A Long Journey...

Grief

Over the past 12 months, Phil and I have lost three grandparents.

In April of 2025, we lost Sandy Barber, my maternal grandmother.

In March of 2026, we lost Bob Barber, my maternal grandfather.

In April of 2026, we lost Joe Querfeld, Phil's paternal grandfather.

Bob and Sandy were missionaries in Scotland and in Eastern Europe for over 40 years with BCM International. They would live out of their cars for 4-6 weeks as they drove around Eastern Europe soon after the Iron Curtain fell, to encourage believers and Christian leaders as they sought to revive the church post-Communism.

Praise God, all three trusted God with their lives and salvation, and so we know that they are whole and with Him in eternity.

But it still hurts.

It's an aching in the chest when we can't seek their wisdom in the midst of tough times and decisions.

It's a stab in the gut when I have happy news to share, but there is no one to call.

It's a stinging in the eyes when their pictures pop up on my phone or in a frame around the house.

It's a weight on my shoulders when I realize the hurt won't ever go away while I remain on this earth.

Joe (and his wife Betty, who we can still enjoy on this earth) was a missionary to Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Honduras with Central America Mission. They served in everything from pioneer church-planting to teaching in a Bible Institute.

Death is the enemy of God and all that is good, and I hate it. Though, more than that, I'm thankful that death has lost the war, and in due time, even death will be put to death.

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" (1 Cor. 15:55) We "do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again..." (1 Thess. 4:13-14)

The last month has been heavy, and both Phil and I have felt the weight of grief as physical exhaustion lately. Yet, even when we are too tired to cry, we rest in the assurance that God is still in control, still on His throne, and that He has won the victory, even if we don't see it yet.

Thailand Trip (May 9th-17th)

I, and a team of BCM leaders, will traveling to Thailand from May 9th-17th.

In the midst of it all, I have also been preparing to go to Thailand to help run a Soul Care retreat.

On Saturday, May 9th, a team of BCM's international leaders will be traveling to Thailand to run a Soul Care Retreat for a group of 20 missionaries. I have the privilege of being on this team.

The goal of trip is to care for the souls of the missionaries attending who are serving in the midst of a complex and drawn out civil war. We will be providing for their physical needs, encouraging them with the Word of God, worshiping Him together, and praying for one another as we hear each others' stories.

If you would like to learn more about this trip, or if you would like to give towards the needs of the missionaries attending, you can read more about it here.

You can also give to help these missionaries receive the rest and care they need through the BCM International website. If you use the designations and labels highlighted in the picture, the funds will go towards funding the flights and hotel costs for our Asian missionaries attending.

It doesn't escape my notice that as I am preparing to serve people facing loss, trauma, and uncertainty, God is having my process loss and uncertainty in my own life. He is a "recycling God;" He never allows anything to go to waste, but finds ways to bring beauty from our pain for His good purpose.

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Prayers and Praises:

Pray for the Zimmerman, Barber and Querfeld Families

• Pray for the families as we grieve and remember the incredible men they were.

• Pray for wisdom and simple processes as the families try to sort out the logistics of someone passing.

  
  

Pray for the Missionaries attending the Soul Care Retreat

• Pray that the airline will not cancel the flights to Thailand. (With fuel shortages on the rise, many flights are getting cancelled globally. This could prevent our missionaries from coming.)

• Pray that God will protect and provide for the missionaries as they serve in the midst of a war.

  
  

Pray for the International Team as we Prepare/Plan the Trip

• Pray for safe travels to and from Thailand. It is a 24 hour trip there and a 30 hour trip back.

• Pray for attentiveness to the Holy Spirit as we prepare Bible teaching for the time there.

• Pray that God will grant us wisdom in knowing how best to encourage the team during the retreat.

• Praise God that He has allowed us to serve these incredible people who are serving God's kingdom.

Upcoming Trips:

• May 9th-17th---Soul Care Retreat in Bangkok, Thailand

• (Tentative) August 1st-9th--BCM Africa Regional Conference in Nairobi, Kenya

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