I don't know if I told you when you were here last year that he was in & out of the hospital and I was traveling back & forth to Philadelphia two or three times a week (every weekend). Well, he went home to Heaven on September the 17th. The death certificate read Hodgkin's disease, but it was a complication of the HIV virus.

When Russell was 5 years old, he was raped by a teenager in his neighborhood. He was told that if he told anyone, his legs would be broken and his mother would be killed. So he lived with the pain and the lifestyle that developed from it for 18 years before his mother knew about it. By then it was too late. He had already contracted the virus. He refused to let his mom tell the rest of the family because of what we would think. So we didn't know until May of last year when he went into the hospital.

He gave his life to Christ in his mid-teens and tried desperately to turn from the lifestyle he knew that God hated. But no matter how hard he tried and no matter how desperately he pleaded with his Lord, it never went away. But God allowed it - I cannot say I fully understand why. During his illness and after his death, we met so many people whose lives he touched, most of them in a positive way for Jesus. He witnessed to men everywhere, even though he didn't understand why he was unable to overcome his "thorn in the flesh."

I still don't understand the "why," but I do know that if there had been a ministry like yours in Russell's school or church or community when he was 5 or 6 or 7, perhaps his life could have been different. But then again, if his life had been different, perhaps there wouldn't be the burning desire in my heart to help you with your ministry. So I will continue to support you as God allows.

May God bless you richly every step of the way. May He lift you up on eagle's wings when days are long and tiring. And when you feel like chucking it all, please remember my nephew Russell - and all the others you have told us about in your newsletters. They need you. God has chosen you for a special purpose - and we appreciate you for answering His call.

With Love & Prayers,
Yvette

This Is A Follow-up Letter In Which She Gives Me Permission
To Share Her Letter Publicly

Dear Pastor Joe:

Yes you may share my letter, if you wish. The anger I felt when Russell died was so intense - and of course, I took it out on my God. But merciful and loving as He is, He just waited and kept touching me with His ever so gentle Spirit. The anger has subsided over the past year - there are still moments. But through it all, He has just continued to love me and reinforce that love. I hear Him ever so much more keenly now than I ever have before. So as I have always said (and am only now fully realizing myself), there is a reason for everything. God is God and we are His. Much as we question sometimes, He DOES know exactly what He is doing.

If we can continue to get the message out, then Russell will still be evangelizing - the thing he loved to do most for his Savior. I look forward to your next issue. Keep up the good work. If there is any way I can help, please let me know. God bless you!

Your Friend,
Yvette