July 5, 2004

Dear Friends and Partners,

As most of you know by now, two weeks ago, (June 18th) I was on my way to Jamaica on our annual soulwinning teen trip, and in Miami the phone call caught up with me that no parent ever wants to get. Jackie told me that the police were at our home and that our son Paul David had been killed in an automobile accident. In those early hours in my hotel room I anointed myself with oil and in faith began to dance before the Lord and praise Him that Heaven is a real place and that Paul was there rejoicing in his eternal home with his Lord and Savior Jesus and the Father of Lights and all that have gone on before, and that he has now become a member of that great cloud of witnesses. My days since then have not been nearly so spiritual or even Christian I sometimes feel. With all the precious friends that came to our home to love on us, I felt like I should try to cheer them up and be upbeat but I did not pull that off too well. This has been the worst time of our lives and the hardest thing we have ever done or gone through. It is not right; you should not bury your kids. Having said that, we are living on the prayers and love of our friends and partners and the comfort and peace of the Holy Spirit; He really is the Helper and the Comforter. I really don’t know how those that don’t know our Lord make it through something like this. Even with all the thousands of people praying it’s been hard, so how others do it I don’t know. The Apostle Paul said we mourn but we don’t mourn like those that have no hope! The Word tells us that we won’t be overcome with grief, that there is beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, and that the garment of praise gets rid of the spirit of heaviness. We know in whom we believe and we do know that God is a good God and that His Word is truth. We also know that we are going to make it, we are going to continue to do what God has called us to do, and that we are more than conquerors through Him that loves us. The devil stopped one soulwinning trip last month but there are many, many to come.

Thank you so very much to all of you that came, that called, that sent flowers, that sent cards, that brought food, that sent offerings, we are eternally indebted to you. Thank you for loving us, praying for us, helping us. Words cannot express our gratitude and deep appreciation. This month’s letter cannot name you personally and list your gift specifically because our office has been shut down and gifts logged now will reflect this month of July instead of June, but we will get you thanked personally and properly. Thank you so very much for your love, prayers, and support of this miracle missionary ministry. May our God richly return your seed sown.

This does not change the Word of God or the Word of Faith which we have preached and lived for over three and a half decades around the world. We will not water down or compromise the covenants of God and you will find us in the nations, reaching the unreached, telling the untold, and loving the unlovely. I’ve cancelled several stateside meetings but September finds us in Southeast Asia, and October will have us in Romania.

Please stay in touch, we love you, thanks again to all who have and will be involved. We continue to covet your prayers.

Paul’s Dad, and Your Friend and Missionary,

Terry L. Mize