From Dan McTavish:

Romania

John Lynn's passing, a PAOC missionary in Africa for 43 years, has affected Mardie and I deeply this week as we value the influence he has had on our lives.

During the two weeks I stayed with Brother and Sister Lynn in Mombasa when I was a young twenty-one year old, he took us to mud and manure churches among the Masai, where we ate matoki and pochu with our fingers. We prayed with the Masai, worked among them and then when Brother Lynn was baptizing people in the Indian Ocean, how I wanted to be out there with him, helping him.

Brother and Sister Lynn's influence helped to make me a missionary as well. I wanted to follow their example and do the things they were doing. He opened my eyes to see and do things for the Lord in God's great Kingdom. This huge cause goes on. God's purposes and destiny are what we still seek. Attached is our latest letter with some of the recent happenings. Thank you for standing with us in the place of ministry that God has called us to.

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From Alex & Janet Strong:

Pakistan

Dear Edna & Family,

Heard today of Jacks passing to be with his Saviour. Jacks Passion and Commitment to Missions is eternally recorded in our hearts.Thanks for being a Mentor to us when we were young missionaries.Jack will always be our Hero.At this time, Edna, we are praying for you.

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From Elsie & Hellmut Mascher:

Kenya

Dear Edna and Family,

Yes, even we have received the news of John's passing here in Kenya, not from one of our missionary family alone but from several-and from other friends besides.

When we first arrived in Nyang'ori Mission (in 1961), to help in school work there, we found John and Edna with their open hearts taking us under their wings. Their advice and the experiences which they related to us were very important and welcome to us. In those days we were a very closely knit missionary family, visiting back and forth and having pretty well "all things in common". Those were wonderful days which we still remember with appreciation.

Then later, our ways parted. John and Edna went to Thika to minister to the Kukuyu and we to Narok to do the same among the Masai. I remember especially how John one day came too close to one of Kenyatta's "Tea Parties" (secret initiation ceremonies), how he was attacked and had his arm broken. But by the Lord's intervention his life was spared. Yes, there were many and diverse costs involved in missions work, there was pain, heartache, disappointments and loss-and there still is as we just found out afresh in Naivasha. But just then, when it seems darkest, the light of the Lord's presence shines brightest. How often have we all found out that the Lord intervenes, protects and strengthens in the days of trouble! So I greet you in this difficult time with a Scripture which we all have personally tested and found to be true:

Ps 62:7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

For years we had wished to meet with you again and to compare notes about the wonderful (and hard) years we had in ministry at home and on the mission field. But it is not to be in this reality. So, we shall defer that meeting for when we meet again on high.

Ps 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.