Re: Final update on Mary Atkinson 20060420

Dear Friends,
Mary Atkinson passed away early Tuesday afternoon after a 3 month illness
with cancer.  As I said before the cancer was so advanced that all they
could do was to slow its progress by radiation and chemo therapy.  The
treatment also gave her some measure of comfort.  For a while she seemed
better but this was only temporary.  She did suffer some pain in the later
stages of her illness but pain medication helped her to bear it.  It was a
blessing that she didn抰 linger on in that condition.  As she approached
death抯 door she passed on peacefully.
She found comfort in the promise of a future life that would be free of pain
in heaven.  The Bible promise reads:  揘ow the dwelling of God is with men,
and he will dwell with them.  They will be his people, and God himself will
be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes.
There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order
of things has passed away?
There are two charities that friends in America are contributing to in her
honor.  One is the 揅hina Now?fund that will help support teachers who want
to come to China to teach.  The second charity is Providence Hospice that
cared for her so tenderly in our home to the very last.
Certainly I will miss her very much even as you do.  But I know that in a
few years I will join her in the next life.   So as the Bible says, I 搘on抰
have to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.?
Mary loves you very much and wishes the very best for you and desires that
you have the same hope that she is now enjoying.
We both love you,
Tom writing for Mary