This time it was our dear friend and brother, Rick S. I can't tell you how much this one hurt us. Not so much because of the passing. We prayed that God would miraculously heal Rick, but the news from home wasn't positive despite all our prayers. It was more so because when we were in America visiting with friends and family, we tried to visit Rick and were not allowed to. There was really no way to encourage him, to see his face one last time, or to say good bye. I suppose that in the end it doesn't matter. I do believe we'll see him again, but the whole thing left a scar on Colonel. Rick called Colonel when we were in America. They talked for a while and Rick seemed so sad about not letting us come to visit. He talked with Colonel and they cried together on the phone. I remember it plainly because we were driving and Rick had to talk to me at first because Colonel was driving the car. Then the phone messed up and we lost the connection. Then Colonel stopped at the Taco Bell where we were going to meet up with my brother and his family. Colonel called Rick again and they talked while Colonel walked around the parking lot of the Taco Bell. It was so sad and frustrating. I can't explain the hurt in Rick's voice. He was so regretful about it. Now, I think i get it.
Colonel loved Rick deeply. Maybe more than I can say. Last night when we talked with our contact in America, we shared with him about the death of our brother. Colonel asked our contact to pray that he (Colonel) wouldn't be discouraged from continuing on with the work here because of the sadness he feels about Rick's passing. I know Colonel will be okay, but our family definitely feels the loss.
Rick and I were in the same prayer group at Edgehill. We would meet together on Sunday evenings in a small group of other folks from Edgehill. We would all talk about the people in our family who we wanted to be saved or to be closer to God. I remember Rick talking so sadly about some of his family members and how he just wanted them to be Christians and follow God with their actions as well as with their words. I remember the advice Rick gave me about my own family members. How I shouldn't give up on them, and how I should just continue to pray about it. He was always so encouraging and made me feel there was hope for my lost ones, even though for many years I'd felt there wasn't. His prayers were always so wonderful.
Rick was one of the first people to ever support us with this journey that God has sent us on. He always believed in what God wanted to do with our family, even when others discouraged us, and they sometimes even discouraged Rick from supporting us. Rick was a good friend. He was always so kind and gentle. His spirit was one of warmth and acceptance. He always faced life with a smile, even when he was dealing with so many issues at home. Though Rick dealt with various trials, he never let them stop him from encouraging someone else.
He was a joy to Colonel. They would often joke together about the Saul/Paul that awaited us in our current city. Rick strongly believed that God would lead us to a man like Saul/Paul who would believe so strongly that he would eventually reach this whole area. From day 1, we prayed for this man. We still do. We have yet to find him, but we're still praying. I believe Rick would want that too.
Though we're far away, our hearts go out to the Edgehill congregation. They all loved Rick very much. I know there are many people who are hurting and must face the loss of a dear friend. The only comfort I can give is that we will all be re-united with him again one day. That's the joy and the hope that we have in our belief. In the words of my grandfather Miles, "Christians never say, "Good-bye". We just say, "See you later.""
I haven't heard much news from the home front about the funeral, but I do hope that someone would maybe email us a copy of the obituary and a nice picture of Rick. If not, we understand.
I guess that's all I really have to say. I don't think I'll talk on anything else that's going on here. We just want to honor the man who was a great support and friend to our family. There was no one in the world like Rick, and now he's gone on to a better place. With the passing of every great friend, there's a greater desire to one day meet up with them again. I definitely look forward to that day when we'll all get to sit down together and never face this sort of loss again.