Good night dear friend: I will see you in the morning

On Monday, Sept. 19, 2011, a very good friend of mine, Faunty Heflins, left me behind to go to the place his heart longed to be — a place called heaven. Faunty was 88 years old. He had no enemies — they all died years ago.

Faunty and I spent many hours together driving to Marion, Ohio serving in Kairos Prison Ministry events over a period of 10 years. I guestimate we made 100-plus trips together to Marion.

We spent a lot of time talking and getting to know each other’s hearts during those drives, plus the time we spent inside the Marion Prison on Kairos three-day weekends and other prison events.

Faunty is the person who talked me into serving in Kairos.

It was through the times we spent together that we became the best of friends. I will always cherish the times we spent together. Following is my tribute to one of the best friends I ever had.

Dear Faunty,

Thank you for the many blessed times we spent together laughing, talking, and praying. I was challenged and inspired by your devotion and commitment to the Lord Jesus and to the Kairos Prison Ministry.

When you weren’t doing prison ministry you were involved with other charitable ministries in the community.

Your love for the lost sheep inside prison walls was very evident by the way they responded to you as they sensed your love was real and not a facade.

It was hard for me to see your health fail and come to grips with the fact you will be leaving us. But I know you looked forward to being released from the pain and suffering you were experiencing in your body and be present with the Lord with a heavenly body (see 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 New Living Testament). “In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11. Such a hope gives me much comfort.

Proverbs 14:32 reads: “But the righteous has a refuge in his death — i.e., go to a place where one will find safety, rest, and comfort from the pain and suffering of this life.” May you rest in peace until we meet again.

It is with sadness I say, “Good Night, Faunty.” I look forward to meeting you again in the morning.

“Well done thou good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of the Lord.”(Matthew 25:21) Thanks for the memories.

Love,

Elton

May you have a good week unless you have other plans.

Maranatha. (Maranatha means, “Our Lord Cometh.”)

The Rev. Elton Yutzy is the associate pastor of the Maranatha Community Fellowship Church in Plain City. He can be reached by e-mail at revelton@gmail.com.