*** *** *** *** 25 FEB 2002 PRAISE & PRAY from the Hills of Japan BAD NEWS, BUT GOD IS GOOD The reality of this truth that we have preached this past year has impacted us today at the deepest level. Cheryl's father, Rev. Richard Rice, entered the eternal presence of his Lord and Savior last evening while he slept. We all knew that Dad's first committment was to Jesus Christ his Lord. He lived this out with intimate knowledge of God's Word. In obedience to God's Word Dad made his marriage and family his primary passion as a faithful husband and loving father. Pastoral care and exposition of the Bible made up his life's vocation. Dad was known for his personal touch on so many lives. He did not "hide" behind a pulpit or in an office. He was there with us in real time and space; sweating with us, bleeding with us, laughing with us, and praying with us. We love him! We miss him! We have our firm hope to worship together with him again before the feet of Jesus Christ our Lord and King. THE DETAILS Rev. Richard Rice was married to Shirley (Riggenbach). He pastored at Grace Baptist of Mahomet, Illinois and First Baptist Church of South Holland, Illinois both Conservative Baptist churches. He also pastored in Billings, Montana and Lebanon, Indiana. After retirement several churches called on him to minister as interim pastor. Dad and Mom also traveled to Japan several times to visit the Conservative Baptist ministries there, in addition to their daughter Cheryl and her husband who minister together with CB churches planting churches there. Dad ministered personally during those times to the CB missionaries and to the CB Japanese churches. Dad died quietly in his sleep on the night of February 24th in his 78th year of life. Services to celebrate Dad's life and to share our grief at being parted from him will be held on Thursday, February 28th in Niles, Michigan at Halbritters Funeral Home THE HILL's PLANS We will fly back to Niles, Michigan February 26th and stay with Mom for a couple of weeks. We plan to return to Albuquerque on the 12th of March. We have chosen to delay our return to Japan. We plan now to depart on April 10th. PRAYER NEEDS * Tomoko will travel with us for the first week, but will return to Albuquerque and then onto Japan on her own. Pray for her safety and peace given these changes. Pray also as her father's health continues to be a question mark after surgery for stomach cancer. * Pray for the major need our our Ministry Account now faces. We purchased the cheapest tickets that we could. Our delay results in a total loss of these tickets and we will have to re-purchase again at a higher price. Our ministry and travel accounts will take a major hit. * Pray for Cheryl and all of us as we grieve. Yes, this is bad news for us but God is good! Together with You For Christ's Kingdom, Abigail, Jeffrey, Cheryl & Leon