Glorious Homecoming
James Lee , President
As I returned from Peru last summer , I wrote an email to our COJ Peru director , Carmen . “ Sister Carmen , I have arrived home safely . I know that you will not be reading this email , and you won ’ t respond to it either . But I had to write to you one more time as I always did for the past 18 years …”
I knew that was going to be my last email to her since our beloved sister Carmen was called home in July . I was heading to the hospital to go see her during the visitation hours . “ Has Carmen ’ s condition changed any since I saw her last ?” “ No . Actually doctors told us that unless there is a miracle she has about one year to live . But she is very alert . She is worried about the mission team arriving from the States .”
Our taxi was racing to the hospital . “ Hola . Que ? O ~ no ! No ! No , es imposible ! No !” ( Hello . What ? No , that is not possible …) I knew right away what was happening . “ Pastor James , Sister Carmen was called by our Father just a few minutes ago …” Clara started to sob hysterically .
“ This is not happening … our God would not do this to us . She was waiting to see me . I was going to pray for her healing … why Lord ?” So many thoughts crossed my mind . We have been through a lot together . We experienced our living God perform miracle after miracle in the lives of thousands of poor children . We visited every possible impoverished area of Peru . I have never worked with anyone who was more reliable , diligent , responsible , and hard working . Of course , she was not a perfect woman but she was a true disciple of Jesus Christ .
She joined where God was working with her total being for she was so grateful of her salvation . It was last summer when I said , “ Sister Carmen , I realized that you have never celebrated your birthday with your family since we ’ ve been working together . I am so sorry about that .” “ Pastor James , what ’ s so important about my birthday ? I am grateful that I can spend my birthday with these poor and needy children . Besides , I got you and the whole mission team wishing me a happy birthday ! My life is for our God ’ s glory only !” She was more than a staff member of our organization . She was like my own sister or aunt . She had great love for me and all the mission team members , as well .
I stopped by our office after the funeral service . Her belongs were still on her desk . Great sorrow and sadness overwhelmed me once again . “ Why Lord ?” Then , peace attended my soul , like a river , and I realized that God ’ s timing was once again impeccable . He wanted the whole mission team to come and be present at her home coming . As the mission team gathered around her casket , we sang her favorite hymn together … “ Then sings my soul , my savior God , to thee ; How great thou art ! How great thou art !”
“… Sister Carmen , let me finish my email . I was always worried about you getting some rest . But I guess I don ’ t have to worry about that anymore . You have done all you can for our Abba Father ’ s glory . I am sure that you have received your wonderful reward when you returned Home . Rest well and be in peace forever ! I love you Sister Carmen ! And we will see each other soon ... with thousands of poor children in His presence ! James ”