Jewels

Zechariah 9:16-17 "They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. How attractive and beautiful they will be!"

A childhood song:

"When he cometh, when he cometh

To take up his jewels,

All the pure ones, all the fair ones,

His loved and his own.

Like the stars of the morning,

His bright crown adorning

They shall shine in their beauty,

Bright gems for his crown."

What a comfort to think that our loved ones are those pure and fair jewels, beautiful because of Jesus, certainly "his loved and his own."

Help

The outpouring of love, prayers, kindness and care have touched us more than you will ever know. The pain is deep and foreign to us but God is deeper and greater than it all. So many, many of you have contacted us to ask how to help us. We need your continued encouragement and especially your prayers! The costs involved are staggering due to all the details. As hard as it is for me to ask, we need your help financially. To give a tax deductible gift you can give via our secure website ( www.africaschild.info ).

Click the "Giving" link and fill out the information for "Murphy fund" and put "Funeral" in the "Note" box, or send your tax deductible check with a memo to:

Africa's Child
415 E. Lakewood Blvd
Holland, MI 
49424

love, Aunt Evie

Today our family grieves the sudden and unexpected death of my 10 yr old grand niece, Christianna Joy. During all of her young years we marveled at her beautiful loving heart, her smile and fun spirit that brought out the best in anyone who would play with her. She fully lived out her name of being Christ-Joy. Her family are serving as missionaries in Zambia, Christa (Wierks-my niece) and Rob Murphy. The parents and each of the 6 children give their all in loving the babies. Our hearts break as we begin to take in that this day is our good bye to this precious angel.

A portrait of joy-filled Christianna Murphy.

Door

“Death opens a door out of a little, dark room (that's all the life we have known before it) into a great, real place where the true sun shines and we shall meet.” - C. S. Lewis // Till We Have Faces

Posted by our dear friend, Torri, who is as crazy and in love with Jesus as our dear Christianna.  See this photo for proof!

Weight of glory

"We know not what we shall be"; but we may be sure we shall be more, not less, than we were on earth. Our natural experiences (sensory, emotional, imaginative) are only like the drawing, like penciled lines on flat paper. 

If they vanish in the risen life, they will only vanish as pencil lines vanish from the real landscape, not as a candle flame that is put out but as a candle flame which becomes invisible because someone has pulled up the blind, thrown open the shutters, and let in the blaze of the risen sun.

- C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

love, Aunt Rebecca

Our niece, Christianna, died this week unexpectedly. She was 10 years old. One moment she was playing outside with her sisters, and the next moment she was unresponsive. Her life was so precious and beautiful. And it feels too short.

The last time we saw Christianna was when she came to the hospital to visit Josiah as a newborn. The next day she left for Africa, where she has been with her family until now. Josiah will never get to really know her.

When I became part of Carl's family, Christianna was just a baby, and I always felt a special bond with her. She was easy to connect with...a peaceful, serene spirit. Here's a sweet little picture of her as a toddler. She was so cute and free and fun. 

 Ella and Collette will miss her, as she has always been very natural and loving with people, including our girls. Christianna could somehow seem to stay centered and Joyful no matter what chaos was going on around her! (She's the top right in this picture, sitting next to Collette.)

I remember her loving roller blading, swimming, ballet, creating crafty things like jewelry, and I had the honor of teaching her piano for a year before she moved to Africa. She and I had fun together at the piano each week, singing, playing and exploring music together. It's hard to imagine her sweet little fingers, that moved so easily around the keys, now still. It's hard to imagine her sweet little voice and giggles now quiet. It's hard to imagine her sweet, special spirit not in our presence.

Oh, Christianna Joy, you precious, beautiful girl. We will miss you so much. You were such a gift.

Memorial service

Today we had a beautiful memorial service at the orphanage for our Christianna Joy.  It was perfect for her - outside under a large tree, filled with flowers, songs of praise.  Our dear friends and family shared words to help us describe what we find hard to describe.  

It was a day I didn't want to happen.  And this morning when I woke up, I found it unbearable to think of going to that same place where we had been for other burials of babies we had loved, and to see my own daughter's name on the headstone.   i kept crying out and saying "no, Lord, no."  But in my grief, I found hope.  And we saw the name of Jesus lifted high, and the hope of heaven brought closer.  Tonight my Acacia went to sleep speaking of her longing for heaven to be with her Lord, but resolved to seek Jesus and do what He has for her until that time.  Amen and amen.

As her mother, this is what I shared:

"Christianna.  I love to say her name.  Even now I will say it in the morning and listen for that sweet voice saying “I love you, Mama” with a smile as I kiss her forehead and hug her to my chest.  Her full name is Christianna Joy and we often called her that because of how it so truly reflects who she is.  A joyful follower of Christ.  To me as her mother, and to her family, and to many of you, she is the fragrance of Christ.  A sweet smelling aroma, filling wherever she goes with kindness, beauty, and service to others.  There are no words to ever be able to describe the pain of losing her from this earth, just as there are no words to describe the joy that she was to us for the time God gave us.   I miss hearing her call “Mama” as she showed me her latest creation, or to listen to her song on the piano, or watching her play blocks with Joshua or hearing her laughter as she ran and played outside.  I miss the promise of new memories made with her as she learns to love a new baby or climb a new tree.  I pray I may never forget the love that shined from her eyes to all she came across, because it was from a heart that loved her Jesus.  Often times she would doodle, or write little notes, and there were three things she would write: “I love Zambia, I love Mommy Daddy, I love Jesus.”  Those were her outflowings in life, and she was content to find joy in where her Savior had planted her.  

On Wednesday as we were visiting the children here, Christianna said “mommy, mommy, come see this rainbow!” and we looked and saw a brilliant rainbow over the Haven.  Christianna said to Acacia “I want to fly on that rainbow!”.  Just after her passing from this earth Acacia saw a rainbow over our home.  She was now flying on her rainbow.  We cry and mourn, but do not despair.  For the reality of heaven is closer to us now, the presence of our Savior is all that we have, and He will never forsake us.  I can trust my Jesus because He is good and true and pure and Holy.  When I look to this world and my life and its losses, they are incomprehensible.  When I look to God’s word and His truth, there is peace.  One of my first thoughts just after we stopped resuscitating Christianna’s body was “in this world there are many sorrows.”  It is true.  But Jesus said Take heart, for I have overcome the world.  

I am again faced with a choice.  I can trust Jesus or I can trust my own understanding.  If I say I trust Jesus, I have to trust Him with everything.  His word doesn’t give options in that .  It is not really about Christianna.  She is dancing with Jesus.  She is more beautiful and alive than she has ever been.  It’s about my relationship with my Lord.  He wants me to lean into Him, to love Him above all, and to look to Him for each moment of every day.  Then there is true joy.  As you remember our Christianna Joy today, may you turn to Jesus and know of His love for you, the joy in worshiping Him, and the peace of walking with Him.  "

We continue to seek your prayers as we grieve and mourn deeply, while leaning into our blessed Jesus.  

love, Christa for the family