Curry Family News: Term 3 Letter 43

During these last few weeks God has comforted me many times through music. I will begin this letter with one of my favorites.

On February 19, Homer and I visited his mother in the morning, then drove down to Debbie's parents' house to drop off our boys for a few days to spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa Webb. We stopped to visit Mom Curry again in the evening. Her breathing was shallow and labored. Homer had been reading the gospel of John to her and read the final chapters that evening along with the first chapter of Acts to complete the story. He talked to her about Jesus and the salvation that she had accepted and was awaiting her. He talked about Heaven. When we left that evening Homer mentioned that he wasn't sure she would be with us in the morning.

On February 20, 2007, we arrived at the Nursing Facility about 10:15 am and immediately noticed we couldn't hear Mom breathing. Homer checked for pulse and then we called for a nurse who confirmed that she had just died. She was still warm and had a natural color. She was dressed and freshly turned and propped. Apparently it hadn't been long. The time noted on the death certificate was 10:30.

That day was a blur for me: Calling family, going to the mortuary, sitting and crying. I was grateful that our boys were not with us that day. Homer and I offered to help where ever we could. Since we didn't have a job to go to, we were able to help with calling friends, and arranging for the Memorial Service. Whenever I had a moment of quiet (which was usually in the bathroom) my heart returned to the song above, "Oh God, You are my God, and I will ever praise You." God gave comfort through that song, comfort that He was leading, and that all I needed to do was follow.

The following 10 days were very busy and difficult. We continued to do lots of phone calling, make preparations for the Memorial Service and also pack up Mom's furniture, personal items and everything in the house. Homer's brothers Leroy, Ken and Gerald all came over Saturday night to be together and get started packing things up. Mom's neighbor, Annabel, came over often with comfort and help. In the middle of the last week Homer's brother Gary, his wife Rhonda and their children Katelynn and Justin came down to help us. That was very nice for all of us. Their kids are very close to Jared and Caleb in age and the cousins had a good time together. Mom's Pastor Larre Kostenko was a big help in getting the Memorial Service together.

Sabbath afternoon, March 3, many of our family and friends gathered at the Sutter Hill SDA church for the Memorial Service for Maeci Lu Curry. Gary presented a Life Sketch, an overview of Mom's life, with interesting stories, songs and pictures. The songs were sung by the Zimmerman family of the Sutter Hill church. Leroy, the oldest son, gave a touching tribute from the family, followed by Homer giving a tribute in music (Raindrops Prelude by Chopin). Mom had really loved to listen to Homer play the piano. Katelynn (grandchild) played a song on her flute that Grandma used to love to listen to. Jared (grandchild) read John 11:25 and Pastor Wayne Young encouraged us to trust that "Joy Comes in the morning". We closed with a congregational hymn, "When the Roll is Called up Yonder." After the benediction, the organist played, "We Have this Hope" by Wayne Hooper -- a song of hope and glory. The Sutter Hill church was so gracious to us, providing a potluck lunch for those who arrived early as well as a supper after the service. It was a beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman.

That evening the family gathered at Ken's (2nd-to-oldest brother) home to just be together and share memories and hopes for the future.

Sunday morning we completed the last of the packing, loading up 2 trailers, and took them down to Debbie's parents' new home in Waterford. We will be keeping most of Mom's furniture, linens and household items to start up our home when we return to the USA. It was really hard to say goodbye to our Curry family.

We had just 1 day in Modesto with Debbie's parents before my Uncle David came to pick us up at 3:00 am on Tuesday for the trip back to Mali. We had 3 flights covering about 48 hours including a layover in Casablanca, Morocco of about 15 hours. In New York we had a short walk between terminals that nearly froze us. It was 20 degrees outside and we had light jackets. Morocco, however, had lovely weather in the 60s. Thankfully, Royal Air Maroc provides hotel accommodations and meals for those, like us, with long layovers so we were able to get a shower, sleep in a bed, take a walk, and eat a couple of meals while waiting for the next flight. When we arrived in Bamako, Mali at 2:30 am the weather was delightful - about 85 degrees. We were able to collect all of our luggage (we praise God for that) and find a taxi to the guest house. We slept until noon, bought a new battery for the truck, changed a tire, did a little shopping and slept again that night. We immediately observed that Mali is still dirty. Friday we took the 8-hour drive from Bamako to Kadiolo, arriving around 4 pm, exhausted but content and happy to be home. Jason and Ashley were both at the house to meet us, and they had prepared supper for us. We were able to unpack most of our stuff and enjoy a Sabbath rest!!!

During our long trip, God provided a few opportunities for service that brought joy. One lady from Bamako was returning from a 3-month visit to New York with her approximately 2-week old infant. She had a baby carrier and a large shopping bag of personal items -- which was too much for her to handle alone. It was a joy to be able to help. Another women had picked up her luggage in Morocco and needed to check in her 2 large suitcases and a box. We were able to help her as well. There were 2 or 3 single men who also helped these 2 ladies navigate the transit and airport. I don't think any of them knew each other before. I couldn't help wondering, would these ladies have received help in the US?

Sabbath was blessed rest! We came together for worship at 11:00 with Jason, Ashely and Dennis. After a pasta lunch, we visited and got started getting caught up. What a joy to lay the work aside and enjoy God's rest.

And that catches us up to today, Sunday. The Radio Folona group, who is recording BLS French, came by to "greet" us after the loss of Homer's Mom. While they were still here a delegation from the SM's host family came, also to "greet" us in sympathy. We learned something new about the culture -- Normally when someone comes to greet you, it's polite to walk them to the door and a part of the way home. But if they greet in sympathy for a lost loved one, you don't walk them out. Apparently it has to do with leaving their blessing in our courtyard.

Our boys were happy to reunite with Ben and Caleb Seward -- kids in the other missionary family here. They also demonstrated some toys that Jason had received from home to the local kids. They had a grand time flying helicopter-like saucers and hitting punch balls. The boys, especially, are glad to be home.

Until next time, remember, "We have this hope that burns within our hearts, hope in the coming of the Lord!"

Family Walk along the beach with Jared, Vicki, Arlene, Caleb, Xander	The kids stop briefly for a photo at Emily's 13th birthday celebration.	Kerrie, Debbie, Renee and Pam stop for a picture near the end of Emily's 13th birthday celebration.
Jared takes Daddy for a ride on the Quad on Uncle Ken's ranch.	Caleb drives the quad with Daddy at Uncle Ken's Ranch.	Caleb learns to drive the lawnmower at Uncle Ken's Ranch.
Moving Homer's piano out of Mom's house.	The movers gently ease Homer's Kawaii piano out of the house and down the stairs.	Daffodils behind Ken Curry's house
	A Royal Air Maroc airplane, from the airport in Casa Blanca