Two Worlds

Five days before I left America to return to Ukraine, Deb Erickson passed away. I was torn between staying a few days more so I could be at the memorial service and leaving to come back on time for the camp for the kids from the orphanage in Kaniv. Deb's husband Dave told me what I already knew but needed to hear: "She would have wanted you to go back." I had a feeling that if I didn't get on the plane, a little foot would come down from the sky and start kicking my butt.

The time home was a gift from the Lord as I was there for Deb's last few weeks on earth. The time back here was also a gift as the camp was amazing. I had the oldest guys in my room, the tough ones, and they were great. Even they took part in everything, from dancing to American Football. We had many discussions about the future, life and faith. Three days before the camp, the director of the orphanage asked if we could take 15 extra kids as they would've been stuck at the orphanage with no place to go. Anya said yes, but thought we would have to end the camp a day early as we didn't have the money for them. Just before I left, Dennis and Dot Mello and Jeff and Diane Nanfelt gave me some cash and it was enough to pay for the additional kids so we could do the whole camp. On that last day, Andrei and Vika became believers. The next day, Andrei told me that he felt light and free.

John, Deb, Shawn, Tim (font)

On the last evening of the camp, I shared about faith and fear. I used this photo, taken five days before Deb passed away, and shared that the photo was of some of my best friends and how each of us in the photo had fears and how God had helped us with those fears. When I came to Deb, I shared that I had asked her if she was afraid of what was ahead and how, without hesitation, she said "no". The verses from the Gospel of John, as sung by Rich Mullins, came to mind--"In my Father's House, there are many many rooms...and I'm goin' up there now to prepare a place for you, so that where I am that you may also be."

After the talk, several of the kids came up and gave me big hugs and said that what Deb said really touched them. They often feel alone, afraid, and unloved. Our prayer is that they will know that they are not alone.

I know that is what Deb prayed for them and for all of us.

 

 

Matt, John, Seva, Andrei

Ariel, Anya, Jess, Alona

A Saint and Sinners

Deb, Steema, John, Rob, Shawn, Tim 2005

I've been using this blog mostly to share some of the lives of the extraordinary people I am blessed to encounter in many places. I love being able to meet people who are not making names for themselves, but who are making their lives count in ways that go beyond words.

Since I came to faith in many years ago, one of the people I have turned to, laughed with, grieved with, and just loved to be with is Deb Erickson. Deb is Straight Ahead's prayer chain coordinator and has been coming to Teamworks for many years. Sometime before she started with us, the Lord told Deb that she would be visiting prisons and meeting with many inmates. At that time, Deb's reaction was something like "you sure you got the right number Lord?", but shortly thereafter, she starting writng to Shawn-the first kid I met at a lock up in 1990--as he was incarcerated. That lead to weekly visits, which lead to a wonderful friendship that continues to this day. Her letters to Shawn, Ryan, Steema, Joe, Mike and many others have kept their hope alive when others gave up on them. Her love is Christ's love incarnate.


Deb was also there when we lost Justice, JS, Red and Hollywood. If she had not been such a support, I don't know that I would still be in the ministry. Last weekend, Tim and Linda Crump, Shawn and his wife Mandy, and I got to hang out with Deb for the afternoon.  Being together gave us a chance to laugh as we shared some of the great memories that we've all had together for many, many years.

Right now, Deb is battling serious health issues so I'm asking for your prayers for her, her husband Dave, and their children Darcy and Todd. When Deb tells someone that she will pray for them, it's not a Christian brush-off, but a true commitment. I'm asking for all of us to do the same.