Karen's Homegoing
During the last month Karen had awakened from a long coma to the extent that she recognized us all. She could follow us with her eyes and she could mouth words with her lips -- whether in English or Hebrew or Finnish or even Russian. She also gave us beautiful smiles. She could be taken outside to enjoy nature. The day before, her brother Daniel had spent hours with her. He took her in her wheelchair up on the roof to watch passing airplanes. He took her out in the garden on ground level to see the flowers. They smiled together as he flipped the pages of a large album of childhood pictures. About 3 a.m., she slipped away suddenly and unexpectedly in a Tel Aviv rehabilitation center because of a blood clot in the lungs. When we arrived from Jerusalem an hour later, we could see a heavenly beauty and peace on her face. As the whole immediate family gathered around, the peace of her face communicated to us that she was in a much better place. Some eighty of Karen's friends gathered the same evening at Pastor Kopp's home to comfort the family. Karen's sister, Shiri, said that the Lord Jesus must have passed by, and Karen convinced Him that she wanted to come Home. Karen's level of awareness and communication during the last month was a clear answer to many prayers around the world; the extent of her mental recovery was miraculous even to the hospital staff. During this time she could sense the tremendous outpouring of love of the many faithful friends who came to spend hours at a time beside her bed. They claimed it was a privilege to be there, since they sensed the presence of the Lord. This was a time of grace as Karen was restored spiritually and psychologically as she sensed God's forgiveness and love. Her Homegoing is also an experience of grace. We stood by her bed in the trust and confidence that God loves her and us. We feel acutely the personal loss of our precious daughter Karen, but we trust God's wisdom and love in taking her home. Karen was not attached to the things of this world; she needed very little for herself, and was very generous with what she had. She did not feel that this world was her home. She is now in a better place. "The Lord gives and the Lord takes. May His Name be praised." This Biblical prayer is very real to all of us family, and we are happy for the time we had with her. Without realizing that these would be her last words to Karen, Mirja had said goodbye on her previous visit by saying, "We love you so much, Karen". That last evening a faithful childhood friend had visited Karen for about the 33rd time. (In Jerusalem over 40 people had been in the cycle of an almost constant presence at her bedside, a presence of talking, praying, singing, and reading Scriptures -- also when Karen was yet in coma the first three months since Oct. 7, '99.) She had prayed aloud for an alert Karen: "May you experience joy and peace. May you wake up to joy tomorrow morning." Who are we to argue with God's answer to such a prayer? Karen's own last words, which she mouthed with her lips, were, "Good Morning" in Russian to a loving Russian Jewish nurse who had stood by her bed moments before her death. This same nurse told us, "In thirty years of nursing I have rarely been so attached to a patient. I love Karen." Many people loved Karen and experienced Karen as a friend who really cared about their deepest hurts and feelings. Deep loss is felt. Karen was a social worker in Jerusalem. Her heart was with those who suffered. Karen was sensitive to suffering people whether physically, emotionally or spiritually, whether Jew or Arab. She was especially attentive to the Ethiopian immigrants. She loved her work. She dearly loved the people with whom she worked. Since she has departed early, her ministry is incomplete. Accordingly, we are establishing a "Karen Fund". There is a tremendous need for Christian/Biblical counseling for those who suffer in this stressful land. The beginning of this work would be to sponsor pastoral care conferences. So far only a few such conferences have been held with the volunteer help of experienced staff from Wheaton College or from the Minirth-Meier New Life Clinics. This work should continue and grow by providing support for hurting people so they can attend such meetings to receive the emotional and spiritual healing so desperately needed. Lives can be saved and restored. The further aim would be eventually to establish a Biblical counseling center for believers in Israel. No such center exists in the whole land of Israel and the need is great. (Those interested should inquire about details.) MAY GOD PROFOUNDLY BLESS ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN SUCH BLESSING TO US THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS THESE LAST FIVE MONTHS. These have been the most difficult days of our lives, but also the most blessed because of you all. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Karen's funeral is to be held 10 a.m., this Friday, March 10th, 2000, at the Yad HaShemona settlement west of Jerusalem. She will be buried near her grandparents who served in Israel for fifty years.
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