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April 21, 2008
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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
Home, by Phil Ware
The wind blew and the flaps on the green funeral tent fluttered. All of
us had dust on our shoes from our walk across a patch of freshly
shredded field grass. The dust swirled despite the heavy rain from two
days previous because of the gusty spring winds. We could see the green
shoots of growing wheat growing across the rolling hills nearby.
Standing under the tent, I took a deep breath loudly through my nose,
patted my chest and said, "Aaaaah! Smells like Coleman County!" Folks
nodded and smiled. A few of the family chuckled despite the tears in
their eyes.
Brown Ranch Cemetery was less than a half-mile from where Curtis had
been born. We gathered to give honor to him for a life that was lived
well and widely traveled, but ended up a short distance from where it
began.
Curtis represented everything to be cherished in a man from this part
of the country -- strong, funny, mischievous, faithful, tough, kind,
hard working, and loyal. His legacy is rich in faith, friends, and
family -- children, grafted in children, grandchildren, and
great-grandchildren. He had served his country in WWII and many others
in his community, church, and family since then. Curtis is beloved in
our church and deservedly so, for he was very active in all levels of
our church life.
One of my favorite things about this friend is a story of sweet grace.
When Reba, Curtis' first wife died, he faithfully served her to the
end. A sweet sister in Christ had been with Reba when she passed from
this life to the next. This lady's name is Janice. She had worked hard
all of her life -- sometimes taking two jobs -- but considered sitting
all night with those gravely ill as her special ministry.
Many years earlier, Janice had been deeply hurt when her husband left
her to raise two girls by herself. She did a great job of it, too. In
the process, however, she had also sworn off of men, completely. She
wasn't even sure if Jesus were to ask her to marry that she would marry
again -- and she loves the Lord with all her heart. But as God would
have it, over time, Curtis won this Janice's heart. They married and
enjoyed the sweet gifts of faith, family, friends, and travel in the
autumn years of life. They were precious together, all the way to the
end of Curtis' earthly life.
A few days after the funeral, this dear sweet lady brought me an
envelope with a note and a generous check inside. She knew I wouldn't
accept the check for myself, so she asked for me to use it for "your
girl in Africa or one of the other Compassion children." She had seen
the report of my Uganda trip to meet a little girl Donna and I sponsor
in Uganda.
Such sweet and precious people ... and even in sorrow, they want to
share and give another child a chance at life just like they sacrificed
to give life to their children ... and grandchildren ... and
great-grandchildren. Such love knows no boundaries, not even death.
Some gifts just mean more. This is one of those gifts!
You can help, too!
So in honor of Curtis and Janice, I'm sending this check to the Malaria
Intervention Fund: see the info below or on their website
April 25 is World Malaria Day and our part in that will be to provide
bed nets to keep sleeping children safe from Malaria mosquito bites.
You can help us "Bite Back" against this mosquito-borne killer, too. So
I'm asking you to join us and provide mosquito nets for children.
Malaria is still the biggest killer of children in tropical climates.
Something so simple can make a huge difference in the life of a family,
a future, and a child. Ten dollars provides a treated net that protects
a child for three years -- 1 penny a day can make that big a
difference!
Thanks!
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For more information, you can see my blog:
http://www.thephilfiles.com/2008/04/15/genuine-compassion/
Or you can donate directly:
https://www.compassion.com/contribution/giving/malariaintervention.htm
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(c) 2008 Phil Ware <phil@heartlight.org>. All rights reserved.
RELATED LINKS:
* With Compassion to Uganda
http://www.thephilfiles.com/uganda-with-compassion/
* Compassion Anti-Malarial Fund
ttps://www.compassion.com/contribution/giving/malariaintervention.htm
* Our Compassion Child
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200802/20080213_doreen.html
* Southern Hills Church of Christ
http://www.southernhillschurch.org
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200804/20080421_home.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
VELVET ELVIS: REPAINTING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, by Rob Bell
In this provocative, hopeful book, Bell asks what the church might look
like if today's believers fully embraced "the way" of love, peace,
sharing possessions, compassion, risk, forgiveness, and harmony.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?254
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
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