"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."
Revelation 14:13
Our praying friends and family in the Lord,
It is with mingled joy and sadness that I write this update. Sometime in the early morning hours of June 5, Senior Missionary, Bro. Ralph Cheatwood, received the call from Heaven to come home. As most of you know, it was just a few months ago he called the in-county missionaries together and announced he had been diagnosed with stage four cancer. Though uncomfortable, he was never in extreme pain, for which we are thankful. Our Turkish Gypsies held a memorial service in Bulgaria, then another in Romania. There was also a graveside service attended by the missionary families, national pastors, and other workers. He was buried alongside his grandson, not far from the Children's Home in Constanta, Romania.
William Walford authored the famous hymn "Sweet Hour of Prayer." His third verse in particular,
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah's lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I'll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!
Bro. Ralph had been on the summit of "Mount Pisgah" for a few days. Every day there, the clouds thinned a little bit more, shapes began to take form, as slowly the Promised Land came into focus. His family sang to him daily while he lingered. At some point, their songs blended with the singing from that other land until, finally, their song faded, and the chorus of the Redeemed was louder and clearer than those in the room. At last, the summons came, the word was spoken, the Word had spoken. Everything that bound him to this terrestrial ball, every weight that grounded him and held him fast, was at once loosed, and he soared to the Heavens. So many of us that knew him felt his departure before we heard any news. Maybe that was Bro. Ralph, missionary to the Turks, shouting, "Farewell, farewell!" as he passed above us.
We know that, with the passing of Bro. Cheatwood, much has and will change. And yet, we have an abiding peace that Our God changes not. His Spirit, His word, His way all remain the same. I'm sure I speak for the other missionaries we work with, that, by the help of God, we'll continue in the path Bro. Ralph blazed: preaching, praying, singing, and rejoicing, endeavoring to lead those He's called us to, down the same path. More than ever, please bind with us in praying for the work overseas. It's the devil's business to sow discord and doubt. He would have us fear that with Bro. Ralph gone, both spirit and support would dry up. I ask you to help us pray and believe God, that He would show His power in saving more souls, calling more preachers, spreading the gospel farther, and meeting the needs of this work.
Speaking of farewells, the time is drawing closer for us to say ours. Less than a month from now, we'll be on our way back to Bulgaria. This part of the furlough is always bittersweet. Our hearts break as we have to say goodbye. Simultaneously, we're looking forward to returning, excited to see what God has in store for us. I haven't made it a point to emphasize our needs this furlough, lest some slander us as "moochenaries." I came to be a blessing, not to receive one; I came to brag on God, not beg. The Lord will supply the things we need most, namely a vehicle and a home. I only ask you to make it a matter of prayer. Pray in faith, and then watch with us as God supplies.
July 9 will be here before you know it. Pray for Mom. She'll soon be 75. She looks 60 and only occasionally acts her age. Pray for her health and safety, her peace of mind and heart. Also, pray for her aim. I pity the poor soul who comes knocking after dark. If you're a Mormon or Jehovah's Witness, steer well clear when the sun goes down. And if you're a Democrat, steer well clear entirely. In fact, it's advisable for anyone wishing to pay her a visit to call before you come. Word of warning: If she reaches for her "Whitman's Sampler" box, make your apology and a hasty exit. Pray for us. We love you and look forward to hearing from you. Believe for us when our faith wanes, and we'll do the same for you. The good Lord bless you all out of His abundant riches in glory.
Because of a living Savior,
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