IN LOVING MEMORY

OF

MARK BOWDEN GRINGS

Mark Bowdan Grings, was born the 6 May 1931, Lake City, Florida, United States of America, and passed away on the 13 June 2008, Johannesburg, South Africa.

He is survived by his wife Wyla, daughter Esther Joy and grandchildren Joshua, Cherith, Jordan, Jeremy and Chelsea and Chaylee, his brother, Robert Grings,  sisters, Elisabeth  (Bessie Grings) Gander and Louise (Grings) Champlin.

He was a Missionary/Pastor for over 50 years in the Congo and South Africa, a man of integrity and passion for serving His Lord. He produced a daily radio program to the Congo, called “News of Life” for the past 33 years. He is dearly missed.

Family matters:

So much has happened in our lives in such a short time.  The absence of our father and husband has left a big gap in our lives.  Wyla and Esther shed tears often, but thankfully, they are not of regret or a sorrow without hope!  We miss his physical presence terribly and see him in everything around us, but we are BLESSED to see him in the “fruits” of his service for his Lord; the lives that are going on for the Lord, the ministries that continue on to the glory of our Lord.

We have been BLESSED through all of you who have conveyed your love and prayer support to us through letters, e-mail, phone calls and visits.  Love and prayers have come to us from all over the world.  THANK YOU SOO MUCH.  Esther’s father touched many lives across this globe, and how we praise the Lord for the testimony of his 77 year journey on this earth, how he diligently sought to reach the world for Christ in everything he did.  Esther’s mother wants us to convey to all of you how much she appreciates all the love and prayers and concern showered upon us.  Her Alzheimer’s prevents her from being able to express herself through letters as she really would like too.

We know many of you have questions, and we appreciate your patience with us during this time as there has been so much to do, and adjustments to be made. To answer a few, we will be keeping Mark’s email address active so that you can email Wyla, and please do continue!  Although she struggles with her ability to remember, she asks daily for news, and Mark was so good at printing and reading letters to her on a daily basis.

The Staitgate Church has agreed to continue handling funds for Wyla, and also a “Mark Grings Radio Trust” to help keep the “Nsango Na Bomoi” on the air. I (Robert) will assume the responsibilities for the radio program. We trust that you will continue supporting the radio ministry. You can also send your finance for the radio through Independent Faith Mission, earmarked “Radio program Congo”.   The radio program cost Mark $110.00 a day. It is paid up till the end of August and we are trusting the Lord to provide the finances for the months to come. We as a family have also planned to take our furlough/deputation April 2009. For the past 3 years we have been years averaging 78% of our needed support. Do pray that the Lord will provide for this short-fall, and for the added ministry needs.

In going to Congo, Esther and I had always agreed that should the time come, if and when her parents should need us, in honoring them we would return to be here, in whatever capacity needed.  Knowing Mark like we all do, even in hospital when very sick, he would not actually ask us to return to help.  He would not want to call a missionary away from the Congo!  Esther was only able to visit with her dad 3 times, but during the last time, when he seemed concerned, she told her dad that we were here and available to care for either both of them or should he pass on her mom.  Esther saw the relief in his eyes as she knew he was deeply concerned about Wyla and who would care for her needs.  He was one of the most tender, and caring companions, and Esther and I going to find it hard to fill that vacancy for her mom.  As I write this today,  Wyla is really having a hard day and there are many tears.  Do pray for her emotional and physical strength for the days ahead!  Her deep spiritual grounding shines through in these rough times as she quotes scripture or sings hymns to strengthen herself in the Lord.

As a family we of course are going through so much change so suddenly.  Esther is on a blood thinner and goes in weekly for blood tests, but otherwise is feeling fine.  We are going through the adjustments of making a small house big enough to fit our family.  Cleaning out a couple rooms in order to make bedrooms is one of the jobs, and this moving of things is a little upsetting to Wyla.  Do pray for her too in these adjustments that need to be made in order to care for her and accommodate our family.  There is also a lot of repair work needed on the house. The Lord is working out things in the Congo for us.  We are so thankful for our family Lee and Becky Ward as they have handled things in my absence.  Our family and co-workers the Dan Grings will be moving into our home, and thus taking over the rent on our house there on their return in Sep. as well as the other ministries.  

All, I can say is we will appreciate your prayers for the next months as we seek the Lord’s grace and guidance.  For now we are in South Africa, and am preaching and teaching in the church here as well as the Radio programs.  I’ll be making a trip to Kinshasa on 28 June 2008, and then on to the States for a very short trip, then back to Congo, and will return to South Africa some time after 5 September.

In Christ,

Robert and Esther Marsh, along with Wyla.