Saturday, December 29, 2007

More on William MacDonald's passing

From one of William MacDonald's friends:

"Some of our readers have asked whether Bill was alone. The simple answer is that Bill was seldom alone during the last two weeks.The question, I believe, has to do with his final day. Let me tell you that there was a continuous outpouring of love and affection shown to Bill throughout his final trial. And it would be difficult to recall all the individuals who visited, read to him, prayed with him, sat with him and cared for him.

In addition there were numerous letters, emails and cards that came and were read to him during his sickness. During the last 24 hours of his life he had someone (and often many) by his side. Rather than naming names, let me tell of some of the events.

A group of us gathered early in the morning just to hold his hand, to read the Christmas story and to softly sing and pray. Bill was still able to respond with a simple nod of his head or by opening his eyes or by squeezing the hand of the one holding his hand. He was alert enough to understand what was happening and who was there.

Several close friends gathered in the early afternoon to read, to pray and to say "see you soon." Bill was still responsive but was drifting in and out of consciousness.

Some believers read the afternoon update and quickly traveled to the hospital to be with Bill and stayed until he went home to be with the Lord. At 3 p.m. I spoke with him to let him know some guests had arrived. There was no longer any facial response, but he squeezed my hand for the last time.

More friends gathered around 6 p.m. and read, and prayed and sang "It Is Well With My Soul." We believe Bill heard and sang the song with us in his heart even though his body was shutting down. He seemed to be at peace.

Friends came and went throughout the early evening. The Lord even provided a charge nurse for the evening shift who is a believer, whom Bill knows and who took care of his stepmother many years ago. It was just one of so many kindnesses of the Lord. And she came into the room and joined in the singing.

I had asked the Lord early on that he would allow me the privilege of being with Bill when he was called to heaven and He granted that request. As my family stood around the bed with Bill's elders, friends and loved ones he quietly slipped out of the room and went home to be with His Lord.

After he died more friends came and we held a little praise service in his hospital room thanking the Lord for a man of God whose life was lived out for the Lord, praising God for taking him home to heaven and singing hymns of worship to the Lord.

No, Bill was not alone. He was surrounded by children, young people, adults and seniors."
ar TORONTO, CANADA | 2023+

APRIL


MAY

27 Sat (1) 11am Commencement speaker at R. University, (2) ~3pm+ time w/ V/AR+
29 Mon (1) 9:30am VT prayer, (2) 3pm mtg DerCh - Mississauga
30 Tue (1) 10am ph call (AA), (2) 5:30pm video mtg (IsTan), (3) 8pm neighbourhood prayer mtg

JUNE
1 Thu (1) 11:30am Zoom mtg (LM), (2) 4pm mtg (VS,KBr)
2 Fri (1) 10:30am ph call (PVDW; SL w/ boys; ~J working)
3 Sat SL w/ boys and MG
5 Mon (1) 9:30am VT prayer mtg, (2) 2pm Europe call, (3) 5pm mtg/walk (YM)
6 Tue (1) 11:30am lunch (GD) - St. Jacobs, (2) 4pm mtg (AF) - Cambridge, (3) 7:30pm worship night
9 Fri ~J's b'day
10 Sat North Bay trip
13 Tue 11am mtg (DAy) (~J school trip w/ ~Co | text BD)
14 Wed 9:30am time w/ BD
15 Thu 4:30pm video mtg (Paul T.)
16 Fri (1) 9am video med appt, (2) 15-km run (Prayer Journey "warm-up")
17 Sat Prayer Journey (my own: 50km GTA bike-ride; Jessie's: 5KM) and speaking at GTA after-party
23-25 Fri-Sat poss. SL
26 Mon 2pm Europe monthly call
29 ... July 7 Thu-Fri poss. holiday in Arkansas

JULY
... 7 Thu-Fri poss. holiday in Arkansas
~8-17 SA+ in Toronto; P/H Bell likely visiting too
15 Sat aft+ baptism (Saj; NaB may be coming)
17-21 Mon-Fri Kids Kapers camp
24 Mon 2:45pm med. appt
26 Wed (1) 11am video mtg (SM), (2) 3pm Zoom mtg (SMa,SB), (3) 7pm ~J speaking at Greenhouse/Zoe - UofT downtown
27 Thu 10am video MVT board mtg
31 Mon 3:05pm med. appt
July/Aug CCWM board mtg / AGM

AUGUST
2 Wed 11am video mtg (SM+)
6-12 Sun-Fri Cottage w/ O/DN+ and UB/AC - Windermere; plus Muskoka
19 Sat poss. ~J fam beach day - Brighton area
25-29 Fri-Tue MoveIn staff retreat - southern Ontario

2023+
Sep 21 Thu - MVT board mtg
Sep 23 Sat poss. date of GV memorial
Sep 24 Sun ~Ch's b'day
Sep ~26-28 Poss. time in Lushnjë, Albania
Sep 29 - Oct 6 MoveIn Europe Conference+ - Durrës, Albania
Oct 21 Sat poss./unlikely date of GV memorial
Oct 21-27 Dollar-a-Day week
Early Nov Poss. fundraising event - Niagara
Nov-Jan Poss. time in India - Goa; Philippines - Manila+; Indonesia - Jakarta/Bali; LA/San Diego