I just learned that a dear friend has died.  "Sister Jean," as I fondly called her, went into eternity to be with the One she loved the most, Jesus.

 

     Jean was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) after suffering her first heart attack in 1989, according to her closest friend, Tammy, who wrote to me with the news of Jean's passing.

 

     Sister Jean was a walking miracle, however.  When she received her diagnosis of CHF, her doctor told her that people with CHF "live 3-5 years" after their first heart attack.  But Jean proved the doctor wrong by living until March 20,

2004.

 

     It was around August 1999 when Jean first wrote to me after she saw my interview on Larry King Live.  Unknown to me until I got her first letter, Jean told me that she had been praying for me for many years.  So when she saw me

confessing my faith in Christ, Jean was thrilled.

 

     As a woman of strong faith, Jean's letters were full of good advice and words of encouragement.

 

     My sister and friend also prayed for my interview with Focus on the Family.  She wanted it to go well, and I think she prayed about this every day during the weeks prior to the interview taking place and up until its airing seven months

later.

 

     Unfortunately, however, Jean may have missed the airing of this program because, in Tammy's letter, she told me that Jean had been in a hospice until March 16th.   But I know that her precious prayers helped to move mountains of

obstacles from my path.  They definiely assisted in bringing the "Focus" interview to pass.

 

     When Jean did not answer my letters of Januyary 1 and February 14 (Valentine's Day), I knew that something was wrong.  I began to sense that Jean was going to be leaving this earth very soon;  and she did!

 

     Then, three days ago when a prison guard handed me Tammy's letter at mail call, as soon as I saw the envelope with the return address, I knew that Jean was gone.

 

     I will miss my sister's letters.  Thankfully, though, Tammy told me that Jean did not suffer, and that she died peacefully in her littleapartment.

 

     Jean was a very godly woman.  Two things the Lord taught me by her life were that one is never to old or infirm to be used by God.  Jean had a monthly newsletter that she published.  Also, that a Christian will not always see the rewards of his or her faithful service in their lifetime.

 

     For the most part, since her first heart attack in 1989, Jean was often physically weak and tired.  She even had several heart attacks since.  Yet by

God's grace, she pressed on.  She never quit serving the Lord until her heart beat for its last time.

 

     My beloved sister's life involved much affliction.  But her rewards are surely ahead. 

 

David Berkowitz

April 1, 2004

 

(c)2004 David Berkowitz