Dear One(s),
For forty-seven years J.C. wrote reports to you about the mission work that was so dear to his heart. The past few months I collaborated more fully with him in the composition, and today I sit here alone, trying to think how to begin. Forgive me if I stumble.
I feel sure that all of you know by now that J.C. died at 12:20 (noon) on February 1. He had been in a coma for 24 hours, not responding to anything I said or did. His breathing had become so labored that I hurt for him with every breath. At the last, he missed a breath, then breathed again, and then missed another breath. In the panic of realizing that he was dying, I hugged and kissed him, and — to my amazement and utter gratitude — he kissed me back. Then he breathed one more time and died. Such finality and aloneness, I have never felt. I am sure it would not be so hard if we had not done everything together for so many years. But I’d rather have this terrible sense of loss than not to have had the oneness we treasured.
I am grateful to all of you for the prayers that helped us through this ordeal, that enabled us with God’s help to make preparation for the time when J.C. would not be here, and that have been my source of strength since his death. You have written encouraging words in the cards and letters that have meant much to me each day. Thank you for all that you have done.
Many came for the visitation and many also came for J.C.’s funeral. Co-workers on the team served as pallbearers. Wayne Barrier, L.D. Willis, Gordon Hogan, Colin McKee, Byron Nichols, and Loy Mitchell — all, long-time missionaries and coworkers — spoke during the service. We asked for congregational singing, which was beautiful. Most of those attending were Christians, brothers and sisters who have helped carry the mission program for many, many years, so there was an air to me as of a fore-taste of heaven. I thank each one who came to be a part of that day. I know, for J.C., it was the continuation of the new life that began on Friday. For me, it was the closing of the door on 52 years of blessedness, and it was the beginning of —— whatever God chooses for filling these coming years.
Each morning I pray, giving the day to God and asking Him for the strength in return to live it as He would have me to do. Each night I thank Him for answering my morning prayer. I have mixed feelings. I cry in my loneliness. But there is a sense of excitement about what the years ahead will continue to bring. And I pray that at the end of the way we will all be united eternally.
The elders of our sponsoring church — Liberty Church of Christ in Dennis, MS —, Raymond Carr, Tommy Moody, Harold Oswalt, and Benford Pierce, have been very encouraging and supportive. Two weeks ago they met with Wayne Barrier, Louis and Bonnie Rushmore, and me to discuss plans for the continuation of the work. Their thinking was that they must get word out immediately to all supporting congregations and individuals of their intention to go on with the mission program without any interruption. Their depth of commitment was a source of great encouragement to me, because I know that J.C.’s greatest concern was that his death not affect anything that was being done.
So, they wrote you that the work would go on as before, and they asked that I prepare a one-page coverage of the work to accompany their letter, which I did. (I will enclose a copy of that report in this letter and ask that you consider printing and including copies in your bulletin so that the entire church can be aware of the scope of the work they have been supporting.) They also asked that I send a longer summary, with this report, which I will do. These summaries look back to the beginning and bring us up to this time. In the future, the part of the work J.C. was doing will be carried by the other men on the team (Wayne Barrier, Jerry Bates who is currently in India, and Louis Rushmore, and others who will be added). Byron Nichols will be the Editor of The Voice of Truth International, with Louis and Jerry serving as Associate Editors. I will continue to be the Layout Editor. Volume 56 is with the printer now. Volume 57 will be a memorial edition comprised of J.C.’s tracts and articles. We will continue, also, with the printing of mission books and study materials as J.C. had done through the years.
We have had many calls, cards, and emails from brethren here in the States, and also from brethren with whom we work overseas. Many, also, who have been the recipients of boxes of The Voice of Truth International and of other printed materials, have written of their sense of loss, even though most had never met J.C. I am in frequent contact with team members via email and phone. When Jerry and Paula left for India February 13, they took checks for the magazines, radio programs, and TVprograms. They have reported busy and profitable visits with the churches in Delhi, Bangalore, Kangayam, Battlagunda and other places where meetings were arranged. They will also be going to Madurai, Kakinada, and to Colombo, Sri Lanka.
February 28 and 29 we had the final development session for the curriculum for the Mission Training School, which is scheduled to begin in August. We also had further discussions about the retreats and seminars we want to develop, and finalized details concerning the Missionary Retreat to be held May 1-3 at Maywood Bible Camp in Hamilton, AL. I will send information about that retreat and the school in this packet. We would encourage anyone with an interest in doing mission work, either on a long-term basis or short-term, to consider attending the training school. Every planning session has been exciting for those who have participated, and we are sure that the classes will be beneficial in every way for the students. Classes will meet for two or three days, once a month, here at Winona. Teachers will be missionaries with years of experience and a zeal for reaching the lost.
Because of the other materials to be included in this package, I will limit the report this time. I do want to bring the financial reports up to date, and to send along the other materials we would like to share. Please take the time to read what is written, and please ask any questions that may come to mind. I realize that it has been more than two years since J.C. and I were able to visit any of you. In the months to come, either Wayne or Jerry or Louis will be giving the personal reports he would have been making. I will be happy to visit and to teach a ladies’class or even to have a private meeting with the elders, to offer an update on the overseas work and to answer any questions you might have. With all my heart I thank you for enabling this work to continue.
Our love,
Betty