Sunday, March 21, 2021 11:53 AM

   Hi! I've asked you to pray for my friend Richard in the past and now, it seems that his journey in this life is rapidly coming to a close!    I've wanted to tell you about this 'champion for life', for a while now. After receiving a message that he is deteriorating quickly, I felt called, to give you a picture of who I know him to be.

   I call my friend Richard a champion, because of the great courage, perseverance, patience and enthusiasm he has exhibited over the 8 or more years that I have been privileged to journey with him. He is definitely a mentor and source of comfort to me, in my journey through cancer, by his example alone. 

  I first met Richard when he came to Luke 15 (recovery) House as a client/resident. After many years of drug addiction, he credited his decision to work hard at recovery, to his young teenage daughter, who set before him the choice of getting clean, or living a life that would not include a father / daughter relationship. Fast forward to one year later… Richard after 12 months of continually becoming the beautiful man God created him to be, became a staff member, working with the men. 

  What I have witnessed in Richard with these 'Prodigal Sons' are the gifts he has been given to be a fair, loving and firm leader. The 'guys' know his story, including the fact that he's battled cancer for the past three years. His example of gratitude, courage and surrender to God's will is a powerful witness.  

  About five years ago Richard joined the church and has been lovingly embraced by our Church community. He

has expressed the strength and peace his life has had because of his close relationship with God.

   A great challenge for Richard has been that his wife of four years (in the Philippines),has not been able to come to Canada due to immigration restrictions. He has been fortunate to have gone twice a year since their wedding. He has found peace, in surrendering to that sacrifice. 

  Each of us has burdens in our life, some put on us by others, while some, we have brought on ourselves.  Richard has always demonstrated how forgiveness is so essential to a life of peace & happiness. "Don't stay stuck!" he'd say, and work hard to not stay imprisoned by those memories and feelings that keep us from freely moving forward, to experience a life of peace and joy!

  "God bless you Richard with continued grace as your journey at the close of this life. May God's grace surround your beautiful wife, daughters, mother and many people who have journeyed with you. And may God fill your heart, mind and spirit with only love and goodness, as you prepare to meet Him!" Amen