June 2, 2008

Dear Co-laborers,

In 1943 a young sailor named Jack walked into a mission in Chicago. The chaplain explained the Gospel to him and his need of Christ. Jack was surprised that the chaplain knew that he was a sinner. That night God opened his heart and he trusted Christ as his Savior. After World War II was over, Jack returned home and with great excitement told his minister how Christ had saved Him. All the minister could say was, "You? You?" Translated, "Of all people, you would have been the last one I would have thought would be saved."

Several years later Jack married and started to raise a family. Every Sunday morning while preparing breakfast for the family, he turned on the radio to the Radio Bible Class. Through the Gospel messages preached each week, Jack's wife came to Christ. They both became Sunday School teachers at church and examples of godly living at home. Later Jack would become a deacon and treasurer of the church. Although Jack and his wife didn't have a lot of money, his children knew he loved them. He built a softball field in the backyard where all the neighborhood kids could come to play. No ball games were played neither on Wednesday evenings nor on Sundays. In the winter Jack turned the ball field into an ice skating rink, complete with a flood light for night skating. Jack always knew where his children were.

Missionaries and visiting preachers were always welcomed in their home. His children grew up having dinner with many choice saints of God from all around the world. Every night at bedtime Jack would tell Bible stories to his children. After dramatizing the story of Jonah, he would ask, "Now what happens when you don't obey? Yes, you get into trouble!" His children learned early that it was important to obey God and their parents. His children remember seeing their dad on his knees praying beside his bed. Jack led his first-born daughter to Christ at the age of five. When she surrendered to the mission field at the age of twelve, he encouraged her to follow the lord. His second child, a son, was saved about this time and surrendered to preach. Years later he would become the pastor of Jack's church. Later his younger son and daughter trusted Christ. Although they weren't called into the ministry, they were faithful church members who supported the church through their tithes and missions offerings. Jack could say along with the Apostle John, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" (III John 4).

After a long battle with Alzheimer's Jack went home to be with the Lord he loved on May 13, 2008. He often told his children he couldn't wait to walk on the streets of gold and he would stand at the "pearly gates and wait for them." Arthur Jackson Werth was my father. God used him to lead me to Christ and through his testimony, leadership, and guidance; I came to love missions and missionaries. When I surrendered to the mission field, he encouraged me every step of the way. So humanly speaking I am your missionary to Indonesia, because of a godly father who loved the Lord and a chaplain in the service who shared Christ with a young sailor. I thank the Lord I was able to be at my father bedside along with my family singing hymns when he went home to be with the Savior he loved and served. I look forward to visiting many of you as I begin furlough. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

                                                                                His for Indonesia,

                                                                                Karen L. Werth