This month’s magazine is dominated by comments resulting from the deaths of two women – Princess Diana and Sis Karolyn Andrews of Georgetown, Guyana.
Circumstances surrounding the Princess have been more than amply covered in the public media, those involving Sis Karolyn are noted later in the magazine As with Diana, Karolyn died too young as a result of violence — she was gunned down during a robbery in the little shop she tended, and later died of her wounds.
We had only begun editorial comments on the importance of women, particularly sisters, when the fax machine started up with a message from Guyana The message makes all the points we had in mind, plus more, we commend it to you.
The Deborah of “Deborah?’
It is difficult for me to pen my feelings for this “daughter of Israel”. Respect, admiration, tenderness, deep and abiding love are terms that flow very easily through my thoughts.
A relationship that has spanned over 26 years began uncertainly, but quickly blossomed into a solid friendship in which we were able to work joyfully and harmoniously in our common love of the Father Many have been the deep confidences we have shared, the late hours we have spent with each other the outings we have enjoyed, the times we have bullied each other in the best interest of the other and the common advice we have given to our children.
For me, where Karol excelled was in her prioritization of the Truth in her life. She did not just “mouth it,” she lived it.
Her determination that the role of a sister must be pivotal in the ecclesia, without “usurping authority”, was shared by many of us and when our Sister ‘s Class floundered to an average attendance of four we knew we were in trouble. Sis. Karol led some other caring sisters in a quiet fight for the gospel’s sake. The result was never in doubt. Our last Sister’s Class together was on August 3 when we held our monthly Prayer Meeting At the end of the meeting, we shared a cake since it was my baptismal birthday. Sis. Karol wished me “God’s richest blessings and good health.” Little did I know that was our last celebration together Our attendance that day was 13.
At the beginning of the year when we met to consider our program, Sis. Karol directed our focus to our great need to preach the Gospel. Her call was urgent as she pressed us to witness in whatever way we could How vividly I remember her statement that she had little interest in anything else but to preach the word of God.
It was clear to our sisters that the “Deborah’s” would need to galvanize the “Barak’s” if necessary. We also began in-depth discussion of first principle topics and difficult questions.
When my Sunday School pupils were treated to an outing, Sis. Karol’s bus was ready and she was there as the smiling driver When I called her the “Transportation Sister” she laughed and asked me when was she elected? Her pleasant disposition and willingness to go the “extra mile” for brothers and sisters was phenomenal and her conviction that a “good life” could be had in Guyana was always inspiring “Just trust God and He will direct you” was her motto.
I have just had a look at Proverbs 31:10–31 and, apart from verse 21 regarding snow, I find the similarities so stunning that Jam convinced Sis. Karol patterned her life after this sister.
What more can I say, for time will fail me to talk of her unswerving commitment to her home, her devotion to her family, her great understanding of problems facing others, her ability to immediately touch on the root of the problem, her leadership qualities and, most of all her deep and abiding love of God and her appreciation of having found the Truth.
For us in the Georgetown Ecclesia, there is an irreplaceable void Thank you Father for the Hope of the resurrection. May we meet again when your Son returns and his glorious kingdom is established.
Pat Cumbermack, Georgetown, Guyana
Scriptures say, “Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates” (Prov. 31:30-31). While she may not be honored by the lofty of this world, the godly woman knows that she is appreciated by the Lord and by true believers. Further, she looks forward to her service being carried on into eternity when she awakes on resurrection morning.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One