Summer July 2010

CAROL'S MOTHER CONNIE'S HOME GOING
Thank you for praying for Carol's mother, Connie who went to be with the Lord on June 21st. Carol and Alecia had gone up to Hokkaido a few days earlier and so had been able to be there with the family at the end. Above is a photo taken of us all after the funeral. The following is a report sent from Carol's elder brother Gerald:

"Our mother passed away from earth to heaven at 9:59 pm on June 21^st 2010. Her body has died but we have the strong sense that death has been conquered by Jesus Christ.

The very week our mother passed away was the 50th year that she and my father left New Zealand to come to Japan as missionaries. During these years my mother welcomed many people to our home which was often also the church, with the love and receptive heart that God had given her.

The funeral was held on June 23rd (Wednesday), to which about 300 people came from local Muroran City, from many parts of Hokkaido and the main island of Japan. The presence of the Lord was with us and many mentioned how they were moved by the funeral. We are very grateful to hear that one old family friend (Mrs Kiyono) who attended said “I am very touched by Mrs Connie’s life and faith. I want to get baptized.” On the morning that our mother passed away, even though she was under the influence of pain killers, my father said to her, "I love you." Her immediate rejoinder was, "I love you too." Thisf became the last conversation my parents had. Dad has the firm assurance that Mom is in heaven with the Lord and is constantly thanking the Lord about that. But he is also experiencing the sadness of losing his life companion of 53 years. We would appreciate it if you could keep him in your prayers. Please also pray that the entire Goodall family including the grand-children, will continue to answer the Lord’s calling on our lives."