God is in CONTROL

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Ron -- (rolling the R with force and gusto)





Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.  Psalm 116:15

I think of so many things when I think of Ron Butler White
This is one of my favorites.  Ron agreed to be Moses during an Exodus study for our Family Alltogethers.

ROCK -- is a name that comes to mind -- it fits

Strong and  Foundational, maybe even stubborn --

Unmoveable in principles and ideas --Always if it involved truth and honesty - and definitely choosing to follow Jesus way.

Able to withstand the test of many hard times



He has been such an integral part of the beginning of Life Park Christian Fellowship.  

I remember those meetings of Shepherds when he would come forth with something strong and definite as he rubbed his balding head.




A precious conversation in early 2008 we had with Ron and Carol when they encouraged us to stay the course and plan God had placed on Terry's heart, us walking together as a team to accomplish the ministry and mission we felt God had laid out for this church family.
Ron was at every fellowship and even his shirts revealed what his life stood for- settling a Church on this property was so important to him.  I remember when we were celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles and how his group's shelter was clearly the best!

We know of only his later ministries -- the 20 years we were with him as Church family: Ministry to:
>  men released from prison -- how he had people pick them up and bring them to Life Park in the shopping center.  Every Saturday calling these men

>his TCC classes in religion that were always packed
He liked to counter any discussion -- I think to keep it more interesting -- that wasn't just in his classroom, either
>teaching GED classes
>even substitute teaching high school
>housing people who were trying to get on their feet or new to this country.

Ron was always a person who saw ministry to be done and tried to enlist others in the calling.  I remember how he would tap shoulders and say -- you need to .... or you should go up talk to that person --




He was an organizer and believed strongly in committees.  He always had a way he thought things could work.  When he and Terry would visit --even at the hospital -- he would have a plan for how he believed a certain  committee could get ministry done more effectively. The growth of the Church was always forefront in his mind.  His mind stayed sharp until the end.

Following Jesus -- answering this call on his life spanned the 88 years he lived.  

Growing up in an orphanage in India, later attending seminary - he and a fellow student learned of baptism and decided they needed to baptize each other.   

He was a power house in his early years serving as a Methodist Bishop in ministries in India, Singapore, Malaysia, Austrailia and America.








His conversations about Jesus revealed that as this old servant aged - his Master became even dearer and nearer to him.


Ron loved his family . . . 














Ron was blessed to have 3 of his four children, Paul, Janice and Sharon together with him in the past 3 weeks -- and he's home now his fourth precious daughter, Lynette.





Ron and Carol have built an international family.




Old and young -- his kids and Carol's kids -- they were all his!




Grandkids were especially near and dear to him




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 So many of the grandchildren have come here to honor their papa in the last 2 1/2 years of his declining health.

Until his early 80's Ron would make regular trips to visit his children across the globe and enjoyed his time with each and every one of them.
His faith is a legacy he has left to each of them as they have come to know Jesus.  
Praying with and for them was especially important to him.  





I'm told he was even able to say a blessing over Dylan and Haiden's baby in the womb early this past week. 

Tynleigh has been such a sweet little caregiver for her Pappa.  Her favorite thing has been to bring him drinks and make videos of him -- she even made made up songs to him.

The other day she asked her great g'ma why Papa had to go be with Jesus - 
Carol asked her don't you think they will have a great time together --
To which she responeded, "Oh, yeah"!
As he progressed his life's journey - the more dear and precious the Communion service meant to him.   He's enjoying that Supper of the Lamb -- the Holy Eucharist as he called it now.

Last weekend when Terry was at his bedside, Ron gave him a blessing as he'd never done before, these two friends who used to argue about who would preach whose memorial service.  These two friends who could sometimes be frank with each other. . . but still honored each other as a close friend. 

On Monday night as we read verses, Terry would intentionally leave one out and he'd finish it.  We sang his favorite songs and this old soldier joined in.  









By Tuesday, his words were gone -- but he was able to give strong hugs to his returning Marine, Dylan.



But now to you, Carol, whom he called "Dahling" - you have been his constant caregiver, support, lover, nurse, helpmate -- this family you have built together, will continue to look to you as their matriarch with your laugh and nurture and the love you pour forth to all of them-- these children here and and across the globe -- love you and will stay connected through the lifeline you have built over the many miles.

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