Goodbye? No, "See you later, Maria!" by Kim

Maria’s frail arm rose in a weak wave when I left her room last December in Romania. 

It’s the last image I have of her. She died earlier this month.

I’ve loved Maria since the day I met her in July of 2011.  She quickly became the poster girl 

for our Elder Orphan Care brochure.

Her eyes communicated much more than her voice.

She was forever grateful.

She delighted in her Christmas Box of Hope.

She always wanted prayer.

It will be hard to see someone else in Maria’s bed when I return to Romania next month. 

But I’m beyond grateful that she was cared for in her later years 

by servants of God, that she loved Jesus, that I had the privilege of knowing her, and best of all, that I didn’t say “Goodbye” last December.

I said “See you later!” And that is a true and wonderful statement.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up 

together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 

And so we will be with the Lord forever. 

Therefore encourage one another with these words. 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Kim wrote this last month before going on a 6 week ministry trip to Romania (where she is now). Please check out her Elder Orphan Care site and "like" her page on Facebook. And please pray for her ministry.  Gail Purath for Kim Jackson