This morning, our dear friend Eri was welcomed home to Jesus. We've been asking you to pray along with us for Eri during her struggle with cancer in the past year. Today, she is free! We told E that we had a sad-and-happy thing to tell him, that Eri's body has died, but her spirit is now with Jesus. Sad for us, because we won't see her until we die, but happy for her, that she is healthy and strong, with a new body, and her same sweet spirit, made perfect. He thought for a while, and then in a tickly whisper in my ear, "can I tell you something happy? You know, when I die, I will get to see Eri in heaven!" Even in death, Eri offers such beauty and grace as we gather to mourn, remember, celebrate and anticipate when we're all together again.
Please continue to pray for Eri's husband Hideo, who is not a Christian, and who is facing much grief tonight and in the coming days. We will celebrate Eri's life at a service this Sunday night.
Advent is coming; all that is evil and wrong will be not only rectified, but actually undone, and re-formed into beauty and truth. Amen!
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| Eri, last winter, just before her first round of surgery |
