus” – “Lord I come to You today, Lord I pray you show me your ways” – “Abide in me O Lord, abide in me I pray, You are Lord, My strength, My God” – “Jesus is our life today, tomorrow and forevermore”  - and we witnessed a congregation full of joy in the Lord, and we were reminded that nothing compares to the promise we have in Jesus.  And we offered a prayer of thanksgiving for the wonderful life of Jan, for her loving and kind ways, and for her children and grandchildren.  We thanked God for the wonderful blessing of Jan, and that we were among the privileged few who knew her as sister and friend.  Thank you Lord for our sweet, dear sister Jan.