Heaven's Gates Opened Wide

Last week, a dear friend of our family passed away. Although his health had been declining, Marlon's passing was sudden. I had been planning to visit him the following week (he lived a few hours away), but never got the chance. I left a somewhat tearful message on his phone a few days prior. Somehow, I knew I would never get to visit with him one last time.

Marlon grew up in Watts, California. Like many young people in our ministry, he came from a broken family. As a youth, he became involved with our ministry. As a young adult, he moved to Kansas to be a part of our training program at Morning Star Ranch. After graduating from the program, he made his home in Wichita. Marlon came to visit our family often. He had a tough exterior but he always had a soft spot for us kids. He was a deep thinker and often felt burdened by questions of a spiritual nature. He would spend a lot of time discussing (and at times, arguing) these things. But there was no doubt that he had saving knowledge of Christ.

Sadly, Marlon had no connection with his biological family. His only family was our World Impact family.

Several years ago, his health took a turn for the worse when he began to experience paralysis due to complications from spinal meningitis. My dad found him an excellent nursing home in Kansas City that would care for him. My mom and dad and fellow missionary Al Ewert were faithful in visiting Marlon and administrating aspects of his finances and medical care. Us kids would visit him when we got the chance and he was always very glad to see us.

A week ago, my mom was in Kansas City with a friend when Marlon's health went downhill. In God's sovereignty, He orchestrated it so she could be there to stand by his bed and hold his hand as he labored to breathe. He was experiencing congestive heart failure and would have attacks where he could hardly breathe. These attacks were very scary for him and so it was a blessing to know that my mom could be there to pray for him and speak words of love and encouragement.

He made it a few more days before passing peacefully in his sleep. My prayer for Marlon during those days was that he would not be scared or fearful about dying but that he would be comforted knowing his Maker would be welcoming him with open arms.

This whole experience has caused me to wonder in awe at the hope we have in Christ- that this life is not the end! Heavens gates are open wide to those who believe! Heaven's gates are open to the Marlons of this world- to those whose lives have been riddled with pain and tragedy. We minister to many  whose lives resemble our dear brother Marlon. They struggle with physical limitations, emotional baggage from shattered childhoods and pain and disappointment from broken relationships. They need loving Christians to walk alongside them and guide them in the truth. I have a renewed passion to spread this hope to those in my community.

"Death has been swallowed up in victory. 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory though our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).