January 14, 2006
Dear loved ones of Gospel
Chapel, Baldwin,
Thank you so much for your e-mail,
brother Ray, with interesting news and for the much-appreciated
assembly gift of $100 which has just come in through CMML. You may not
have heard that my dear John was called Home to be with His Lord whom
he loved and served so well on Dec 26th. More details of this are in
the following part of this letter. Your gift coming at this time is so
much appreciated. It is a reminder that although the Lord has taken to
be with Himself my dear life-partner of 51 years, yet HE REMAINS as
the ever loving Faithful Father who will continue to show His kindness
and care. You have been such an encouragement to me at this time and I
thank the Lord for you. Your prayers will be much appreciated that His
near presence will continue to give sustaining strength and needed
help. May the Lord bless you. The following gives news of my John's
home-call.
A man sent by God who was a true
witness - John Sims. The Calls of God to John Sims and how he obeyed.
Call of salvation - - - in 1933
he trusted the Saviour at the age of 8 years
Call to full time service - - -
in 1951 he went to Zambia as a missionary to serve the Lord
Call to partnership - - - in 1954
he married Eleanor Logan to serve God unitedly
Call to new mission field - - -
in 1971 they moved to Zimbabwe for the educational needs of the family
Call to witness thru failing
health - - - in 2003 came to reside in USA for needed medical
treatment
Call "come up here, my
child" - - - Dec 26th 2005 he was relieved of suffering to
rejoice in His presence
It was a privilege to be John's
life-partner for 51 years. Both of us, born in Africa of missionary
parents, enjoyed serving our Lord together in Africa. His Parkinson's
illness necessitated our move to USA two years ago. Christmas Day,
Sunday, through failing health John was not able to gather with others
to remember the Lord as he loved to do, so the two of us in our home
meditated on the titles of Christ in Isa 9:6, not realizing that less
than 24 hours later he would see, face to face, the One who, in love,
came to this earth for us. How meaningful these titles of Christ would
be to me and to our family in the ensuing days. The cardiopulmonary
arrest he had in our cottage here suddenly transported him into the
presence of the One he loved so well and longed to see. Often he would
comment on how wonderful it would be to be with the Lord.
His favorite hymn which was
beautifully sung at the service by my brother and sister-in-law, David
and Ruth Logan, was, "My Redeemer, oh what beauties in that
lovely Name appear; none but, Jesus in His glories shall the honored
title wear." The last verse says, "When in heaven I see Thy
glory, when before Thy throne I bow;
perfected I shall be like Thee, fully Thy redemption know. My Redeemer
then shall
hear me SHOUT HIS PRAISE". Quoting what was written in memory of
him here at Pittsboro, ". . . how precious a thought that John's
physically weakened voice is now able to ‘shout His praise’ in the
very presence of his blessed Redeemer."
After the meeting on Christmas
Day, our daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Steve (Witter) and
Ruthie, who live near us, came and we had a lovely, quiet Christmas
together. It was a shock to them also to hear that only a few hours
after they returned home, our loved one was no longer with us, but
with the Lord. We longed and prayed that all six of our dear children
living in two different continents would be able to be here for this
time of sorrow and joy intermingled. An unexpected problem turned up
regarding the coming of our daughter, Roselyn (van Aswegen) who lives
in Zimbabwe, which hindered her from getting the flight on which she
was booked to come here. In the last ten minutes (after which it would
have been impossible for her to catch the last flight to get her here
on time) the required extra visa was miraculously granted. The Lord is
so good. All our loved six children and other family members were able
to be here for the funeral and memorial service and were such a
blessing. John was a godly, caring father bringing up all his children
in the "training and admonition of the Lord". John was also
such a precious, faithful husband whose Christ-likeness blest us all.
His faithfulness in serving the Lord in Africa will long be
remembered. Of our loved one who is now with the Lord, we can say, he
fought a good fight, he has finished the race, he has kept the faith
and there is laid up for him a crown of righteousness. The family and
I would so much appreciate your prayers for the Lord's help in
adjusting to life without our dear loved one, John.
With love in the Lord,
Eleanor
