JULY 8,1998
Page B4
— SUje ^Jortlanh (Ob sc ruer
Pain & f One ¿Mother
We, as parents, never expect to
have to make funeral arrange­
ments for our children, we all
expect that one day they will grow
up, leave the nest, and have to
come back to care for and bury us.
No matter how close we are to
God of how strong a faith we
have, death is a most devastating
pain especially when it is your
child.
The Bible refers to death as an
enemy. I found out how much ot
an enemy it really is when my son
Rahshann Stone was murdered in
February. If he were in prison 1
could write him, talk to him on
the phone, visit him.
In death I cannot do these
things. There is an impenetrable
wall between the living and dead
and I cannot cross over that wall.
Days went past I wanted to share
something with him; 1 wanted to
hear his voice again say, “Ma, 1
love you!” as he always did.
Weeks went by; I began to won­
der where he was; it had not yet
sunk in.
Easter came-silence-Mother’s
Day and Father’s Day came; they
were not complete because one
child was missing. I’ve read in
the Bible that the streets of heaven
are paved with gold and jewels
with a river that runs through it.
Yet, 1 ju st cannot imagine
¿7 / /
Rahshann being there without me
being there first to greet him.
Afterall. hadn’t I always led the
way from teaching him to walk, to
potty training, everything!
Months go past; there is pain
and emptiness in my heart that
will not go away. Emptiness
and silence has fallen upon a
house that once was a home. No
more sounds of loud music or
laughter. A lonely play station
he loved so much sits silently
gathering dust, a son he loved
dearly too young to yet fully
r u j
“ kJ .
not like when he was young at
camp or in jail-he is in God s
care now; you hurt; you are help­
less for there is nothing you can
do but pray and hope for justice
and closure, knowing anyway it
goes there will never be closure
for he’ll not be back.
There are days when there is no
comfort, no sleep, no joy. It took
one senseless act, tVie instant ot
the pull of a trigger, to change our
lives forever, and my son’s future
is forever gone.
It is my belief in God that has
taken me this far. The scripture
that comforts me is in Jeremiah
31:15,16; it says: This said the
Lord, a voice was heard in Ramah,
lamentation and bitter weeping,
Rachael weeping over her sons
refusing to be comforted for they
are no more. The Lord said. “Hold
understand, wonders where his
back you voice from weeping and
father is.
your eyes from tears for here ex­
There are memories and pain-
ists a reward for you activity and
even going to the grocery store is a
they will certainly return from the
painful reminder of a young man s
land of the enemy (death).” That
huge appetite and love ot food. It
is God’s promise that one day we
torments me to pass the aisles of
will see our loved ones again.
his favorite foods knowing he no
Meanwhile, let us strive for
longer exists except in memory and
peace
and work together to stop
in hearts.
the
violence.
The body, mind, and emotions
Dedicated to the memory of
go through dramatic changes as
Rahshann
Stone and others. Love
you struggle to accept what has
and
kisses
from earth to heaven.
happened and that your child is
All Honor To God. Peace.
never coming home again. It’s
x / f £
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‘Rev. ‘Robert ‘Kelley, T astor
“(joingTiUjJesus ‘Returns!"
T T n tro d u c iric j. - •
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C h u rch o f G o d
T. Allen Bethel
Senior Pastor
Schedule Of Services:
Sunday
9:15ain - Sunday School
10:30am - Worship Celebration
11:00am - Children’s Church
6:00pm Evening Worship
Wednesday
7:00pm - prayer and Bible Study
Friday 12:00 noon - Prayer
4222 NE 12tli Avenue
P o rtlan d , OR 97211
(503) 288-7241 Fax (503) 2881712
e-mail: inarchgotl@ travelin.coin
North Portland Bible College
" Ifs more titan ju st a Bible School
In Loving Memory o f Donna Sue Ceasar
Miss Ceaser was bom January 21, .1967, in New Orleans. She moved to Portland in
1970 and graduated from ST. Mary’s Academy and Chemkta Community College. She was
a computer programmer for the Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services and a member
of Salem Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. In 1993, she moved to Salem. On
June 19, 1998, at the age o f 31, Donna Sue died o f cancer.
Survivors include her sons, Ja-Ray T. and Kenyon D„ and Daughter, Melissa, all o f
Salem; parents, William and Betty, and brothers, Roland Brumfield, David Newman
Madison and Whardel, all o f Portland; and sisters, Eva Watts o f Fairview, Debra Osterud ot
Salem and Joyce McCallum, Brenda, Betty J. and Denise, all o f Portland.
The family suggests remembrances to the American Cancer Society or Kaiser
Hospice.
Robert James Walker
Robert James Walker was bom April 30, 1932 in Little Rock, Arkansas, he had lived in
Portland since 1956 where he worked as a trainer at the Portland Habilitation C enter He
married Frances in January o f 1964. Robert loved fishing and sports. On June 30, 1998
Robert lost his battle with cancer. His survivors include;
Frances Walker, Wife
Kymberly Burell, Daughter
Angelia Washington, Daughter
Robert J. Walker, Jr., Son all of Portland, Oregon
Jasper Walker, Brother; Fordyce, Arkansas
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Are you looking for continuing education workshops, to equip you tor
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LaChelle Renea Banks
LaChelle Renea Banks-Brown was bom September 2,1970
in Los Angeles, California. In 1980, her family moved to
Portland; where she attended Ockley Green Grade School
and Jefferson High School. She married Amell W. Brown
in July o f 1992. She loved music and dancing. On June 6,
1998 LaChelle was shot by another person and died at the
age o f 27. The following people will carry her in their
hearts-
¥)ii have enough smarts to rebuild an engine.
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Arnell W. Brown, Husband
'Promise 'Keepers
'Returns 'To 'Tupene
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'Promise 'Keepers I t v ’c a Tepacy" M e n s Confer­
ence. 'Trfoay 6
Saturday. July 31 ani Nupust I.
1998 at N utzen Ötabium
For the first time, in 1998 there
is no fee, but registration is
strongly recommended to ensure
seating. Bill McCartney, Promise
Keepers Founder and CEO,
announced the elimination of
admission fees at Stand in the Gap,
a Sacred Assembly of Men held on
the Washington, DC Mall last
October 4. “We want guys to be
able to bring their friends to the
men’s conferences," said
McCartney “We’re excited about
sharing ways men can impact their
world, their church, and their
families. In 1998, no man should
miss out.”
Registration for the events can
be done by calling 800-888-7596,
for Spanish 800-203-1564 and for
TYY 800-769-6855. Men are
asked to register in order to ensure
seating at conference sites, and to
assist the ministry in planning.
During the registration process,
meals and worship tapes will be
offered for sale.
Promise Keepers is an interna­
tional men’s ministry that is
dedicated to uniting men in vital
relationships to become godly
influences in their world.
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