LXP Lesotho

In the previous blog I mentioned names. Every time I look at the cinderblocks and cement that make up the pieces of our house, I think of the names of the people who purchased those building materials because they love Jesus and they love us. There are two names that come to mind more often than others, however, for more reasons than one. I cannot talk about names without specifically mentioning these two.

Rex and Kelly Garrick

Rex and Kelly’s names would’ve come to mind more often than others in this building season no matter what. I, Elizabeth, grew up with the Garrick’s huge smiles and amazing hugs. When I moved to Africa to go into ministry they were some of my biggest encouragers, and when I married Godfrey they extended it all to him as well. Their energetic, passionate, unwavering support for me and Godfrey and our work has won them a place in our hearts, and I know in the heart of the Father. They have prayed for us, encouraged us, loved us, given to us, and hosted us in their home as a father and mother. Their relationship with the Lord and with each other and the way they love and serve everyone they meet has been a challenge and a blessing to observe. We love them from the bottom of our hearts, and without them we wouldn’t be where we are today and there wouldn’t be as many bricks or bags of cement being turned into a house. They have helped us and built us up more than they’ll ever know.

For these reasons their names come to mind every time we see the house God is building for us.

There’s another reason their names come to mind even more often these days; our dear, sweet, champion and father went to be with the Lord last week. We miss Rex terribly. And we miss Kelly, too. We wish we could return one of her amazing hugs at this sorrowful time. We rejoice that Rex is united at last with the love of his heart, Jesus. We are so, so very thankful for all he gave us. We wish he could see the cinder blocks and cement as they turn into our house. We wish we could show him the fruits of his love and labor in our lives and our ministry. But we’re sure God will take care of that better than we ever could. And in that comfort, we rest. Thank you Jesus, for Rex and Kelly.

“Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling…Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

2 Corinthians 5: 1-2, 5

Two of our fathers, Rex Garrick and Norm Jones, during our 2012 visit