Tribute to Linda

• This morning I awoke to the sad news that Heidi’s mom, Linda, had passed away.
  Linda was in a hospital in Germany and appears to have died peacefully during her sleep. We had been hopefully that she would be home for Christmas – but not in this way. Heidi’s brother, Eric, was with her during the past two weeks.
  
  A lot more will be said about her in the future, but for now I wanted to express the following highlights of her remarkable
  
  She loved God and people as much as any person I have ever met.
  She courageously served on the mission field with Open Doors Ministries and Operation Mobilization during the Cold War while raising three small children (Heidi has a passport from when she was six and it is stamped with the nations all over Europe, the Middle East, and Asia). Much of this time was spent smuggling Bibles into “closed” countries.
  She and her husband pioneered Northwest Faith Center in Eugene, Oregon.
  She travelled the world as a missionary.
  She shared Jesus freely and boldly wherever she went.
  Her three children are all serving the Lord as leaders in the Church (Eric, Shaun and Heidi)
  She lived in Israel for a majority of the last couple years of her life.
  
  It is true of her: “And they admitted they were aliens and strangers on earth…longing for a better country – a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:13-16

Thank-you for your prayers. A memorial will be planned sometime down the road.

Hello all -

Thank you for your prayers and concerns over the past few weeks. One of my mother's closest friends passed away within hours of her death and I think they are probably dancing and singing together in the streets of gold. The following gives a little information on her final days.

LINDA WILSON June 16, 1949 -- Dec. 15, 2008 Linda Wilson was a a faithful servant of the Lord, and a traveler to over one hundred countries. She is survived by her three children - Eric, Heidi and Shaun; along with their spouses - Carolyn, Matt and Jade; grandchildren - Alicia, Cassie, Kelsey, Levi, Jackie and River. Linda Wilson had struggled with some health issues over the past few years. This week, after a heart attack in late November, she passed away quietly and peacefully, telling her son, Eric, that she was tired, ready to go to sleep, and she wanted to be with Jesus. She was visiting friends in Germany when the heart attack happened. These friends, Henk and Irene Wolthaus, had known her for over three decades and were incredibly supportive in the whole process. Linda was revived three times ("I have resurrection life!" she said a few days later). But the heart was still weak. After coming out of this experience with mind and personality intact, she spent many hours talking to her son and even sharing a few phone calls with family. She was full of joy and making jokes to the end. She was laid to rest with a pink rose in her hands. With all the details to take care of, and the complications of international law, the date for a memorial service is not yet set. The family is actually considering a service for her in the months to come so that many will be able to share in the joy, sorrow, and overall celebration of all God has done through her. We will keep you updated. May the Lord be with you all in this time of celebrating His birth and sharing with loved ones.

Please feel free to forward this to anyone who knew her. I apologize for all of us for any lack of communications over the past month. Thank you again for all of your prayers and support.

Blessings,Eric Wilson, Shaun Wilson, and Heidi S. Messner