Bittersweet Goodbyes

by Chloe

Goodbyes, goodbyes, how I wish to bid you adieu
Farewells, farewells, if only you would take your leave

This week, we said goodbye to dear friends and teammates Dave and Sunshine Okken with their children Caleb, Megan and Jacob. It is difficult to say how much they’ve impacted and shaped our work here. It all began many years ago when Dave was Christopher’s youth pastor and put up with his constant antics. We’ve learned much from them about trusting in God’s sovereignty, no matter how bleak the prospects appear, about humility in the face of change, about gentle communication and service, and about leaving well. We are grateful to have had their children as friends and examples for our own. We are blessed by their friendship and excited to see how God will use them in this next season. May the Lord bountifully bless them!
One day I will say goodbye to sorrow and earthly partings
I will bid trials and tribulation adieu
I will say farewell to anxiety and fear
Loneliness and angst will take their leave
And I will rest in the reward of eternity, with you

3 comments

  • Thank you for your kind words! David Robbins is now leading the Word Ministry. He and his family have been here since Feb 2016. We are hoping to have another pastor come as well and are continuing to pray for local leadership. The transition has just begun! But we know that the Lord will go with us.

  • Christopher & Chloe:

    Your poetry is beautiful and reading it one enters into your world. Thanks.

    It was wonderful to have Dave in our pulpit yesterday. He is quite the preacher and an inspiration in trying times.

    How is the transition going? Who is leading the church at this time? What is the vision for this year–how can I pray?

    Thank you so much for your passion for the Kingdom. It is inspiring and moves me to look for ways to serve the LORD with greater fervor where I am with what I have. Keep modeling your love for and reliance on Jesus.

    Christopher

  • Christopher & Chloe:

    Your poetry is beautiful and reading it one enters into your world. Thanks. It was wonderful to have Dave in our pulpit yesterday. He is quite the preacher and an inspiration in trying times.

    How is the transition going? Who is leading the church at this time? What is the vision for this year–how can I pray?

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