I have not been able to blog the last couple of days. On Tuesday, May 15, I have vericous vein surgery on my left leg. Quite extensive. I have 16 one-inch incisions down my leg where the doctor removed the damaged vein. Amazing operation and an amazing experience. The staff at LGH and the day surgery staff is outstanding. My doctor is unbelieveable. A great big shout out to Cherie for the tip!!!
But my surgery will always be remembered as the day that our dear saint, Delna Helland passed away. While I was in the operating room, Delna was going to heaven! I woke up in recovery with Kris whispering, "Delna died." I think I have been recovering so well to get ready for the funeral on Saturday. Delna and Bruce were founding members of our church. As a matter of fact, they were on the search committee at the other church that brought us to Lancaster. They were also the only members of the committee that stayed at the church after I had gotten there! Bruce was an elder and Delna was the chief intercessor. I am convinced that all that has occurred at NewSong is a result of her faithful praying. When I would forget to pray for myself -- I knew Delna had prayed for me. She was a fantastic encourager. She and Bruce had a ministry to our young adults -- they would take them to lunch and try to convince them to go on the mission field.
The most encouraging thing to me was that she was my greatest fan as a preacher. She never complained that my messages were long. Instead she use to tell me -- "I need them every Sunday!!" She could have taught me a thing or two about the Lord and Christianity and here she was telling me she needed me to preach the Word and not to hold back.
I got to perform the Hellands' 50th anniversary re-enacting of the ceremony. It was not a re-new of vows -- as Delna told me -- "they were never broken so they don't have to be re-newed!!"
NewSong has lost a treasure and on Saturday we will get to say thank you.