From the Pen of Barb Winter
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From: RDW112233@aol.com
[mailto:RDW112233@aol.com]
Sent: Fri 5/22/2009 11:17 PM
To: RDW112233@aol.com
Subject: A New Permanent Address
Dear Family and Friends,
Wednesday evening, May 20 at 9:05 p.m. my beloved Ralph entered his heavenly
home after battling the resurgence of the multiple myeloma
that has plagued his body since 2002 and the lymphoma
diagnosed in early February of this year. Several mini strokes plus drop
foot in both feet following his surgery in March complicated his recovery.
Three daughters (Beth visiting from Detroit, Becky
and Linda, both from Pasadena) and I were at
Ralph's bedside singing "Great is Thy Faithfulness"
and "I've Got a Mansion" when he died at home. Becky had arrived just
50 minutes before he died having been in Texas
for a conference. Tricia, his youngest daughter living near Boston, had been here two weeks ago.
All day Tuesday and Wednesday staff members, neighbors and family came to say
their good-byes and to share how Ralph had influenced their lives in so many
ways through the Perspectives course, Mission Frontiers Bulletin, his
other writings, etc.
Early Wednesday evening Ralph's younger brother, David, and his wife, Helene,
arrived from Santa Barbara. They also
brought his older brother, Paul, and his wife, Betty, who live in Pasadena but are unable to drive. We had a precious family time for 90 minutes as we
shared stories, looked at old photos, sang several hymns (I played the piano)
and prayed together led by David.
About fifteen minutes after Ralph died there were a dozen or more folks from our
staff who poured into the living room sharing their love and tears with us.
Word had gotten around the neighborhood quickly from one cell phone call to a
grandson. While Ralph's body was being prepared by the hospice nurse they
moved to the front lawn, joined by still more folks, and sang hymns of victory
over death, shared stories, read Scripture and prayed as he was moved
from the house to the waiting transport vehicle.
Waves of grief continue to come, but also rejoicing that Ralph is free from the
shackles of his earthly body. The Executive Team, under the leadership of
the new General Director of the Frontier Mission Fellowship whom Ralph named as
his successor just two weeks ago, Dave Datema (and his wife Cathie), had been
meeting in a retreat center Tuesday evening and all day and evening
Wednesday. Dave, as I was told, led the group in a time of closing
prayer, expressing his expectation that Ralph would find his heavenly home to
be beyond anything he could have imagined. Ralph was headed there within
minutes of Dave's prayer!
(portion deleted at the request of Barb Winter on June 19, 2009)
The second time down this path isn't any easier than the first, believe
me. My husband was a giant man of God, yet
the most humble giant you could ever hope to meet. He never stopped
thinking of new approaches to fulfilling God's purposes here on earth,
dictating two short articles just about two weeks prior to his death when he
could barely speak. They will appear in print soon. "Retirement" was
not in his vocabulary, nor in the Bible, he said.
I have again been blessed with a godly husband who also loved me and gave
himself for me in every way possible. It was my privilege and an honor to be
his helpmate. I'm so thankful for our nearly seven good years of marriage
and I treasure many wonderful memories of our life together at home and in many
places around the world. Through Ralph I have been privileged to meet
numerous beautiful people in Korea, Guatemala, Japan,
Turkey, Singapore, Budapest,
Amsterdam, and Thailand,
plus in all the places where he has spoken in the U.S., mainly teaching
Perspectives on the World Christian Movement classes. We travelled
because of him, but I am the one who likes to travel! I added four
daughters, four sons-in-law, 14 grandchildren and three more by marriage (soon
to be four!) and one great granddaughter (soon to be two!) to my family, plus
two brothers and two sisters-in-law. How blessed can one woman be?
(portions deleted at the request of Barb Winter on June 19, 2009)
Much love,
Barb
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From: RDW112233@aol.com
[mailto:RDW112233@aol.com]
Sent: Wed 5/20/2009 10:32 AM
To: RDW112233@aol.com
Subject: Update on Ralph Winter
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Dear Friends,
Ralph entered hospice care at home yesterday afternoon. He is currently
on oxygen and pain medication with round-the-clock nursing care provided by
hospice. They have been wonderful, swiftly getting into action for the
things he needed to be comfortable.
Monday we saw the oncologist who decided that due to his low white cell count
not to give him his third radiation treatment for the myeloma lesions. he
ha also cancelled his Velcade chemo treatment last Thursday for the same
reason. Since Sunday evening he has not been able to eat or drink and has
slept most of the time. Quite a dramatic change from Friday and Saturday
when he walked outside with his walker as well as around the house.
Friday evening he was still dictating thoughts in response to an article to his
daughter, Beth, visiting from Detroit.
Yesterday afternoon many of our staff folks came to say their good-byes and to
share how Ralph had influenced them. It was a beautiful time of grieving
together- that sounds like an oxymoron, but for those who know the Savior, we
only grieve the immediate separation. So much happened in that one day I
couldn't believe it! I was weary but got to bed after meeting the nurse
that came on at midnight. Beth came back to stay with her Dad from
midnight on. We will have friends or family with him while I sleep each
night as well as the nurse on duty.
Thank you for your emails, notes and prayers. Thank you also for
continuing to walk with us "through the valley."
With much love and joy in the Lord's strength,
Barb
Published in the July 2009 issue of the multi-lingual online journal www.GlobalMissiology.org