In the April newsletter, I requested prayer for my father, whose cancer had returned. On April 17, I received word that his condition was rapidly deteriorating, so I returned home to Iowa that same day. I am so thankful that I was able to be with my dad for his last 26 hours on this earth.
About a week after an intensive three-day inpatient chemotherapy treatment, my dad's kidneys shut down and he contracted sepsis (blood poisoning). He was on 24-hour dialysis and oxygen, along with many IV bags delivering various medications. Shortly after my arrival in Sioux Falls, my family went home and I was able to spend the night with my dad, holding his hand much of the time, and talking with him when he was able. These are sweet memories of our final day
together. The following night, he passed away with my mom and all four of his children around his bed. We are all thankful that he did not experience any pain until just two hours before his death, at which time morphine helped make him comfortable. But much more importantly to all of us, we know without a doubt that our dad is now with our Savior, Jesus Christ. He has a fully-restored, perfect, youthful body that will never experience pain or fatigue. He is living in the joy that is only possible in the very presence of our God.
Revelation 21:3-5a says, "I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.' And He who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'"
What a wonderful promise that is! God's children will be physically and spiritually renewed -- permanently. But more than that, we will be in the very presence of our Father Creator. Do you have absolute assurance of that promise? The apostle John says, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life" (John 5:13). God wants to to have absolute assurance about His promises! If you don't have that assurance, ask God to give it to you. Or speak with a pastor. Don't live in doubt and fear, but in comfort and peace.
I want to thank you for your prayers for my dad and for our family. I ask that you continue to pray for my mom as she adjusts to life without her husband of nearly 60 years. Although I did not send an email update after my dad's death, many of you heard of his death through Facebook or personal emails, and so many of you have been so gracious in your words of comfort, cards, and prayers. Thank you.
Link to obituary
The Genesis team is busy preparing for our first ministry event. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is a standardized test that non-native English speakers must take to enroll in American universities. There are four parts to the TOEFL test: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. We will be offering a "TOEFL Speaking Seminar" during the week of July 20-24.
The purposes of this "TSS" event include: