Still in the US

Rest, like patience, can be active or passive. I'm taking another 2 weeks to rest at home before returning to work, November 13. Thanks for your continued prayers and support.

My Citizenship is in Heaven (Phil. 3:20)

O Lord I live here as a fish in a vessel of water, only enough to keep me alive, but in heaven I shall swim in the ocean. (A Puritan prayer)

As I live more in another country which calls me, I realize that my citizenship, my heart, is not completely at home here; rather another country, the heavenly one, is calling me. I am a spiritual being having a physical experience. Now after experiencing my dad's illness and death, and reading a few books on Heaven, I understand a little better what it means to store treasures in Heaven, for where my treasure is there my heart is (Mat. 6:21).

Louisville, KY

Where do I start? I spent 6 weeks with my dad here at home, before returning to minister in Iquitos and a nearby community "Samito" for three weeks. Then the call came to come home as my dad was really bad. He went to dance with the angels a week later. I have been in shock, trying to understand my world without my dad. It has been a traumatic year, but "God is with us." May He receive glory and may we see His face ever nearer.

Heaven Near
Rachel C. Deal
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Norton Suburban Hospital, room 512, cancer ward

I can’t believe your time has come
That it has come so soon
I watch you and I can’t do anything to help
In this hospital room

Life doesn’t seem to be very fair
It’s hard to let you go
I selfishly want to keep you here
So your wisdom can help me on

This is a valley with shadows of death
Shadows that will soon pass
Light—so real—will fill you up
And guide you to a place of rest

You are brave and have fought so well
I don’t know how you’ve coped
Although you knew you had few days left
You’ve let us focus on hope

I love you so much and I’ll miss you greatly
But I don’t want you to be in pain
Eternity is at hand
My loss is heaven’s gain

I grieve that we won’t have more time together
I don’t understand God’s ways
But I do believe that in your life and death
God’s receiving glory and praise

Because I know you love the Lord
I have nothing to fear
It’s as you said in these last days:
Heaven Near

"Cielo Cerca"
Domingo, 30 Septiembre, 2007
Hospital de cáncer, cuarto 512

No puedo creer que tu tiempo haya llegado
Que haya llegado tan rápido
Te miro y no puedo hacer nada para ayudar
En este cuarto de hospital

La vida no se parece ser justa
Es difícil soltarte
Egoístamente deseo que te quedes aquí
Para darme más sabiduría

Esto es un valle con sombra de muerte
Sombras que pronto desaparecerán
Luz—tan verdadero—te llenará
Y te guiará a un lugar de descanso

Eres valiente y has luchado muy bien
No se como lo has hecho
Aunque sabias que tenías pocos días de vivir
Nos dejaste enfocarnos en esperanza

Te amo muchísimo y te faltaré un montón
Pero no quiero que sufras
La eternidad esta cerca
Mi perdida es la ganancia del cielo

Me aflijo que no tendremos más tiempo juntos
No entiendo a Dios
Pero si creo que en tu vida y muerte
Dios esta recibiendo la gloria y alabanza

Porque sé que amas al Señor
No tengo nada temer
Es como dijiste en estos últimos días:
“Cielo cerca”

My Daddy

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me.

Jesus came to take my daddy home last night at 6:30 PM ( Thursday, October 4, 2007 ). Denise, Angie, and I had the privilege of experiencing the sacred moment of his last peaceful breaths on earth. As we wept, Denise read him a love letter, and I read Psalm 23. Then he was welcomed home by the angels and those who have gone before him. As much as we will miss him and long for his wisdom, humor, and presence, it is a relief to know that he is not suffering anymore, that he feels no pain or sorrow, and that to him it will seem like minutes when he is meeting us with the angels when our own appointed time comes. Our prayers were answered and he is completely and forever healed.

The obituary, along with sympathy expressions, will be in the Sunday paper:
Visitation: Monday, October 8, 2-8 PM at Highlands Funeral Home, Taylorsville Road and Dutchmans Lane. Visitation: Tuesday, October 9, 11 AM- 1 PM , Southeast Christian Church. Followed by Service: 1 PM , Chapel

Disappointingly for both of us, Josué was denied a visa, as he does not have the financial stability to show that he is returning and we are not (yet) family—I did get a ring September 26, the day before I came home! But as He has been always, God is with me, as my Father and Lover.

This is a surreal, bittersweet time for me and my family. Thank you for your love, prayers, and kindness.