Rob and Robin have
worked in the high school division at church for many years. On Sunday mornings, they taught 11th graders truth from God’s Word. After
each Bible study lesson, Rob would challenge his young men with, “So what?” How are you going to apply what you have just
studied from the Bible? What difference is
it going to make in your life? But the
investment in their lives didn’t stop on Sunday mornings. They would go to their ball games, Camp
Tallowood, and other activities to support them. Long after students promote from their
department, the ministry continues as they pray for, keep up with, and love and
encourage the young people.
 | |||
| Rob and Robin, with son Alex, at Camp Tallowood, Camp Eagle |
Last summer, after Camp
Tallowood, Rob was diagnosed with cancer.
Instead of planning to die, Rob valiantly fought to live and bless his
family, friends, and co-workers. On
December 4, 2013, Rob met Jesus face to face.
For the past few months, Robin has been piecing together a quilt out of
Rob’s Camp Tallowood t-shirts, while remembering special times, lessons, and
relationships from different camp years in the process. And just like Robin, as she was tying off
each section of the quilt, she spent time praying for the 6th to 12th grade young people who would be attending camp this summer. Camp Tallowood began on Father’s Day, June
15, and Robin, along with her quilt, once again went to camp as a sponsor. Another summer camp listening to her Heavenly Father and investing in the lives of His children. My prayer is that the quilt will be a comfort
to Robin as she remembers her times with Rob and others at camp and will also
be a piece by piece reminder of God’s provision, encouragement, peace,
protection, hope, joy, and care during these days.
As
Robin would give updates on the progress of her project, I began to picture the
quilt/comforter as a visual representation and
reminder of the Comforter that God sent to be with each of us when Jesus went
to Heaven. God knew that the early believers and we would
need someone to remind us of His great love for us, to lead us to Jesus, to
encourage, teach and convict us. And
like Robin’s quilt, God wants us to feel His presence and be wrapped in and
comforted by His protection, provision, care, hope, faithfulness, and guidance as piece by
piece He adds our lives to His story.
But
when the Father sends the Comforter
instead of me*—and by the Comforter
I mean the Holy Spirit—he will teach you much, as well as remind you of
everything I myself have told you.
John 14:26 (Living
Bible)
“But
I will send you the Comforter—the
Holy Spirit, the source of all truth. He will come to you from the Father and
will tell you all about me.
John 15:26 (Living
Bible)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all
our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we
ourselves receive from God.
2
Corinthians 1:3, 4
Peter
replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ
for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38
May
the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that
you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Debbie, what a beautiful tribute to Rob and his love for our Savior and the students in the youth ministry. He was really as kind, giving, and devoted as I have continued to write about him. I think back to last year when he went to camp unknowingly filled with cancer and blood clots in his lungs. He was so sick that week, but he continued to pour love into the lives of those in our tribe. What obedience and courage. I'm so grateful that he was covered by the Father's protection and care so we could have a few more months together. God is so good!
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