Saying "Good-bye" to Emily

by Cheryl
(Muscatine, IA)

The last time I saw Emily was in August of 2007. We were at East Iowa Bible Camp, and as always, started talking....even though I am 30-some years older than her! Emily told me she felt she needed to really get on with being a full-time missionary....said she had always wanted to do that all her life and that she needed to start. From what I know about Emily, she WAS a "full-time" missionary.

We parted that Friday night, saying we'd see each other in the morning. Breakfast came, but someone said Emily was still sleeping. I had to leave and didn't get to say good-bye.

Then came the emails in December to pray for Emily...and then she was gone.

I thought about who would take up the work she had been doing...who would care for the forgotten ones in this world. I was so shaken by her death that I spent many days thinking.

An email came from a friend saying she wanted to get busy doing things for others. She had not known Emily, but after I told her about Emily she said, "I sure wish I HAD known her." We talked quickly one night and came up with a plan to reach out in love to the "forgotten ones."

So far three others have joined with us. We call ourselves Emily's Grace.