Memories of a "good and faithful servant" and sister in law. This could also be entitled "The End of an Era".

It isn’t every missionary wife and mother, that has her sister in law make herself available to be around within 24-36 hours after the delivery of their next child, especially when they are all born on the mission field. However, we were blessed by having Betty drive her little car all the way from Lusaka to Kabompo, to be on hand to look after her nephew or niece and nephew – and even on one occasion to feed a small baby while mother was in hospital. In those days, Betty would turn herself to anything – even to caring for point of lay hens in her bath tub – before she began her trip to Kabompo. I am sure many of you have heard her tell many stories of her trips up here and many others besides as Betty loved to tell stories and entertain. She also loved to read, and would live in the books she was reading, sharing the story as tho she herself was right there and it was happening to her.
I actually met Betty long before I met my husband Don, as my first week in Zambia was spent in Lusaka, and as many will and have testified, Betty was certainly given to hospitality and my friend and I benefited from that hospitality during that first week.
Two to three years later, when Betty realized that her brother Don had a special interest she somehow guessed that it might be me and more or less gave her approval before being asked. Betty became a very valuable part of our family – and most Zambian Christmas’ were spent with Auntie Betty in Zambia. Then, when she was back in Canada – once again, Brooks’ Christmas’s were spent at Auntie Betty’s place at Eagle Lake – even when she was in Russia, Christmas was still at Eagle Lake but somehow, some of the spark was missing – cos Betty wasn’t there. She certainly followed her mother’s example of hospitality. Many emails which have arrived these past few days give testimony to the hospitality she showed to those who needed to come to Lusaka for business or, who, as visitors to Zambia, passed thru Lusaka and appreciated being collected at the airport, given a bed and a meal. Sisters and wives of Elders in Lusaka, will verify that she in turn passed on to her Zambian “children” – the importance of hospitality, loving and disciplining children, teaching of Sunday School etc. Even years later – the sisters in Lusaka, (and the brethren too) still talk, with loving memories, and grateful appreciation, for all that she taught them during her 20 years in that city.
These last few days in Kabompo, at school and here at home, a number have paid tribute to her, mentioning how they enjoyed working with her, talking with her, and a number have mentioned her smile and laugh. She tried to learn some Luvale, but it didn’t come easily, however, she would smile or laugh and they would appreciate that.
How thankful we are that Betty was able to enjoy this past Christmas, at Eagle Lake – we wanted to protect her from the work – but, those of you who know Betty, know that she loved to have things organized ahead of time and she had already, before going for her radiation, bought things which she thought she would use at Christmas, in preparation for that day. She wanted to have that Christmas and while she was tired afterwards, she was so thankful and so were we, that we had been able to celebrate that last Eagle Lake Christmas together. Last, because she sold her home and moved in May this year, and last because, she will be enjoying an Eternal celebration much greater than any down here.
Another special thing about that Eagle Lake Christmas was that my sister and her husband from N. Z. were finally able to see the famous Eagle Lake and meet all the Brooks that they had heard so much about over the years. Not only were we together at Eagle Lake – but also in Port Colborne, where once again, Betty entertained her great nephews with stories from her treasury! And then there was Richard and Katherine’s wedding and the joy of that occasion and also the lovely photos, that we will treasure for years to come. The one of Betty you see on the program and a lovely family photo, which included the whole clan.
This year has certainly marked the end of an era in the Brooks family. We will miss Betty, her laugh, her stories, her love and care and her Eagle Lake home and hospitality. Betty was never one to complain, she took patiently any suffering that came her way. We are so thankful for all who visited and encouraged her and for those who kept us posted on her situation, unclear and all as it was. We are however, most thankful to the Lord that her suffering was not prolonged and that she is now rejoicing with the One she loved and served over many years. (Personally, I am so thankful that Don can be there to share the memories of many years and experiences. )One other thing – Betty was really quick at marking exams – and making up answer keys – I miss her right now for that fact too and recall the many times she would come down, or call up, in the middle of marking to share some howler from an exam – someone’s explanation of a Bible story etc finishing with “ I bet you didn’t know that now, did you?” followed by a good laugh.

"Beyond this darkness, lies the perfect day"

For Betty - that day came, only two days after the email below. July 19th at 05.00 hrs - the Lord called her home, and freed her from her suffering. We learned, only hours before that, the the cancer had spread thru her bones and entered her lung - and it was obvious that time was short. Don immediately began making preparations to travel - while at the same time we were running all of our Christian Religious Education exams. The Lord enabled Don to fly the next day from Kabompo and he reached Toronto on the 22nd. Elva remained "by the stuff" - which consisted mainly of about 2000 essays to mark!.
Visitation is today, Wed 25th and the funeral will be tomorrow. All the rest of our family will be there. Glad that Don is able to be present - and while I would have liked to be there, it just wasn't possible at this stage.

An email. sent out July 17th

Dear All,

From so far away it is difficult to know what to say about Betty, except that she is in the hands of her Loving Heavenly Father and only He knows the whole situation and His plan. As I think you are aware, Betty had a G-tube inserted, someone had said that after that, with proper nutrition, she would "bounce back" - but, the reality of the situation is that after an initial slight improvement - her situation seems to have deteriorated.
She is in severe pain, is on heavy medication for this but even so, the pain is not being relieved, because of this, it is becoming more difficult for her to be propped up for her feeds. We have very little explanation, at this point, as to her real situation. Heavy sedation and a bacterial infection are making it more difficult for her to talk.
We thank you for praying for her and for us.

On this side - we do praise the Lord for answered prayer and for the tremendous help and support the counsellors were in the camps which have just finished. Also, every one of the speakers turned up in good time. We certainly have much to praise and thank the Lord for. Especially, are we thankful, for those whose lives were touched and changed - and we continue to support and pray for them. Thankyou for your great part in the Lord's work here. School exams are just about to start and following that of course, is the wonderful job of marking - being as these are the largest exams of the year!

Assembly wise, Don has many responsibilities, do pray regarding the assembly here - and for Don and the one brother who have been left with a great load. Much spiritual grace and wisdom is needed.

I thought the poem by Henry H. Barry, in the Counsel Magazine was very appropriate -

He Leadeth Me.

In "green pastures"? Not always;
sometimes He, Who knowest best,
in kindness leadeth me
In weary ways, where heavy shadows be,
Out of the sunshine, warm and soft and bright,
Out of the sunshine, into darkest night,
I oft would faint with sorrows and affright,
Only for this: I know He holds my hand;

So, whether led in green or desert land,
I trust, although I may not understand.
Beside "still waters"? No, not always so;
Oftimes the heavy tempests 'round me blow,
And o'er my soul the waves and billows go.
But when the storms beat loudest, and I cry
Aloud for help, the Master standeth by,
and whispers to my soul, "Lo, it is I."
Above the tempest wild I hear Him say:
"beyond this darkness lies the perfect day;
In every path of thine I lead the way.

"So, whether on the hill-tops, high and fair I dwell,
or in the sunless valleys where The shadows lie,
what matter? He is there.
And more than this; where'er the pathway lead,
He gives to me no helpless, broken reed,
But His own hand, sufficient for my need.

In the One who is working out His perfect plan,
thanking you for your great part,

College Camp

We will be off to the College camp Thurs 12th. Thanks for praying. Teachers and student teachers, plus other of ex students and workers hope to be attending. Don and John Langfeld will be sharing the sessions - and their subjects are from the book of Hebrews.

Photos

I have had my first, but unsuccessful attempts, to upload photos on to this page - too late to try any more tonight!!

So much has happened!

Hello everyone - What a long silence from us - well, some have been receiving little snippets along the way - but as you know, nothing has appeared on this site!
For all of the year - we have been on very restricted electricity = however, eventually, the inevitable happened, and we were plunged into a total blackout - not only no electricity, but also no water. After about 10 days the water supply was reestablished - on rations, but the absence of electricity continued. The Lord had made provision for us to be able to purchase a small 5 KVA generator and we had done this in May - we were so thankful to the Lord that we had done this and therefore were able to run this in the evenings, thus managing to do all the necessary printing and communications for the camps which we were running.
In addition to this - during this time, Don's sister Betty was admitted to hospital - seriously sick and concerns were also being expressed about the welfare of Richard and Katherine's little daughter. Thankfully, due to the generator, we were able to keep in contact and on one morning learned that Betty was to have a G - tube inserted (viewed as more or less permanent due to digestive failure - ? further complications of radiation) and this would be how she would be fed, and that little Elysha, had multiple heart complications that would require immediate surgery after birth and at least 2 other surgeries during her first year of life D.V. We are thankful to report that Betty, now able to receive proper nutrition, is beginning to improve but still in hospital and that Katherine, is being given excellent care and attention and already, at this early stage, the specialists have planned out how they will proceed. They (and we) have had a lot of information to process - but ultimately, in all this, we all recognize that Our God is Sovereign and is working all things together, in love, for His Glory.
We are thankful to report that we do now have electricity again - although still rationed but a better supply than we have had throughout 2007.
You may recall us asking for prayer regarding the camps and we are thankful to say that the Lord has answered those prayers - Don was so encouraged at the previous Boy's camp - as some of the younger counsellors have shown such responsibility and care so that, while other of our missionary colleagues are not around to help this year - the work has gone ahead with a wonderful working relationship and recognition that the work is being done for the Lord. We are thankful for those who have come to the Lord and others who have been challenged and strengthened. The last of the school camps is currently in progress (Grade 11 & 12 Boys) and we value prayer for this weekend too. Following this, in July, we have a College and Careers Camp and there has been a lot of interest expressed by various of the student teachers who are currently in school for their teaching practice. In line with this too, has been the encouragement through the interest in the Tues evening Bible Study at our home where this same group is catered for - Don has been going thru Romans - and so much interest has been shown - and we are thankful for the Lord's working in the lives of a number - from a J.W./Traditionalist, to a Unversity Graduate - all beginning to realize that indeed, before the Lord we are ALL Guilty and undercondemnation - we long to see them humble themselves and accept the solution. One other young man - after asking a question and receiving the explanation regarding our position and acceptance in Christ, exclaimed, something to the effect of, "wow, that IS amazing Grace!" Grace is such a foreign concept and seems so hard to grasp - everyone is very ready to accept the fact that they must work for salvation or to keep their salvation-even although they will admit that they fail - so an exclamation such as this - really brought tears to my eyes!
Thankyou to all who pray for us - your prayers are so valuable - we appreciate them. Please continue and especially we would ask that you would pray that we would have, or avail ourselves of, the needed grace to cope with the frustrations of rising corruption and interruptions to established programs in school. These two factors make teaching so much more difficult. Pray that we might be faithful to the commission and recognize the great responsiblity and opportunity we do have to share the wonderful Gospel of Grace with so many.
Another very major prayer request is for the local assembly here - pray too for grace and wisdom as problems are faced and dealt with - that in all the Lord's name might be honoured and glorified and as a result His people encouraged and strengthened in their faith.
Time is short - the devil knows it - may we all go forth with courage knowing that the victory has already been won - we are on the winning side - may we honour the One who is the Victor!! Also, may we press on towards the mark................................