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Dear Pastor and Friends,
Many of you know by now the love of my life and my journey partner went to be with Jesus on July 18, 2021. Craig died of pneumonia due to a very compromised immune system from all the chemotherapy he went through during the ten months before getting his clean bill of health for the cancer. We arrived back in Colombia on June 2 excited and with many plans to get back to what we have loved doing for 50 years, serving our Lord together.
We both contacted Covid-19 and had very light cases. I began to feel better after 15 days, but Craig just could not kick it. On July 7 he was hospitalized and with all the best equipment and doctors Colombia could offer, God healed Craig in His very presence. This is the hardest testing my sons and I have been through. There are times the waves of grief are strong and catch me by surprise. I cry! Then the wave starts to reside and go out to sea again. God is never too far from me that He can't meet me where I am and fill me with His amazing peace. As I have shared with many, I will usually end up singing a worship song to Him. It has become the natural flow with these waves and it is a healing time.
I am surrounded by my sweet Christian family from our church here in Colombia. They are also going through the loss of someone they have loved dearly for many years. My three sons have been by my side through this also. I love them so much.
I miss Craig so much every day. Living and moving forward without that partner is called "the grief process." It has to be lived! As a very wise person has stated, "Grief never ends...but it changes. It's not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith...it is the price of having loved."
My desire is to stay here in Colombia as a BBFI missionary and continue to serve the same God who has been so faithful to me for so many years! I will pray and seek the Lord for any change I make, but for now, this is where I will be. The verse Craig and I put on our prayer cards 50 years ago was 1 Thessalonians 5:24, "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." What was true then still is true now. Oh, how faithful He has been! He will continue to do great and mighty things.
I am participating in one of our Day Zero evangelistic camps this weekend. I'm excited about being incharge of the "War Room" this time praying for God to break down strongholds, remove blinders from the eyes of young people, and give redemption and transformation to this generation. Oh, there is still so much work to do!
Thank you so very much for the part you are having in the ministry here in Colombia, and YES! KEEP HOLDING THE ROPE!
In this together, STILL.
Fran Lingo
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