Browsing the blog archives for the year 2005

Updates on Isaac Waller Prayer Request

Adam's Updates

Thursday, November 22nd, 2005
Grantsburg, WI

Dear Family and Friends,

As most of you have heard by this time, on November 4th, 2005, the Lord called my twin brother Isaac Waller home after a sudden illness while serving with his family in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers from people all over the world.

I know that there are many praying for us who do not usually get my updates, and some who have only heard scattered details from these recent events. With this in mind, I have been working for the past several days to make a simple website with my past prayer update newsletters so that people can read more of the story.

If you sent or forwarded some of the initial e-mails and prayer requests for Isaac, please take a moment and forward this e-mail on as well. We want as many of our friends as possible to hear the testimony of Isaac’s life, and to see God’s love and faithfulness in carrying our family through this time.

You can click the following link to see our family website:

http://cadlinx.com/wallerfamily/

This Christmas season will be very different for our family, but we rejoice in confidence that Isaac is enjoying his best Christmas ever in heaven, in the presence Jesus Christ, his Savior. It was a great privilege to have Isaac as a part of our family, and we rejoice in the twenty-five years that God gave us to enjoy with him.

May God bless you, and give you a special Christmas season this year!

In Christ,

– Adam


Adam Waller ~ MyAllForChrist@CadLinx.com

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” – Galatians 6:9

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A Special Word of Thanks

Isaac Waller

Dear Praying Friends,

On behalf of our entire family, I would like to say a very special word of thanks to each of you that have been praying for our family through this season in our lives.

God’s grace is the thing that we have needed the very most through this experience, and His grace has been poured out upon us in a way that we have never before experienced.

Waller Family, December 2005

Waller Family, December 2005

Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to come boldly to the Throne of Grace where we may find grace to help in our time of need. We have received many generous and loving gifts in the past few weeks, but the greatest gift of all has been the presence of the Lord that has carried our family.

In Matthew 6:6, we read that God has a special reward for those who pray in secret, seen only by Him. My prayer is that God will pour out a rich blessing upon each person that has been praying for us. “…and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”

We have received e-mails from people that have never met our family, and yet they have been standing with us in prayer. This, I believe, is the kind of love that Jesus speaks of in John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

Please continue to remember our family in prayer as the Lord brings us to your mind. I know that we will also have many tears in the days to come, but I am even more confident that God’s grace will be with us too.

Feel free to send me an e-mail if you would like to be added to my Prayer Update list. We would love to keep you informed as the Lord continues to do a work in and through our family in the days to come.

May God richly bless you with an even deeper understanding of His love and purposes as you live for Him!

In Christ,

– Adam, for the Waller family

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Places to go, people to see

Adam's Updates

Thursday, December 15th, 2005
Grantsburg, Wisconsin

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been several weeks since I have last written, but this past month after our return to America has been a very full one. Memorial services, spending time with family and friends, traveling from Chicago to Wisconsin, to Oklahoma and back to our farm have kept things busy for us.

One month ago yesterday, we left Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to take some time with family and friends back in the States. Arriving in Chicago the evening of November 14th after over 24 hours of traveling, we were greeted at the airport by a group of staff from IBLP headquarters. Eager hands helped load our luggage into a trailer as the weary travelers climbed into the waiting vans.

After a special meeting and words of encouragement from Dr. Gothard (Director of IBLP), we were ushered into one of the IBLP staff houses. Tears again filled our eyes as we saw a turkey dinner prepared for us by loving friends, and stacks of groceries provided for our few days in Chicago.

I remember staring at the white floor and walls, and feeling the soft carpet under my feet. I hadn’t seen a microwave in months, and when you turned on the hot water, hot water actually came out. Experiencing jet lag for his first time in his seven years of age, I heard Matthew bounce out of bed at 3 AM the next morning and run up the stairs. For the next several hours we heard him doing summersaults across the carpet above us.

Even with such short notice, many friends joined us the following evening for a time of sharing and fellowship together. Staff from IBLP graciously allowed us to use their staff dining room, even preparing refreshments and working with us to design a simple program honoring Isaac’s service to the Lord.

Greatly blessed by the continued outpouring of love and generosity, our family drove a few days later to our farm in Grantsburg, Wisconsin to prepare for the memorial services scheduled to take place the week following.

Having closed down the house for winter, we were not sure what to expect, but God again went before us in the way of a kind neighbor. Tom Quimby started up the heating system in our house so that we could come out of the cold, snowy night into a warm house. Loving neighbors and friends brought meals and firewood as we worked to settle back in to our farmhouse and get the septic system back into operation.

Holding the memorial services in the church where Isaac and I had come to Christ at the age of five, we were again greatly blessed by the love of family and friends that came to be with us, and to witness the testimony of a life lived for the Lord. The singing, sharing, testimonies and message continued for over two hours. I don’t think any person that attended could miss how special Isaac was to so many, or the grace that God has given us to trust Him through this time. There is a reason behind the hope that lies within us!

Since our return home, Derrick has been encouraging me to write an article for our local newspaper, sharing the testimony of Isaac’s life. With the memorial services behind us, I turned my focus to this new project. Isaac’s homegoing has brought many opportunities to give witness for Christ, and when God brings these opportunities, I don’t want to hide my light under a bushel, but place it on a candlestick where it might bring glory to God.

The project would have been easier, had I known a little more of God’s incredible providence in raising up a man for such a time as this. Byron Higgin, the editor of our local newspaper is a strong Christian and has often taken bold stands in acknowledging the Lord through his work.

Yesterday afternoon I saw my first copy of the newspaper, and found that the article was not just tucked away somewhere, but a color picture on the front page leading to my article, complete with pictures, on the second page! Byron had written another article about our family, and included a third story, condensed from one of my updates, filling the entire page. Only God could have worked out something like that.

Traveling to Oklahoma City early in December, we spent a few days at the Training Center where Isaac had worked for the year and a half prior to our time in Mongolia. Again welcomed by many friends, we took an evening to watch the slide show of pictures from Isaac’s life and talk with many that have known us over the past several years.

One of the families had offered the use of their cabin in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, and our family was able to spend several days there by ourselves. This was a much needed time to be together as a family. Almost a year ago, this had been the last location where we were all together before going to Mongolia.

There were more tears as we sat down to dinner as a family without Isaac, and later as we watched video clips of Isaac talking, leading music and playing his harmonicas and trombone in Oklahoma City.

But there were happy times as well. The Fahrenbrucks had left a fishing rod at the cabin, so the younger ones were excited to get some tackle and a can of corn to take to the park. While the older ones played volleyball, I watched Lydia, Rebecca and Matthew at the lake as they worked together putting corn on the hook and taking turns with the rod.

I decided not to spend the $25 to buy a license for a few hours of fishing, so the three youngest were on their own. Words can hardly describe the moments of suspense, everyone leaning forward and holding their breath as the bobber began dipping into the water. Matthew’s arms were almost shaking with excitement as he earnestly looked over at me. “Should I pull yet?”

“No, not yet,” I said, my eyes fixed on the bobber. “Wait till the bobber goes all the way under… Wait… Get ready… And… Wait… Go!” Matthew’s muscles flexed as all the minutes of restrained suspense were unleashed in a single reflex that sent the bobber, hook and line all flying clear out of the water onto the shore. Needless to say, there was no fish, or corn, remaining on the hook.

After we all had a good laugh, Rebecca put some more corn on the hook and Matthew coiled for another cast. With a little practice, all three of them managed to catch some small panfish. I was really glad that none of the fish swallowed the hook. Step-by-step tonsillectomy lessons are not usually on the list of most popular topics for beginning fishermen.

Spending the weekend with friends in Guthrie, Oklahoma, we saw others that remembered Isaac teaching at a children’s seminar the year before. One man from the church there told us in tears that he has been praying for us every day since he heard of Isaac’s death.

The sun rose on Monday morning to find our van already several hours underway on the trip back up to the farm. Thirteen hours is a long drive, but we were all relieved to arrive home that evening. A warm crackling fire in the wood stove was a welcome sight as we worked to carry in the luggage from our trip.

This week Rachelle and I have been working on a database of contacts and friends. This is a project that we have been thinking and planning toward for the past several years, but the many details in connection with Isaac’s passing have made it more of a necessity.

I am hoping and planning to set up a simple Web site with my past updates, so that people who may have just gotten a few forwarded e-mails can read the rest of the story. I plan to send out an e-mail with a link and a few more details as soon as I am able.

I also wanted to express my gratefulness to each of you that have written to us in the past month. With so many other things going on, I have not yet been able to respond to most of these e-mails, but please know that each one has been a special encouragement to us through this time.


Praise Points:

  • We are so grateful for the overwhelming love and care of family and friends through this time. God continues to pour out His grace upon our family, and we know that this is a result of so many that are praying for us.
  • Praise the Lord for health and safety through all of the trips, meetings, and events of the past month. It has been a very meaningful time of seeing many friends and loved ones of years gone by.
  • We have been able to book tickets for our return to Mongolia on January 20th. We are all looking forward to returning to the work in Mongolia. God is opening up many new opportunities for ministry in the months ahead.

Prayer Requests:

  • Please pray that the Lord would continue to pour out His grace as we celebrate Christmas this year without Isaac. We are so grateful for the twenty-five years that God allowed us to enjoy his presence in our family, but we still miss him.
  • Pray for the team in Mongolia as Tim, Angie, and Carissa head back to the States for Christmas. Our Mongolian staff will be doing some light remodeling in the main apartment, and carrying on the office responsibilities for us.


Pictures:

During our stay at the IBLP Headquarters, we were graciously allowed to stay in one of the staff houses. It was an ideal setting to adjust to the 14 hour time difference from Mongolia.

Matthew was pretty excited to see some of the food that had been left for our family. – And the pile on the counter was just for our ride back home!

My Grandfather drove an hour and a half from his home to hang this sign to our garage door, welcoming us back from Mongolia.

In our travels we have had the opportunity to share at several churches that have been praying for our family during this time. Here my Dad shares a testimony at Western Hills Church in Oklahoma City before our family sings “Great is Thy Faithfulness”.

The fishing rod flexes as Matthew’s left-handed cast sends the line into the water.

Rebecca giggles and squeals in her first experience taking a fish off the hook.

The Waller family, smaller in size, but deeper in message.


Words cannot express how grateful we are for your prayers through these days! God continues to show Himself faithful as He leads us each day.

In Christ,

– Adam


Adam Waller ~ MyAllForChrist@CadLinx.com

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” – Galatians 6:9

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Dugermaa’s Poem

Isaac Waller

The following poem was written by Pastor Dugermaa during Isaac’s funeral service in Mongolia. Dugermaa read the poem with tears running down his cheeks at the close of the service.

A few days later Pujaa translated the poem into English so that we could catch a glimpse of the message so beautifully portrayed in the Mongolian language.

Requiem

 Dugermaa is a Mongolian pastor for the church our family attends in Mongolia. Also a skilled musician and poet, Dugermaa’s work is fairly well known in Mongolia.

Dugermaa is a Mongolian pastor for the church our family attends in Mongolia. Also a skilled musician and poet, Dugermaa’s work is fairly well known in Mongolia.

You came twenty-five years ago,
on the fourth month, on the eleventh day.
You left for your heavenly home,
on the eleventh month, on the fourth day.

Dear brother, you loved Mongolia,
this land With the best love that you could toil.
Your love was so great that when called to go,
you have stayed in this land refusing to depart.

Your love was so great that you turned down
all the glory that the world could give.
Your love was so great that you took as your cover
the skies of this land fell asleep beneath.

It is possible! You have shown us,
to spend the life given only once
for this people, foreign and plain,
you couldn’t even identify nor name.

Surely you’ve opened the deaf ears of Mongolia
and preached First Thessalonians four, by your life.

You have left the reminder with me
to read the Bible early in the morning.
You have shown by your example to me
to make every day a day of fruitfulness and progress.

You have taught your sisters and brothers
the tune, the hymns and the songs to begin.
You have also reminded me, your brother,
the tone of words to say herein.

You advised us into the life to let the others take it first.
But at the death gate you’ve shown how to enter – first.

You have given your life from which we took
the lesson to love each other more then self.
You’ve revealed and shown the truth of the
Book Before you surrendered your body into dust.

What you have given us remains here still,
the example of the true faith.
Because of that, the Father Lord willed unto Heaven,
to take your breath.

My beloved brother,
who rendered unto this service
your years so tender,
Goodbye.

Until the Lord’s day,
Until we meet again.
Goodbye.

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To God be the Glory!

Adam's Updates

Friday, November 11th, 2005
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Dear Family and Friends,

Just one week ago on Thursday night, I was awakened at 1:30 AM from a light sleep to a two-way radio ring, and a moment later I heard David’s voice, “Adam, can you come over here?” Slipping on a pair of sandals and grabbing my coat, I quietly crossed the hall to the other apartment.

Derrick was talking on the phone, and David met me with tears in his eyes. His broken voice almost whispered “Isaac didn’t make the flight.” I looked down by the phone, and saw the words “Brain hemorrhage” written by David’s trembling hand just a few moments earlier.

Slowly the realization came over me that my dear twin brother Isaac was with the Lord. Waking Rachelle and Sarah, the five of us each had the opportunity to talk with Mom and Dad, and then we gathered in a circle to pray.

Tears flowed freely as each of us poured out our hearts to the Lord, thanking Him for the twenty-five years that He had given Isaac to our family. My dear friends, I want you to know that there at the throne of God we found grace to help in our time of need.

Deciding to wake the four younger children at 6:00 AM to share the news, we quietly went back to our rooms to try to rest until morning.

Everything had happened so quickly, and so unexpectedly. Just a few days before, we were excited to see some improvement in Isaac’s leg. He had been in bed for just over a month with what appeared to be an infection in his left leg. After three antibiotics, the blood tests showed no infection, but still the pain lingered on.

Then it seemed that things were improving. The swelling and redness was going down, but other symptoms began to appear. Increasing pain in the kidneys, headaches and strange bleeding indicated that something was seriously wrong. Responding to our call at 5:00 AM, Dr. Choi came out to see Isaac, and further blood tests were done in the morning.

By early afternoon on Thursday, I had returned from an errand to hear that preliminary results were coming back from Isaac’s tests. His white blood cell count had gone from a normal range of up to 10,000 to an unheard of 375,000! We were advised to get Isaac on a flight to Beijing or Korea as quickly as possible.

Here we began to see Lord’s hand working as we raced to get Isaac on the evening flight to Korea. Through and incredible series of events, Isaac was on the plane in 50 minutes, on the way to Seoul. Things happened so fast that I was not even sure who had gone with Isaac until after they had left.

Mom and Dad were both able to be with Isaac, and in his last hour, he was able to look out the window and watch the setting sun. The next morning I wept as Samuel chose the hymn “Beyond the Sunset” in our family time together.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 teaches that one day all Christians will be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air, but I thought it was very special that Isaac would get an early opportunity to meet the Lord in the air.

Throughout this whole experience, we have seen God’s great lovingkindness in more and more ways. After further examination of Isaac’s case in Korea, the doctors have confirmed that Isaac had a very rare form of leukemia. A cancer doctor only sees this type about once in ten years.

Because the symptoms are so strange, it is extremely difficult to diagnose early and even in the world’s best hospitals, there is very little that could have been done to slow the rapid advance of this variation.

This actually brought us much comfort as we realized that Isaac’s body had been fighting this disease for probably the past year. If we had known of it then, there would have been little that we could do for him, and it is very likely that we would not be in Mongolia today.

Instead, God raised up this chosen vessel to bear the testimony of the Lord Jesus in the land of Mongolia, and for four months, our family enjoyed the fulfillment of my parents’ dream to one day serve together on the mission field.

If Isaac had become sick and died in the States, we would have been grieving together, and perhaps his life would have been a challenge to some. But here in Mongolia, we are seeing how God is using Isaac’s death in perhaps an even more powerful way. At the funeral on Wednesday, Pastor Dugermaa wept as he read a poem he had written of Isaac’s life.

Isaac had given his love and energy to the people of Mongolia. He had given his strength and youth, and given until he had given his very life and body into the soil of this land. Across Isaac’s tombstone was graven in English and Mongolian the verse “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

Isaac had laid down his life, and served his last days to bring the message of hope to the people of Mongolia. What greater love could Isaac have shown for the One that had sent His Son, Jesus Christ, that the people of every kindred and tongue and nation might one day stand before His throne in paradise, redeemed unto God through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Some 250 people attended Isaac’s funeral at First Church of Ulaanbaatar. Representatives from several churches, missionaries, friends, neighbors and students from our character classes comprised a wide variety of people from all walks of life.

Especially touched were those who do not know Christ. One mother and daughter that have attended our Character-English classes came to share their condolences. The daughter just burst into tears and sobbed. Without Christ, Isaac’s death would have been just an untimely tragedy. Pujaa translated for me as I shared the hope and confidence that I will see my brother again.

Another unsaved student came to the viewing, funeral, burial and reception time. Although she is a strong Buddhist, she seemed to be very deeply impacted by what she saw. She had a long talk with the assistant pastor of one of the local churches.

The missionary community also seemed greatly touched by Isaac’s testimony. Families that we have never really met rallied together to provide meals and support for us. The home-school organization furnished the reception, and their leader laid aside a busy schedule to assist us in organizing the services.

Of the funeral itself, it was like none that I have ever attended. There was an air of hope and confidence that shone through the unexpected sorrow like sunbeams through the clouds. No one could miss how special Isaac was to each one of us, and no could miss the fact that he was prepared to meet the Lord.

Dad and the older children each shared how their lives have been impacted by Isaac’s selfless example of giving to others. I shared on the verse from Psalm 112 that “Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness…” We have a hope and confidence that has been with us through this time, and we are seeing the light of God’s purpose shining brighter and brighter each day.

Isaac’s life has been a consistent testimony of a young man that served God all the days of his life. I have no regrets about our family coming to Mongolia. If I had to do it over, there is nothing that I would change. Although we have seen much fruit through Isaac’s life, I believe that God will bring even more fruit through the testimony of his death.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” John 12:24

Right now our family is making plans to travel back to America on Monday, November 14th. We plan to spend a couple days in Chicago, then travel up to our farm in Wisconsin to prepare for a memorial service for friends and family.

God is working in some amazing ways as we work out our travel details. Yesterday the airline office told us that our round trip tickets had been canceled and we would have to buy new ones, but the the Lord has worked these things out, and we are actually able to travel together on the preferred Monday flight that will allow us to make a non-stop flight from Beijing to Chicago.

Tomorrow will likely be very full with our Character English classes in the morning, and packing and preparation in the afternoon. We leave early on Monday morning, so pray that we could have a productive day on Saturday, and a restful Sunday before the trip begins.


Memorial Services:

Location:

Summit Church

845 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota

(See http://www.summitag.org/ for directions)

Visitation:

5:00 – 8:00 PM

Memorial Service:

10:00 AM


Praise Points:

  • We are so grateful for the prayers of people all around the world that are praying for our family in this important time. God has been pouring out His grace upon each of us. We feel like we have just been carried through these days.
  • Praise the Lord for the many Christians and loving friends around us that have helped us work out so many logistical details over the past week.

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray that the Lord would give us smooth and restful travel back to the States, and that our family would be a testimony of the grace God has given us through this experience.
  • Pray that God would give great wisdom and discernment as we work through many details in the days to come.


Pictures:

One of the last pictures I have of Isaac, taken just 8 days before his death, as little as we imagined it at the time. Above him you can see his last creative project, a reading stand that enabled him to read several large biographies while laying in bed. Even while often in pain, his smile was a real encouragement to each of us.

I am so grateful for the confidence that we have as Christians. Although it is hard to say goodbye, I know that I will see my dear brother again.

Even with temperatures at 0 degrees (F), about 75-100 people came out for the burial.

A group of men strain to lift the gravestone. We ordered it the day before, and the workers had worked all night to inscribe Isaac’s name and the verses, finishing in time for the funeral on Wednesday.

There was no professional pulley system used to lower the casket, but with Jim’s coaching, we were able to get the job done smoothly.

Working to refill the hand dug grave. The physical work adds an element of reality to a burial in Mongolia.

To the right of a cross, Isaac’s name was inscribed in English and Mongolian, followed by his birth and homegoing dates: 1980.4.11 – 2005.11.4

On the inset black marble, we had the words of John 15:13 inscribed in English and Mongolian. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Isaac’s grave stands in lasting tribute to his service to the Lord in Mongolia. The hope that we have was such a contrast to the group of men in the distance performing a Buddhist burial. Isaac was buried next to the grave of Pastor Enkhbayar, a well known Mongolian pastor that died a few weeks ago.


Thank you so much for praying for our family in this important time!

In Christ,

– Adam


Adam Waller ~ MyAllForChrist@CadLinx.com

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” – Galatians 6:9

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A Race Well Run

Isaac Waller

When our family reached Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in June of this year, none of us had any idea that at age 25, my twin brother Isaac was in the final months of his life.

What began as an apparent infection in his leg early in October culminated a month later with an emergency evacuation to Seoul, Korea. An extremely aggressive form of Leukemia, we later learned, precipitated the brain hemorrhage that brought a close to Isaac’s life while in flight to Korea.

On November 4th, Isaac’s earthly race had finished, leaving us to contemplate the purpose with which he ran. It is not the length of the race, but how it is run that brings honor to a runner.

Born in 1980, Isaac was the second oldest of 10 children in the Waller family. A quiet and gentle brother, Isaac’s maturity and wisdom lived out an unforgettable example to those around him.

He lived for others. Countless times we saw him lay down his expectations and rights so that he could meet the needs of other people.

Isaac was also a man of conviction. He could not be pressured to break the speed limit or dishonestly adjust his timecard. Like a runner with his eyes fixed on the goal, Isaac’s life was characterized by leaving the good to take hold of the best.

In Washington DC, his character and skills brought rapid promotion and advancement in the field of computer aided drafting, but two years later he left it all to be with his family in a move to a farm in Grantsburg, Wisconsin.

Again laying aside lucrative career potentials, Isaac served at the Character Training Institute in Oklahoma City, helping others to develop the character that brings greater joy and purpose in life.

For Isaac, faith was not just something tacked on to his schedule. His faith was the very core of his being. Rising very early for daily Bible reading and prayer, Isaac took hold of a purpose in life with an eternal perspective.

In his brief life Isaac did many good deeds, but his confidence was not in himself. He knew that faith in Jesus Christ was the only way to have a relationship with God.

Leaving the comforts of America and security of a job, Isaac left with his family for volunteer service to the people of Outer Mongolia.

Working with a branch of the Character Training Institute, Isaac again selflessly poured out his time and energy in trainings and graphic design work. We will always hold dear the four months that we spent together serving in Mongolia as a family of twelve, little realizing how quickly Isaac was approaching the finish line of his life.

Isaac finished his course with joy. Even in his final days of pain and suffering, Isaac’s face bore a smile and a radiance that we can only attribute to the grace of God.

Meeting as a family a few days after Isaac’s death, we unanimously chose to bury his body in Mongolia, the land where he had so selflessly poured out the last months of his life in service to others.

Isaac’s funeral in Mongolia was attended by hundreds who had been touched by the sacrifice and love of this young man. Upon his tombstone are engraved the words: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Isaac has crossed the finish line, but we are still in the race. Like a fallen hero, his example lives on in our hearts, inspiring us to run with honor the race that is set before each one of us.

Through a life focused on eternal reward, Isaac has shown us the meaning of Jim Elliot’s words;

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

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A Tribute from a Twin

Isaac Waller

Isaac and I were born in 1980 in St. Paul, Minnesota as the first of 10 children. From playing cars to climbing trees, we did everything together. At five years of age, we both made the most important decision of our lives, to put our faith in Jesus Christ.

Wanting to protect us from wrong influences, our parents chose to educate us at home. In this family centered environment our creativity abounded. A homemade raft, a 23 foot kite, a bicycle stagecoach, and a powered 12 foot model airplane are just a few of the projects we did as we grew up together.

Even though I was 15 minutes older, I often looked up to Isaac and admired his maturity and wisdom. Isaac was a gentle and loving brother. His quiet patience lived out an example that we will never forget.

Isaac loved his family, but his greatest love was for the Lord. He walked away from promotion and a high paying job to serve those that could never repay. The greatest reward for him was to one day hear his Lord say: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

In June of 2005, Isaac left his home and job in America for volunteer service with his family to the people of Mongolia. We never expected that these would be his last months to selflessly pour out his life for others.

Even in his last hours in pain and suffering, Isaac had a joyful radiance that bore testimony to a life at peace with God. No good works could ever repay the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Isaac was resting in confidence that God is faithful Who has promised in His Word to give eternal life to all who call upon Him. Today, our family rests in that same confidence that we will see our brother again in heaven.

Although our dear brother has gone to his eternal reward in heaven, his testimony lives on in our hearts. May we also follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ who gave that others might live.

Adam Waller, Twin Brother

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Together again

Adam's Updates

Monday, November 7th, 2005
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Dear Family and Friends,

Our days have simply been filled from morning till night with so many details. While we are at times physically and emotionally exhausted, God is giving us great strength and peace through this time. So many friends have gathered around us to help in any way that they can.

We have received e-mails from friends all over the world, many whom we have never met, that are praying for us, and this continues to bring us great encouragement. We know that God has a very special purpose for Isaac’s life and for our family in this time.

Today we drove out to the airport to welcome my parents back from Korea. It was a tearful reunion, but we have such a joy and hope in the midst of this loss. We will greatly miss my twin brother Isaac, but we are already seeing God do some very special things in our lives, and in the lives of those around us.

Jesus said that all men would know we are His disciples by the love that we have for one another (John 13:35), and I am seeing this lived out in a reality that I have never before experienced. The kindness of Christian friends in Korea has brought such encouragement to my parents.

The doctor that helped receive Isaac from the plane was with my parents in the hospital until five the next morning. Every day he was with them and helped them make international calls from his cell phone. Other friends provided meals and spent time encouraging and praying with my parents through these hours.

Even through all these unexpected events, we see an even greater love, the great wisdom and loving care that God has shown to our family through this time. The fact that we were able to be serving together as a family for the last few months of Isaac’s life is something we will never regret. There are many other special things that we are now seeing, and I look forward to sharing them in greater detail over the days and weeks to come.

There are many arrangements and details yet to be worked out for the viewing tomorrow evening, and the funeral on Wednesday. Pray that the Lord will give us great wisdom in making so many important decisions. Our desire is that God would be glorified, and that our family would be a testimony of His grace and power in the midst of suffering.

We will miss Isaac very much, and continue to shed many tears, but we have a joy and a confidence that we will see him again! God has chosen in His perfect timing to take Isaac home, and already we have seen a number of people that have come to Christ through his testimony.

Today we were given permission by the Mongolian Government to purchase a burial site in a private cemetery. Isaac will be buried next to the grave of a leading pastor in Ulaanbaatar that went to be with the Lord a few weeks ago. His widow was greatly honored to hear that Isaac would be buried by her husband.

May God bless each of you, and continue to pray for our family in this important time. Below I have pasted the text from the funeral invitation that we have begun giving out.


Mr. and Mrs. Brian Waller and family would

like to invite you to attend the funeral for:


Isaac Wallace Waller
1980 – 2005

who died on November 4th, at age 25

in volunteer service to the country of Mongolia

with the Character Training Institute of Mongolia.


The viewing and funeral will be held at

First Church, [Light of Love Christian Cultural

Center] located opposite the Ulaanbaatar

University, behind the Naran Tuulzakh.


The viewing will take place from 5:00 PM to

8:00 PM on Tuesday evening, November 8th.


The funeral and services will begin at

First Church at 10:00 AM on Wednesday

morning, November 9th.


Pictures

A number of young men from the church came to help us dig Isaac’s grave. It took over 8 hours to dig by hand through the rocky ground.

After bringing Isaac’s embalmed body from the airport, we had a special time of prayer and singing before leaving the casket at a private facility for the evening.


Please continue to pray for us in these days, and especially for the funeral services on Wednesday.

In Christ,

– Adam


Adam Waller ~ MyAllForChrist@CadLinx.com

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” – Galatians 6:9

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Isaac went home

Adam's Updates

Friday, November 4th, 2005
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Dear Family and Friends,

On Thursday, November 3, in flight with both Mom and Dad on their way to Seoul, Korea, Isaac apparently had a brain hemorrhage and peacefully slipped into unconsciousness. On November 4th, 1:30 PM, Isaac was pronounced dead at the Yonsei hospital in Seoul, Korea.

As my family and I look back over the past days and weeks, we feel that we did everything we could for Isaac in this time. His case has been evaluated by a number of skilled Korean and American doctors working in Mongolia, with additional consultation from doctors in America.

Detailed medical records, x-rays, photographs, blood tests and physical examinations failed to pinpoint the cause of the lingering infection that began in Isaac’s left leg a month ago. At the end it seemed that some type of aggressive blood disease like leukemia rapidly swept through his body.

Although he was on a plane to Korea within minutes of confirming his high blood counts, his condition deteriorated so fast that he only survived the first hour of the flight. My parents were both able to be with him during the flight, and accompanied him in the ambulance to the hospital where life support was continued.

The CAT scan taken immediately upon arrival showed the brain hemorrhage and no brain activity. Korean law prohibits removing life support from a patient, even after all brain activity has ceased, so the respirator was continued until all bodily functions had ceased on the following day.

All of the children were back in Ulaanbaatar, waiting for the news of Isaac’s arrival in Seoul. We were awakened by a phone call from my parents at 1:30 AM, and they gave us the news that Isaac is in heaven.

Derrick, Rachelle, David, Sarah and I had a tearful time of sharing and praying together, and then we went back to our rooms to try to rest until morning.

At 6:00 AM, we woke the younger children, and gathering everyone together, we shared the news with them. Again there were many tears as the full realization slowly began to set in. We are so grateful for the comfort of knowing that Isaac is with Jesus, but we will still miss him.

The love of our Christian friends here has been overwhelming. Many have come to spend time with us and share words of comfort. People are bringing meals, taking the younger ones outside to play, and helping in any way that they can.

Mom and Dad were able to be with Isaac through this whole time, and are making preparations to return to Mongolia with Isaac’s body. At this point Mom and Dad feel it would be best to hold a funeral here on Wednesday, and to hold a State-side memorial service at a future date.

Korean friends and missionaries here have put Mom and Dad in touch with some Christian families in Seoul, and these new friends are providing meals, housing and a cell phone for Mom and Dad to use during their stay. They are currently planning to fly back to Mongolia tomorrow afternoon, and then we will all be together again.

God has given us much comfort in this time through His Word and Christian friends here, and while we deeply feel the loss of Isaac, we know that God has a plan and purpose through all of this. Sometime later I would like to share about some of the things we see God doing through this experience.

Please continue to pray for us in this time. There are so many details to work out, decisions to make, and the need to spend time with each other. Many of us are physically and emotionally weary, but God is giving the strength to go on.

May God bless each one of you, and I will try to keep you posted as things move forward.

In Christ,

– Adam


Adam Waller ~ MyAllForChrist@CadLinx.com

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” – Galatians 6:9

A family picture at Sarah’s birthday on October 15th. Isaac is in the back row, second from right.

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Isaac very sick, evacuated to Korea

Adam's Updates

Thursday, November 3rd, 2005
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Dear Family and Friends,

A few hours ago Isaac, Mom and Dad left on Korean Airlines for an emergency medical evacuation to Seoul, Korea. Isaac has been on bedrest for over a month, with what began as an infection in his foot. While this seems to be slowly improving, last night his condition became much worse, with intense pain in the kidneys, fever, headache and constant bleeding.

By 5:00 AM we were getting very concerned. Isaac’s condition was getting worse. Dr. Choi, a most gracious Korean doctor friend awoke to our emergency call and arrived a few minutes later to evaluate Isaac’s condition. As soon as we could, we took Isaac in to have some blood tests done.

In the early afternoon we received a call from Dr. Choi who was evaluating Isaac’s results as they were verified. The news was very serious. A white blood cell count for a healthy person is normally 5,000 – 10,000. Isaac’s came back with a count of 375,000. Additionally, his platelet count had dropped from 453 to 100.

Dr. Choi advised us to get a flight as soon as possible for Isaac to go to a better hospital in Korea or Beijing for a bone marrow biopsy and further testing. After consulting with three other American doctors, we began looking for the next possible flight that we could send Isaac on.

Learning at about 4:10 PM that there was a Korean Air flight leaving at 5:20 PM, we worked to make these arrangements as fast as possible. I quickly packed a bag, and Derrick and I carried Isaac down to a waiting taxi. After a brief but tearful goodbye, they took off to reach the airport before the plane left.

In another taxi, Tim and a couple others were at the Korean Air office, buying the tickets, and racing off to meet Isaac at the airport a few minutes before the plane was scheduled to take off. The Lord most graciously allowed all the details to come together, and the airline held the plane for a few minutes longer so Isaac, Mom and Dad could be rushed on board.

Things were happening so fast that it was hard to know what was going on. Eventually all the details filtered down to know that Isaac, Mom and Dad were on their way to Korea, and potentially on to Minneapolis MN. Isaac was in very good spirits as he left, and we are rejoicing in the many details that God worked out for him to make the flight.

The nine of us children met in the living room together to spend some time in prayer. There were many tears, and many unknowns, but we are confident that God is working through this time. We know that our Loving Heavenly Father only gives good gifts to His children. God is working all things together for good.

At another family meeting together this evening, we are beginning to see God’s hand so clearly in this most unexpected series of events. Already the airport security, taxi drivers and others have commented on the love that they have seen.

We feel in ourselves such a peace and calm in the midst of the storm. It is the miracle of God’s grace. God is giving us strength and grace for today, and I know that He will give grace for the tomorrows. Just this morning I read the verse in Psalm 112 that says “Unto the upright, there ariseth light in the darkness…” We have such a blessed hope and confidence! May God use us to brightly shine His light during this time.

Please continue to pray for us in these days. I will work to keep you informed daily as we hear updates on Isaac. You can reach us by e-mail at this address. I don’t know that I will be able to respond immediately, but know that we really appreciate your prayers and I will pass on your encouragement to the family here.

God bless you, and I will work to write again soon!


Praise Points:

– The incredible timing in the flight arrangements for Isaac. The three of them were able to fly to Seoul last moment (literally) for $1200, instead of tens of thousands for a life-flight.

– The great peace and calm that we each feel. We really feel God’s grace in answer to your prayers!

Prayer Requests:

– That God would be glorified through this opportunity to show forth the power of His grace to all those that we contact in the days to come.

– That Isaac would be preserved to reach the hospital and that God would give the doctors great wisdom as they seek to help him in this time.

– Strength and wisdom for Mom and Dad as they spend these next hours and days with Isaac. Pray for wisdom in the timing of a flight to Minnesota, and for abundant grace in this time of need.

– For the nine Waller children that remain in Mongolia. Again, God has so uniquely prepared us for this time, but we need God’s grace for the days ahead.


Pictures:

A picture of Isaac just before we carried him down to the taxi.

A flurry of last minute details, phone calls and tearful goodbyes as Isaac and my parents leave for the airport.


Thank you so much for your prayers for Isaac and my family in this time! We really appreciate each one of you!

In Christ,

– Adam


Adam Waller ~ MyAllForChrist@CadLinx.com

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” – Galatians 6:9

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