His Cross and Mine         It was a dark day. Clouds of concern and dread hung over my head as the fog of despair closed in. I decided not to ask the why question but trust God, which didn’t lessen the pain and loss. It was the right thing to do.         It is what Job did. “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” It is what David chose. “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.” It is what Jesus did in Gethsemane when He prayed, “If this cup may not pass from Me, not My will, but Thine be done.”         I sat at my computer staring at the screen. I needed to write the AMA (Adventist Mission Aviation) family and tell them the news concerning my brother and sister-in-law. Bowing my head I prayed for light to break through the gloom; for my Father to give me the right words. Placing my hands on the keyboard I began typing.         Monday morning (February 16) Bob and Neiba and a teacher from the school left the home base headed to Ciudad Bolivar via two other jungle strips (probably to leave or pick up patients). The last radio communication from Bob was just before 8:00 when he called in sometime after taking off from one village strip, but the transmission was not understood. At noon the missing airplane was reported and a search was begun. There were four others on board, two being children, besides Bob, Neiba, and the teacher. For two days air and ground search has continued, now into the third day, without finding them. Many prayers are going up that today they will locate the downed airplane. Bob has always flown with God as His pilot, calling on Him for help in every flight, landing, and need. I know Monday was no different and God is with them. Whatever the outcome, they are in His hands. "I will not be afraid of evil tidings, my heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord." Psalm 112:7         March came and went as the search continued. Now it is October and still the plane and passengers have not been found. So many people have prayed and been involved in looking. Only God knows what has happened and why, in spite of man’s pleading for His guidance, they remain missing. Many rumors of their disappearance have gone around the world, but the only verifiable facts are that they took off from Karum and have not been seen since. It is probable that the plane went down with engine failure somewhere in the dense jungle of an uninhabited region. God marks the resting place of His faithful children. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.” Psalm 116:15; Revelation 14:13. I thank God for the blessed hope and await Jesus’ return with longing anticipation. The Cross and Suffering         It was a dark day. The sun refused to shine upon its Creator who hung gasping for breath upon a Roman cross, bearing the sins of the world. Jesus felt the oppressive gloom settling upon Him, the pain squeezing the life out until He died of a broken heart. “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” Isaiah 53:4.         I decided in January that 2009 would be the year of the cross in my life. How little did I know how personal that focus would become! I think of the words of a song. Must Jesus bear the cross alone, And all the world go free? No, there’s a cross for everyone, And there’s a cross for me.         The cross is not merely a symbol of Jesus laying down His life; it is an experience of self-sacrificing love. Jesus says, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matthew 16:24. This is what my brother Bob did. He gave his life in service for the Indian people of Venezuela. Why that was his last flight only God can answer, but those on board with him were symbolic of his ministry. His wife and companion in service, a friend and sister in Christ, a mother and baby returning home, and an ill patient who needed medical help accompanied by her mother. Bob lived the love of Jesus, and because he was willing to fly into short, rough strips to save lives entire villages have welcomed the gospel and many people now know and love Jesus. In hardship and suffering he bore his cross, gave of himself, and followed Jesus even unto death.         I’ve discovered that the only way to live with uncertainty and sorrow is to keep my eyes on Jesus, to focus on the cross and His sufferings, and to rejoice in the victory He won over death. “For the joy that was set before him (Jesus) endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2. Looking unto Jesus, I too embrace the cross of suffering and follow my Savior. He understands the pain I experience because He lived in this world of sin, tormented by the devil. Jesus knows personally the cost of redemption. He leads His army in this war. In the thick of battle He whispers to my heart, “Courage my daughter. It won’t always be like this.”         I am crucified with Christ, yet I no longer live. It is Christ who lives in me. I live by the faith of Jesus. Now I see through a glass dimly, but then face to face. Now I know only a part, but one day I will see the whole picture. (Galatians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 13:12) With Paul I want to declare, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14.