It is hard to believe that the calendar now says "December"!!! We just had a wonderful visit from our two older children, Shane and Blythe, who were able to celebrate Thanksgiving here with us. And yes, we had turkey and pumpkin pie. Here we are in our front yard enjoying a beautiful warm, sunny day. We truly felt God's blessing on our time together--our older kids got to see so much of the island and the ministry and meet many of the nationals that we work and "do life" with here.
Early in November we made a trip back to Illinois because Dave's father passed on and we were able to celebrate his long life with so many family, friends and supporters in Illinois. We were so touched by how many people came to the visitation and the memorial service. It was a real tribute to Dave's father and the life he lived and the lives that he touched with Christ's love. So we want to make this entry a tribute to Dave's father, Carl. Below is a family photo of Dave's parents, Carl and Ruth, his brother, Tim and sister, Debbie--Dave is "the baby".
Carl was a man who attended church all his life but at the age of 50 had an experience (an encounter with the living God, if you will) that caused him to evaluate his life and make some radical changes. From that point on he purposed to genuinely seek to know and serve God with all his heart. He was involved in many things but his passion was to mentor younger men and encourage them to take their faith seriously. Dave received the following email from a friend and ministry supporter which really captures the essence of Carl...
"I wanted you to know that there were not five other people who contributed more to my life in more ways than Carl did. I had a very tearful conversation about an hour after I learned he had passed away with my son as we sat in my office. Carl was a third father to me -- I am awfully saddened by the passing yet I feel extremely good about the relationship that he and I had over more than 25 years. Nobody contributed more to my spiritual growth than Carl Schwulst. No one genuinely cared for my eternal well-being more than Carl. I feel like he has placed a part of his spirit in my heart that I hope can live on for as long as I am on this earth. And I pray that I can impact people's lives for Christ in a small fractional way that he did.
I do pray for your ministry and support it as I can."
"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."
~Proverbs 27:17~
Wow!! That we all could leave such a legacy!!--genuinely caring for the well being of others and contributing to their spiritual growth so that a part of God's spirit in us lives on in them.
We thank you all for playing such a vital role in the ministry here--where we are trying to do just this---walk alongside the nationals here, lifting them up in prayer and encouraging them in their personal spiritual growth and their ministries.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas--may we all experience afresh the awe and wonder of what this season means---God came to dwell among us and has left us his spirit as our constant companion to lead, guide and comfort us.
With God's grace and for His glory,
The Dave Schwulst family
PS--We welcome your Christmas cards--please send them to the Agape Flights address below.