I mentioned previously that Malee, the first convert for the church here in Chiang Mai, passed away this past week. She had been struggling with breast cancer for awhile now and had not been doing well lately. I wanted to share a little bit of her story with you because it touched my heart and I hope that it will touch yours too.
Robert told us that she was one of the most Christ-like people he had ever met. Malee did not make much money but needed very little. She lived a simple life and saved what little money she did have or gave much of it to the church. Everyday during her lunch break this women who was battling breast cancer on her own, would go visit this man who had been diagnosed with AIDS. She would clean his wounds and give him a sponge bath, I believe everyday. Apparently, no one even knew she did this. She did not expect anything in return nor did she publicise what she was doing. She was imply being Christ. I am floored by this woman's act of service. I think that if I was battling cancer, taking care of someone else would be the last thing on my mind. I have never heard a more clearly painted picture of Christ. I'm sure there are many more wonderful stories abut this women and I am sad to have never met her. She will live on in the hearts of people here in Chiang Mai and many other lives that she has touched. We were able to go to part of her funeral Friday night, and although it was very difficult to be at a funeral so soon after my grandfathers death, I am blessed to have gone and learned more about her life. What also touched me is that two of the songs that were sung at her funeral (in Thai of course) were also sung at my grandpas funeral; It is Well and When the Roll is Called Up Yonder.
I also wanted to say a little bit about my two grandparents that passed away this year because they have both been on my heart a lot lately.
Moie (Sarah Crites) was one of the happiest people I know. She was always so excited when we came to visit here and always had a big hug waiting. She is by far the best cook I know and Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner are not the same without her famous mashed potatoes and pies. She was a devout woman of faith who raised two great Christian men, one being my dad. She wasn't herself these last few years due to dementia but I try to remember the Moie from several years ago. The Moie with the huge smile and wonderful laugh. Right before she passed away I got to sit in the hospital and tell her what a wonderful grandma she had been through the years. She couldn't talk back at this point so she would just stare, listen to me and squeeze my hand in her own way of saying "I love you too".
Dad Dad (Curtis Martin) was one of the greatest Christians I know. He was a great man of God. Out of all my grandparents I was closest to him. We always had a special bond since I was a little girl. It also helped that he lived in Abilene with me so I was able to spend a lot of time with him these last few years at ACU. Just a few months ago he met me at Firestone to get my oil changed and then we went and got Arby's for lunch together. These are memories I'll cherish forever. He was always taking care of his girls, whether checking on our cars, taking us out to lunch or just offering a giant hug. I always had the best talks with him about my life, faith or pretty much anything I could think to talk about. He was used to listening to all his "girls" just rattle on. Up until a few months ago he took care of his own little farm, goats, sheep, dogs even miniature donkeys at times. You just couldn't keep him indoors, he just had to be doing/fixing/building something. He was also one of the funniest people I know and was always teasing me about something, whether it was a boy, my clothes and the new "trends" or just pickin at me for no reason. I truly can't put into words what an amazing man he was. I miss him like crazy and wish I could call him up and tell him all about my trip here. He knew I was doing mission work this summer and although it worried him I was going across the world, he made sure to tell me how proud he was of me. I hope through my work this summer, I can make him proud.
Robert told us that she was one of the most Christ-like people he had ever met. Malee did not make much money but needed very little. She lived a simple life and saved what little money she did have or gave much of it to the church. Everyday during her lunch break this women who was battling breast cancer on her own, would go visit this man who had been diagnosed with AIDS. She would clean his wounds and give him a sponge bath, I believe everyday. Apparently, no one even knew she did this. She did not expect anything in return nor did she publicise what she was doing. She was imply being Christ. I am floored by this woman's act of service. I think that if I was battling cancer, taking care of someone else would be the last thing on my mind. I have never heard a more clearly painted picture of Christ. I'm sure there are many more wonderful stories abut this women and I am sad to have never met her. She will live on in the hearts of people here in Chiang Mai and many other lives that she has touched. We were able to go to part of her funeral Friday night, and although it was very difficult to be at a funeral so soon after my grandfathers death, I am blessed to have gone and learned more about her life. What also touched me is that two of the songs that were sung at her funeral (in Thai of course) were also sung at my grandpas funeral; It is Well and When the Roll is Called Up Yonder.
I also wanted to say a little bit about my two grandparents that passed away this year because they have both been on my heart a lot lately.
Moie (Sarah Crites) was one of the happiest people I know. She was always so excited when we came to visit here and always had a big hug waiting. She is by far the best cook I know and Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner are not the same without her famous mashed potatoes and pies. She was a devout woman of faith who raised two great Christian men, one being my dad. She wasn't herself these last few years due to dementia but I try to remember the Moie from several years ago. The Moie with the huge smile and wonderful laugh. Right before she passed away I got to sit in the hospital and tell her what a wonderful grandma she had been through the years. She couldn't talk back at this point so she would just stare, listen to me and squeeze my hand in her own way of saying "I love you too".
Dad Dad (Curtis Martin) was one of the greatest Christians I know. He was a great man of God. Out of all my grandparents I was closest to him. We always had a special bond since I was a little girl. It also helped that he lived in Abilene with me so I was able to spend a lot of time with him these last few years at ACU. Just a few months ago he met me at Firestone to get my oil changed and then we went and got Arby's for lunch together. These are memories I'll cherish forever. He was always taking care of his girls, whether checking on our cars, taking us out to lunch or just offering a giant hug. I always had the best talks with him about my life, faith or pretty much anything I could think to talk about. He was used to listening to all his "girls" just rattle on. Up until a few months ago he took care of his own little farm, goats, sheep, dogs even miniature donkeys at times. You just couldn't keep him indoors, he just had to be doing/fixing/building something. He was also one of the funniest people I know and was always teasing me about something, whether it was a boy, my clothes and the new "trends" or just pickin at me for no reason. I truly can't put into words what an amazing man he was. I miss him like crazy and wish I could call him up and tell him all about my trip here. He knew I was doing mission work this summer and although it worried him I was going across the world, he made sure to tell me how proud he was of me. I hope through my work this summer, I can make him proud.
1 comment:
Wow again. Deep, well written stuff. Thanks for sharing it all, especially about the humble cancer victim, Malee~ blessings, Cody
Post a Comment