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By Donald Thompson

I have been so blessed with the many condolences received from around the world upon the news of my Dad's homegoing. The many precious words received have been a great encouragement to us and have sustained us through the past week.

My Father's wake last Sunday evening, and funeral service Monday afternoon, were blessed times. We had about 150 people come to the wake, and about 100 or so come to the funeral, which was all conducted in Japanese. My Dad would be glad to know that there were a few unsaved and some that had backslidden that were among the group, and were able to be rechallenged with the things of Christ.

My brother-in-law, Yoshi whom my dad had ordained as the pastor of the Christian Life Center back in 1997 took the services. We had just had a 50th Anniversary celebration in May where I presented a 25-minute video of the history of my Dad's ministry. We showed this video again at both services, and many were moved by my Dad's commitment to evangelism and missionary zeal. Gospel singer Chu Kosaka sang a song he had written and published several years ago that spoke of the struggles of a victor, and was very appropriate for my Dad's funeral. My Dad has been a victor all his life. He had been told at the age of 21 that he would not survive the night after his appendix had burst. But this is when he first believed on Christ, and not only survived that crucial night, but went on to become an evangelist and missionary to Japan and other Asian nations and lived until 78. My dad was a very hard worker. He was not afraid of doing the mundane, or practical things, and his greatest joy was always to have the opportunity to present the gospel to anyone who would listen. Many were touched by his ministry and the power that flowed through his preaching and life. My Dad's faith in God and His Word, and the love he showed me in many practical ways, has been an inspiration to me. We do miss him very much.

On the morning of the funeral, as I was seeking the Lord about what I should say when it came time for me to address those who had gathered and to thank them for coming, I sensed the Lord giving me a word, which I wrote down, and read at the funeral. It went as follows:

"Do not mourn, but rejoice that my servant is now in my presence. I sent Lionel Thomson to Japan to show you my love. He has had to plow many hard places, and planted many seeds--some that fell on hard ground, and some that fell on good soil. But he was faithful.. But you, take up the mantle of his calling--all of you--rededicate your life to my purposes. Reap where he has sown; sow where he has plowed; and plow where he could not go. I love Japan--that's why I send my servants from distant lands. But I am also raising up an army from within Japan--to prepare the way for the coming of my Son. Today you are mourning the death of my servant--but rejoice in that I loved him, and he is with Me--in the company of the holy saints-- and rejoice that I love you--and my Holy Spirit is with you to comfort you and lead you. Do not fear because I am the Lord God who loves you."

The presence of the Holy Spirit was very real at the service, and many commented later that they had been moved by the service, and redicated themselves to the Lord.

We miss him a lot. But at the same time we have a peace and joy that is very real and hard to explain--knowing that Dad is now in eternity and in a higher service for the Lord whom he loved. We look forward to seeing him either when it is our turn to go on to glory or when he returns with Jesus in the clouds. Either way, we will see him again!

I hope to put up some pictures and other comments on a homepage in due course and will send you the link when that is all ready.

Thank you, and God bless you!