April 2008

My Dear Friend:

Warren Webster died this week (as of this writing). Warren and Joyce Webster are extremely talented and gifted missionaries who have served the Lord through BIMI for several years in Japan. Warren is an example of the many hundreds of missionaries who circle the globe representing their local church while working through BIMI.

At 68 years of age, Warren showed no sign of resigning, slowing down or lessening his pace in the service of Jesus Christ. His vision for souls continued to the very day God called him home. Pray for his wife, Joyce, as she faces a life-changing adjustment.

I do not always mention things of this nature in this report but thought that I would today.

Friends like you who stand by missionaries in prayer and support make possible the awesome witness for Jesus Christ in so many places. God keeps the records. Your care and sacrifice are recorded.

When news of Warren’s death reached this office, Joyce was still at the hospital with Warren. There are unbelievable obstacles when someone dies in a foreign country. In Japan people are cremated. Joyce felt that Warren’s body should be returned to America for a Christian burial. The hospital would only keep the body for a few hours. At first it seemed that there was no way to embalm and no available coffin large enough.

Dave Carter, a BIMI missionary nearby, came to be with Joyce. Sarena, in the BIMI insurance office, worked late at night and early in the morning with MedAire arranging the transportation of Warren’s body back to the States. Dr. James Kennard, BIMI’s military director, was immediate in his counseling and advice for Joyce. BIMI missionary Steve Nutt flew from Okinawa to mainland Japan to help and to be present at a special memorial service. The staff of BIMI prayed diligently. Warren’s pastor, John Paisley of Riverview Baptist Church in Paso, Washington, made preparations for a service and even provided a burial plot.

This event is another illustration of how a mission agency, supporters and the local church can work together with God’s servants who serve as missionaries in far away places when they face tragedies and difficulties.

Thank you!

For the Harvest,
James Ray
President