THE UNGIVEN GIFT

THE UNGIVEN GIFT
During our 2008 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Brazilian Baptist Mission of International Mission Board missionaries and their families in Atibaia, Sao Paulo, June 29-July 2, 2008, I wanted to surprise my bride of 23+ years, Elaine Lambach, and also buy my two daughters, Rachel (12) and Hannah (9) early matching Christmas presents. After I had picked out the two matching sets of earrings for the girls and the slightly different pair for Elaine and was finalizing the purchase, Elaine walked up, visiting with another wife. After pausing momentarily wondering how I could still surprise her, I instead decided to let her help me pick out her pair because she would know better than me if I was duplicating or buying a set similar to what she already had. So she did, picking out a pair with modest yellow-orange stones. Both of us were delighted with the purchase. Because I initiated the purchase, the earrings would still express my love for Elaine when I gave to her for her October 20 birthday or for Christmas.

We took our first ever family vacation in Rio de Janeiro July 2-4, spending a special three days with fellow IMB missionaries Jeff and Sharon Renard and their children and sharing in a July 4th luncheon with our extended IMB family in Rio. We then traveled on to Petropolis, RJ, where we spent three days with Pr Juracy Carlos Baia and his wonderful family, special friends from our ministry in Goiania (1999-2001). We started from home on the late morning of Monday, July 7. After three nights on the road, and stopping just outside of the city of Castanhal for a first-ever family visit and light meal in the restaurant “O Celeiro”, where we strolled hand-in-hand as we visited the hydroponic gardens. We arrived home around 6 pm on Thursday, July 10. I noticed that on the trip home she appeared to be more tired than normal, attributing it to four days on the road.

Friday morning, July 11th at around 5 a.m., we made the first of three visits to the Emergency Room at the Adventist Hospital in Belem. Elaine was admitted the third time around 3:15 a.m. on Monday, July 14th – and eighteen hours later, officially at 11:10 p.m. – our Loving Heavenly Father called Elaine to her eternal home and reward.

After her Memorial Service in our Brazilian Church, Agulha Baptist, on Tuesday, July 15th, I saw my backpack – and remembered her gift. Elaine knew about the gift, and was content to wait. Certainly when we entered the hospital that final time, I thought we might be in ICU a day or two, then on to a regular room, then back home again. Never in my worst nightmare could I have imagined saying goodbye to my darling, sweetheart, best friend, constant companion, and apple of my eye before that day was over.

Her earrings remain THE UNGIVEN-GIFT. Husbands – please don’t ever join me in this club. While you can, big or small, intricate or simple, expensive or economical, GIVE HER GIFTS – OFTEN.