A special heritage

Dear Sheila and all of the "Family Robert Foster," 

It seems difficult to think of our world without your very special Dad, Dr. Bob, sharing it with us.

For  each of you, I imagine the hole that is left in your heart is still raw and weeping  around the edges and

you may often or occasionally, be ambushed by tears, at the most unexpected times and places.

For all of the expected and unexpected conflicting emotions that swirl around in your heart and mind and

thoughts, may you find still, that Jesus is in the midst with you, sharing all of it with you.   Do take proper time

to grieve - no matter how sure you are of meeting again and all that we Christians, tend to keep a 'stiff upper lip'

about. 

There is no doubt about it, your father was unique in his calling and commitment and dedication and sheer physical power

to achieve all that Father God had equipped and prepared him to do.   He accomplished in one lifetime  what perhaps

4 missionaries in other times and places accomplished.    And all with such a humble and patient spirit, even though

he seemed to be an A personality?.

God certainly used him to channel and inspire a good number of young people into the mission field.

For all of us who served in Northern Rhodesia /Zambia, we were blessed to have his life touch ours.

I well remember the days when he would come down to Luampa from Mukinge for a week at a time, in the

hottest part of the year, and seemed never to stop from early morning breakfast with Gray and me at our home to

the end of the day.   Those were the days when he had to work out of our rather bush style clinic.   He was able to

operate in the most primitive of conditions without a complaint.

Still in the midst of this sort of activity, by a "powerful machine", whenever we had the reason to visit Mukinge,

(mostly due to surgery for me!? - Help!)  it was always both charming and challenging, to be present at your table and

witness the Family Devotions.   As an outsider looking on, he seemed to be such a loving, nurturing father and husband,

who was always a step ahead of any felt need.,

Can you imagine the sort of Welcome Home he has had!?

It is quite special that you are mostly all there and able to gather around in support of your Mother.   She too is

a special lady indeed, and especially chosen  from before her birth, to be the one equipped and nurtured to be a true

helpmeet to your Dad.   I  have always greatly admired your Mother, Belva.

May God bless you all, each, each, (as Ba Kasonso use to say), as you each continue on, serving Abba Father in the same

joyful, innovative way that your parents have. 

With my love and fond memories of you,

Mary Watson