These letters chronicle the days preceding, during and after Mike's illness and death. The reader will notice an obvious roller coaster effect where some days seemed filled with hope and others with resignation to his complete demise.
Mainly, these letters should lend insight to God's faithfulness to one extremely wounded widow. Hopefully the reader will detect an overriding sense of hope as the ministry work in Africa is never set aside but increases with great hope for future exponential growth for the glory of God.
ear Mr. and Mrs. Gates: We are truly thankful for your very gracious gifts to our work in Uganda. It is there that we are able to take children and adults who would otherwise have no opportunity to grow intellectually and socially and by way of your computers, give them direction, hope and equip them to serve their own country.
We are proud of the way you give of your resources. You are truly great Americans and we boldly stand with you in your efforts to improve a hurting world.
We have been out in very remote villages of Africa and there we see large banners announcing the inoculation program for children of the village. And there amongst other organizations is your name. And we tell our friends, "Bill and Melinda Gates are our neighbors in Bellevue, in fact just last week Melinda came over to borrow a cup of sugar."
Dear Anybody: Is there someone out there that can speak reason to this man? His carotid artery is narrowed to the extent where the blood can't reach the brain fast enough, BUT we are leaving Thurs. to go for 6 days to Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, with Lumalas. There's nothing I can say. He says I'm selfish to even bring it up. He has chosen to have surgery AFTER we return. Who in this whole wide world would put first things last but Mike Meaney. MKHM
There is no way except in eternity to know just how broadly the good effects of computer learning will enhance these people's lives. God bless you and all you do.
We are faithful servants, Dr. Marie H. Meaney and Michael H. Meaney
Dear Francis: Mike's surgery is over. It went well. There was no nerve damage done and we are praising God for the miracle of modern medicine. Please express our appreciation to the children for all their prayers. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availed much. Love, Jajja Marie. When he comes home he can call
you.
Dear Alex: I am in crisis today as Mike has been out of his head for the last day, is just put on a respirator and antibiotics for pneumonia. He's been in ICU at U. W. for 4 days. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me." Humble and heart broken, Marie Katherine
Marilyn: Mike is only hanging on. He's on a respirator and his organs are failing. It breaks my heart to see him like this. Love, Marie.
Dear Friends:
It has been over one week since Mike's surgery on his neck. The surgery was very difficult according to the surgeon, but successful. Today the wound is dry and healing nicely. For nine days now Mike has been in the Intensive Care Unit at the University of Washington Medical Centre. A myriad of doctors, nurses, specialists have worked valiantly to keep him alive.
Very soon after surgery Mike was hit with septic shock. His lungs were collapsed, filled with fluid and pneumonia. His blood pressure was dropping to the extent where he was beginning to go into renal failure. On top of all this the second day he experienced what is called ICU psychosis. Basically he went insane and I can't tell you how this broke my heart. His heart, which has had congestive heart failure, has been working very effectively with cardiologists closely watching. Because he couldn't breathe on his own he has been on a
respirator all this time. The last 2 days they tried to get him to breathe. He did for 20 minutes, and then 3 hours yesterday.
The good news is that the antibiotics are fighting the pneumonia and his lungs are clearing. His blood pressure which was dangerously low is up to normal now and thus the kidneys can function better. The fluids are draining from his body. The worst part for Mike is that because of the tube in his throat he cannot speak, and he's frustrated as we can well imagine. This has been a very difficult time for our whole family. On Sunday I was sure we were losing him. We laid hands on him and dedicated his life to God and asked the Holy Spirit to implore for us to the Father to give life to our father and husband. And so we wait and pray each day. The last two days I have worn my party dress and all the Masaii bling for his coming out party (respirator) but it has not happened yet. I feel like I'm in a bad dream and can't wake up. The personnel at the hospital are fantastic with the exception of one very efficient nurse who Loi calls Nurse Grinch. We are even thankful for Nurse Grinch.
It is my privilege and joy, although suppressed through tears these days, to serve, care for and love Mike Meaney.
Thank you for all your caring and prayers. Marie Katherine Hewett Meaney.
Dear Brian and Tom: Sending you an update on Mike. He's only alive because God needs him still here on earth. Lovingly, Marie.
Dear Friends: Our little 5 year old friend Tendo Lumala asks his mom, "Why is God taking so long to heal Jaja Mike?"
My sentiments exactly Tendo. Hopefully we can seize this opportunity to learn about God's perfect will and divine providence - heady topics for a 5 year old, and a 71 year old (me)
On Friday, a family conference with the head doctor, a pulmonary specialist, explained the high risk of Mike's condition. He has much infection in his lungs and at surgical sites. He stated that people who remain on ventilation life support for over 5 days, have less than a 5% chance of returning home. Mike has been on life support since September 17th. This morning (Sat.) they put him on the weaning process for 12 hours. This means they are training his brain to initiate the breath. The machine senses if he is struggling and provides the proper amount of oxygen. This a.m. his infections were much improved.
Now you must know that this facility, the Regional Hospital by the airport, takes that group of people with only 5% hope and measures, monitors and meets their needs for getting off the ventilator.
Imagine, that place has been there for decades. I didn't even know such a place existed on planet earth. And it's only 30 minutes from home. Mike and I keep thanking God for such a hospital. In all the nation they rank highest for rehabilitating 80% of their patients.
Wow, those are good odds!
I was personally very disturbed when Mike rejected any of our attempts to listen to music. Last week we prayed specifically for this and he now listens to his repertoire, from Welsh men's choirs to Beethoven and beyond. Praise God! Thursday evening Timothy, our son, brought the 3 Wiseman to sing. All the staff and patients and especially Mike were blessed. It served as a definite display of God's glory.
A Poem of Love and Adoration from Marie to Mike
My love, my Michael, we knew it at the start, the day I first laid eyes on you, I knew you stole my heart.
Our marriage pledge of 50 years has sealed redemption's sign. You the
bridegroom, I, the bride, Its symbols all divine.
Through ups and downs, through left, then right, we stayed as one, the bond IS tight.
The call God place upon our lives, he still has gifted, side by side, to reach His purpose, glorified.
Now draw us closer, if that could be, with God the glue, the energy
To use each moment fitfully, in service true, and joyfully.
I Love You, Marie Katherine Hewett Meaney
Today, Monday October 25th, 2010 when I arrived at Regional Hospital, Mike was sitting up in a chair. His hair and body had just been newly washed and he looked like a little boy with a new hairdo. He had a big smile on his face. He had been on weaning for 16 hours each the last 2 days. He used a bed pan for the first time in weeks, The lip reader, came Consuela, came to read Mike's lips to me, so we could know what's in his deepest thoughts. She asked, "what’s the most important thing you need to tell us?' He replied, "Water, a tall glass of ice water to drink". Well that will happen someday soon, but not today. Number 2 of what's most important to him was Jesus, He is so blessed and thankful for the life God has given him in this hospital. Number 3 was Marie and family. Number 4 was to sit in the glasshouse, hold Marie's hand, listen to music and read a book.
Then he went on to tell Consuela about the children in Africa. He again stated he would be there in January or February. I reminded him we will be grateful to have him in Bellevue. He explained to Consuela about the disabled children, and how he loves them to crawl all over him.
Then she asked him what his feeling were at the moment. He stated that he was sad that life had gone ahead without him while he was just lying in bed. He was sad that he couldn’t be around with his family.
But he was blessed to have all the fantastic people who work at Regional Hospital.
After 2 hours of sitting up and talking so much he was tired so they used the "Cow fell in the ditch lift" to put him back in bed and went to sleep.
His greatest joy from yesterday was all the friends who came to visit him and the wonderful headphones Jeff brought that enable him to listen to his music.
Dear Alex: I am surviving the most rigorous days of my life. Keeping Mike alive is a full time job. He's been gone for over 6 weeks and won't be home for a very long time, but I think he will make it. Since he can't talk we can only communicate through the lip reader and an occasional note, when I can decipher his writing. He has been a trooper and remained the dear and funny man that we all love, in spite of being trapped in his prison.
The rehab hosp. he is at is remarkable and truly miraculous. He will have one more story to tell to the world when/if he returns from this. Sorry you had to read; well you didn't HAVE to read the generic letter I send to my friends. Just file it and consider the source. Hope your life is going well. Have you found a buyer? Are you feeling well? Are you happy?
I am doing very well. As you know I am very strong of body and spirit. My friends and family are terrific and the 2 little dogs keep me company at night.
It’s a gorgeous sunny clear day and the mountains are all topped with a dusting of snow that makes them stand out and reveal their glory. Humbly hanging in there and thankful for good insurance for Mike which is now well over half a mill. Marie Katherine.
Dear Neil and Herta: Thanks so much for your prayers. I think he's going to make it. It will take a very long time and much grace on both our parts to endure. Lovingly, Marie.
Thank you Irma for remembering us. Right now Mike is hanging on to life by his fingernails. He has been in critical care for 6 weeks where they are trying to wean him off the ventilator. His severe pneumonia which requires heavy antibiotics has done a number on his kidneys. So for 3 days he is on dialysis. It is a terrible thing to see him "trapped" inside his body and can't talk. The container is leaving the first of December so there's not much time to spare. For 5 days he has been unconscious. He is in God's hands. Will appreciate your prayers.
Guess what? There's a little community on Military Rd. that is mostly Somalians. Today I made my first introduction to a lady who was robed in a brown silk burka standing with 2 little boys, waiting for the bus. I stopped the car, got out and went up to her and introduced myself. I told her my husband was down this very road in a hospital and he is critical. I told her we were missionaries in Africa. When I mentioned Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi etc. a huge beam of a smile spread across her face. I told her since we couldn't be in Africa now that I was coming to where Africans came to my country. And that I had a gift for her. I showed her the whole bible and a new testament with a picture of Jesus wearing a crown of thorns. I asked her if she would like the bible with the stories of Abraham, Issac and Jacob or would she prefer, and before I could say stories of Jesus she pointed to that book and said "Jesus". When I gave it to her she threw her arms around me and said "I love you". Her name is Fataah. I tried to tell the story to Mike but in case he didn't get it the first time I will gladly repeat it.
Dear Fartun: Is this a miracle that we can communicate in person, on the phone, and now on the internet? What a fabulous world we live in. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Sunday around 1:00 pm. I will take you to see my husband tomorrow at the Regional Hospital. It is only about one mile away from you. He will be very happy to meet you.
Have a blessed Saturday afternoon and evening. Lovingly, Marie
Dear Paul: Please share with Judah and Frances that if all goes well Mike will be able to talk on Tuesday. Then he has to learn to swallow and talk, and then we start slaying all the other giants which will fall in God's timing. Praise God. Pray for healing of kidneys, lungs.
This is looking like a miracle! Love, Marie
To United States Embassy in Uganda: I am requesting that you allow Pastor Paul Ssekabira to receive a visa
to visit the U.S. as soon as possible. My husband is slowly dying and I want Paul to be able to speak with him.
Paul Ssekabira has been our co-worker in Uganda for over 10 years. Our ministry, Africa Village Ministries, has been active since then. We will take responsibility for his housing and food and transportation. I need to have him arrive as soon as it is possible. When he returns is yet to be determined.
My husband, Michael H. Meaney has been on life support since September 15th. He is now at Highline Regional Hospital. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Dr. Marie H. Meaney, founder, director of Africa Village Ministries
Michael H. Meaney, born March 18th, 1940 and an anointed disciple of Jesus Christ, went home to be with his savior and Lord today.
Mike's passion for God's word bore fruit in his obedience, and his love for people, especially those who were suffering, is what we will remember him for.
"... I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places." -- Habakkuk 3:18-19
With love and thankfulness,
Marie.
Dear friends:
The Memorial Celebration Service for Mike Meaney will be on Monday, December 27th at 2:00 p.m., at Westminster Chapel in Bellevue, WA.
On behalf of my mother, Marie Meaney, my brother Tim and our entire families, I wanted to share with you the information regarding my dad's passing.
In June of this year, my parents made a ministry trip to Kampala, Uganda, delivering computers to schools, as well as assisting Pastor Paul Ssekabira at his new church in his village. They had made many trips like this to Africa, and as always, my dad - a double amputee - had his eyes peeled for people who were hurting, and he was also looking into medical facilities where disabled people could get help. As they were driving along a road, they spotted a man who was walking with great difficulty. My parents immediately stopped, and the man was called over. As he always did, my dad pulled up his pant leg so the crippled man--who was named Emmanuel--could see that he had no feet, but metal prosthetics.
"I have trouble walking, too," my dad said through a translator. "God has sent me all the way from America to tell you that he loves you." He made it clear to Emmanuel that their meeting was no accident. It turned out that Emmanuel had his leg badly injured when he was hit by a car, but had never had any medical attention. Before they parted, my dad had made arrangements for Emmanuel to travel from his remote village to Kampala, and to receive medical care for his leg. A typical day's work in Africa for Mike Meaney.
That final interaction with a disabled African person was the epitome of what drove my dad. Loving other people was his passion, and his family were direct recipients as well.
Upon returning from this trip to Africa, my dad's strength began to fail dramatically. He was barely able to make it from one end of the house to the other without passing out, and he began to fall more regularly. As you may know, my father suffered from adult-onset diabetes, and the grave impact this disease has on all organs of the body was increasing. Then it was discovered that he had a major blockage in his carotid artery, and his doctor told him it posed a serious risk for stroke, and that it needed to be cleared out.
On September 15, the doctor operated at the University of Washington Medical Center, and the surgery was essentially successful. However, soon after his surgery, he developed pneumonia, and needed to be put
on a ventilator. Within a few weeks, he had a tracheotomy to replace the tube in his throat. At the same time, he was being treated with antibiotics to stave off infection.
This entire time, my dad was unable to speak aloud, although he was able to mouth words, and write some. In fact, he did not speak aloud again before he died. That was perhaps the most painful element of this whole journey. My dad loved to speak words of love, and he was just as good at showing his love verbally as through his many actions.
Once it seemed that my dad was out of the woods with his infections, there was still the issue of the ventilator. After having a machine do the breathing for several weeks, it is almost impossible to get off a ventilator without special therapy. So, about one month after his surgery, my dad went to Highline Regional Hospital near Sea-Tac airport. This hospital specializes in cases such as my dad's, and we are very grateful that it was available.
Unfortunately, an additional battle my dad was now facing was kidney failure. Between diabetes and the likely effects of very strong antibiotics for his infections, my dad's kidney function was now very poor. So, shortly after the respiratory therapists started to wean him from the ventilator, he began to undergo regular dialysis. Right at about the time his kidneys started to fail, my dad began to lose his lucidity. Also, because of the medication given to him to help assist his breathing, he was seldom conscious. However, we continued to visit him (my mother generally drove from Bellevue to Sea-Tac twice a day to visit), and the therapy to wean him from the ventilator continued. For a period of time, he was making pretty good progress, but just when we thought he was on his way, he started to deteriorate further.
At this point, his doctors simply attempted to stabilize him and get him past his constant infections. This did not go well, and my dad spent even less time conscious. When he was conscious, he didn't seem to know where he was or even who some family members were. It was clear that he was not getting better, but worse. Then, on December 1st, we had a heartbreaking meeting with his doctor and respiratory therapist.
At this meeting, we talked about what was clear: my dad would probably not recover. Approximately one week later, my dad was being given dialysis, when his blood pressure dropped dangerously low. Dialysis was aborted. Without dialysis, toxins would simply accumulate in his system, and kill him. However, it also seemed that the dialysis would kill him as well.
We made several tearful visits to see my dad in the next two days, always wanting to see the real Mike, the father we had known for our entire lives. In his last days, there were several old friends who visited him for the first time in the hospital and who elicited distinct responses from my dad.
The last day of my dad's life was Saturday, December 11. Our entire family gathered in his room, along with some very close friends. There were guitars and singing of both Christmas carols and hymns. We all said goodbye to our beloved father, husband and friend as best as we could. The only word I can use to describe those moments is intense.
When my dad was still lucid, he made it clear to me that his primary concern was my mother, Marie. She could not bring herself to be there when he died, so I left with her. In what my brother Tim and I consider the most heroic act of love either of us have ever personally witnessed, my wife Lisa, and Tim's wife Tiffany, joyfully volunteered to stay with my dad until the end. Please understand the difference here between joy and happiness. It did not make them happy to witness the end of their father-in-law's life, but it filled them with joy to serve Mike Meaney and his family in this way and to be there when my dad's life on earth ended. They knew that his next action would be to open his eyes and look directly into the face of his savior.
Except for Tiffany and Lisa, we had all left his room just after 3:30. Sometime between 5:00 and 5:20 my dad's heart stopped.
Nothing can prepare you for this experience.
An element of my father's death that I can describe only as incredible is regarding one of my dad's closest friends, Archie Cress. Our families have known each other for over 50 years, and somehow our parents always ended up being next-door neighbors. Tim's and my family are very close to the Cress family as well. At the same time that my dad was fighting for his life, Archie's heart problems were accelerating. The last time I saw Archie, about a week ago, he was in a wheelchair, but looked like the good old Archie I have known my entire life. "You look great!" I said to him. "Looks can be deceiving," he answered with a bit of a smile. Less than 24 hours after my father died, Archie's heart failed and he died in his home.
It boggles my mind to imagine that reunion, but it appears that death will have failed to separate these long-time buddies.
This message is already much too long, but I wanted to answer the questions that so many of you will have.
The last thing I have to say is that this has been a time of friends and acquaintances coming out of the woodwork to support us. I never would have guessed that someone saying "I'm sorry, I heard about Mike. We have been praying for you" could bring such comfort and joy. Many have come alongside for the entire journey, visiting my dad in the hospital, attending to us, and spending time with my mother. I can't even begin to tell you the massive impact this has had on our hearts.
Thank you very much for your calls, email messages and text messages. Every single one is cherished. We will probably do an imperfect job of acknowledging everyone, but please be assured that they brought us comfort and joy.
So, along with the profound sadness that comes from saying goodbye to someone we have lived with and loved for so long, comes great joy, knowing how loved we are, and how much our father was loved.
Thankfully for this world, my father left more than his share of fingerprints. He left fingerprints on the hearts of beggars in Africa who now have wheelchairs and no longer have to literally drag themselves along on the ground. He left them on the hearts of his family, who have a love for serving other people. And he left his
fingerprints on his well-worn Bible, where he came to know the source of his strength.
With love and gratitude,
Jeff Meaney, for our entire family
Marie Meaney
Tim Meaney
Lisa Meaney
Tiffany Meaney
Sam Meaney
Tommy Meaney
T.J. Meaney
Jake Meaney
Dearest Dr. Marie,
What to do after Mike! We only have to live on with his legacy.
To me, you have been and you are still a mentor since 2006. You and my beloved Mike. I cannot stop to imagine how the two of held us together, encouraging us and uplifting us. Since 2007 when things went bad in the various ministries here and in the US, you and Mike handled things differently. My heart by then had sunk into a deep hole but God used you, Mike and Laurena to make us feel loved and comforted.
Then God chose to take my beloved Mike at a time when we most needed him. At a time when Mike here the great news from his toils. Personally, I was struck somehow. But now i get stronger whenever i remember that you are still there for me and for JTM. You are the very image of Mike and i know that you still represent his works.
Sometimes we forget that Mike has left us. It would be very helpful if Mike was here and he witnessed the events which are unfolding in our lives, work, school, and ministry. You and Mike had known Uganda and understood much how it all goes here. I trust God that HE had given you and your husband the ability to quickly discern what would come out any matter you would quickly advise because you have a mixture of Ugandan and American blood.
My only prayer is that i get to see you and give you a welcome hug; perhaps God will help me cry the tears of a man. May be that way only I will feel relieved.
Thank you for loving me and JTM. Thank you very much for continuously praying for JTM development for wishing the very best for us and JTM as if it were your very own yet not even a coin is paid to you for your efforts. The rewarder is just above your house there in America where you stay.
May the good Lord keep and protect you as you continue to love and serve him in grace.
Loving you,
Judah
Dear Alex: Thank you for your mercy extended to me by speaking with me last night. There is one little letter(s) which separates apologetic from apologetics. And therein lies a world of different meanings. In no way do I way apologize for my faith. Apologetics is the systematic discipline, something akin to astronomy, geology, physics, that argues in defense of Christian authority. Thus the school is named Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics (OCCA)
Probably not the kind you will be using in the next few days, months or years. Monday and Tuesday I fasted and prayed for you and your retirement. For me I asked God to send me a Valentine of sorts. I wondered if it was the new See's candy store close by, the big sale at the party store for red heart balloons. Maybe I would be adopting some kids. Then I received an e-mail from our missions’ pastor saying on Feb 20th he would like our family to be present to receive a legacy gift for the lifetime service of Mike Meaney.
But no, that was just part of it. Today my friend Dianne came over for 3 hours. We talked, prayed, cried, blessed each other and empowered me to ward off the extreme grief I'm experiencing. It was miraculous.
This February 14th will be the 52nd year I've received a valentine from my darling Michael. it was on that very day that I first met him. And he never went one year without reaffirming his love for me with some token of affection. After 52 years of Valentines, Christmases, birthdays, anniversaries he always said, "What in the world can I get you since you already have everything in the world?" My answer, "Bigger diamonds"
Dear Friends:
It was 52 days ago that my beloved husband of over 50 years, Michael, went home to be with his Lord and Savior. Your messages of consolation and many loving gestures sent my way, have blessed me. My friends and family have undergirded and encouraged me in spiritual disciplines.
The tsunami of grief envelops and overwhelms one by the trauma of observing a loved one's painfully slow demise. Then in its retreat the wave tears out your heart and nearly kills the spirit leaving a destructive path of brokenness in your body and soul. God's daily graces promised in His Word, extend multiple mercies to see me through each day (Lam. 3:22, 23), supplying a spiritual lift, light and new life (Is.40:31)
Following Mike's example of being constant in the Word has strengthened me. Clinging to, trusting in, memorizing and articulating praises OUTLOUD assures to me the angels can observe it and report to Mike. Results are grief replaced with joy; fear replaced with peace; anxiety replaced with contentment.
You can view Mike's memorial service on our website www.africavillageministries.org, or on the internet http://vimeo.com/18347778. Our original Africa Village Ministries website "crashed" when Mike died. I suspect he took this with him to heaven along with all our essential passwords. The existing web address has only news of Mike's home going. Lord willing it will be restored very soon.
This June I will be traveling back to Africa with my team members. Upon returning I will remain in England to attend a course at Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics (Ravi Zacharius). There are many exciting plans for the future of Africa Village Ministries. You will soon receive a letter explaining specifics. Praise God!
Resting in God's sufficiency, Marie Meaney
Every day when Mike was in the hospital I sang to him this song with my pathetic little mouse voice. I leaned my head next to his and spoke into his ear.
My Jesus I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
I'll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow;
If ever I loved Thee, Jesus, 'tis now.
In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
William Featherstone
Though Mike could not speak I always knew what he wanted to say. In his days at the hospital, when he was lucid, he always held his hand out to the people who entered his room. It was a gesture usually unnoticed by the person, but I quickly brought it to their attention by saying, "Mike wants to take your hand. He has two things to tell you. First he thanks you for cleaning his room and taking such good care of his body, but most important he wants to tell you that Jesus loves you".
Dear Friends and Family:
This poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay was very meaningful to me because it articulated so clearly to my soul how I felt about losing my Beloved Michael. I especially appreciated her emotional response which bordered on denial, but yet held on to the reality of the separation of the loved one. It was beautifully composed and was exactly what I would have said, but she said it first. And so I give her credit for it but am left with a huge empty sense because she has no eternal hope. Thus I have written my own response to it. Sorry Edna.
DIRGE WITHOUT MUSIC
Edna St. Vince Millay
I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground.
So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been, time out of mind;
Into the darkness they go, wise and lovely, Crowned
With lilies and with laurel they go, but I am not resigned.
Lovers and thinkers, into the earth with you.
Be one with the dull, the indiscriminate dust.
A fragment of what you felt, of what you knew.
A formula, a phrase remains, - but the best is lost.
The answers quick and keen, the honest look, the laughter, the love.
They are gone. They have gone to feed the roses. Elegant and curled
Is the blossom. Fragrant is the blossom. I know. But I do not approve.
More precious was the light in your eyes than all the roses in the world.
Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave
Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.
An answer to Edna St. Vincent Millay's DIRGE WITHOUT MUSIC
Resigned I am to earthly grief, but looking upward, 'tis heav'n relief.
Insures the promised gift - redemption sure.
From dust to glory, the Word makes clear.
The end of days need not be the end of me.
In only time and years I'll be with thee.
And all the tears of memories gone,
Replaced with crowns, victorious throng.
The best is not lost, but proves glorious,
The intellect, the lover, wit will be perfected, not unfit
To bring in praise to Jesus' feet.
To this I am resigned, though for now, I don't approve.
I pray so soon to meet my Lord, my love, ne'r to remove.
Oh glorious hope! I know. I approve. I am resigned.
Marie Katherine Hewett Meaney March 6, 2011
It has been 4 months since my Beloved Michael went to be with his Lord and Savior. God has provided the wherewithal for me to continue Mike's work in Africa to win people to Jesus and facilitate disabled people
to receive the help they need. Praise God!
Isaiah 54:4 Remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. Your Maker is your husband. Lord Almighty is his name. Our team (Bob and Laurena Huber, Loi and Mukisa Lumala, Beverly Marquez) will depart for Uganda on June 20th. I will arrive home on July 27th, afer completing my course at Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. Our agenda in Uganda includes:
These last 7 months have been tumultuous, but concomitantly God's blessings have reigned over AVM's plans for the future. This includes taking one previously wounded and broken widow and making gradual; restoration. It is my personal testimony that by God's mercies grace and love He is healing my wounds. Claiming His promises as a daily practice has been essential. Allowing and inviting the Holy Spirit to indwell every part of this living sacrifice has brought new life. Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ is my innermost desire. Meditating on, memorizing and feasting on the Word is spiritual nutrition and energy.
I thank you dear faithful friends for your prayers for me and your generous support of God's work through AVM. Glory be to Him and may some of this good news be observed by the great cloud of witnesses watching me/us. And maybe they could just take this good news message to Mr. Michael H. Meaney in heaven. (If you can find that concept in scripture, let me know where)
With much gratitude and affection, Marie Katherine
Garden Flowers For My Love, a Sad Poem by Marie Meaney
Recurring waves of flora come from day to day,
To bring to him their fine display,
Of fragrance, form and colors pure,
A gift of bounteous garden's year,
Each week, the finest garden blooms,
I'd cut and bring into his room.
I'd set them on his desk so near,
To admire the shapes and colors dear,
The fragrance lofted high above,
A symbol of half-century's love.
There is no one for whom I glean
The flowers for, so sad it seems,
But just for me I pick,
To fulfill love's long lost dreams.
Dear Heidi: Do you remember when my husband Michael and I visited you about one decade ago. We sat in your office and discussed the idea of taking the Africa Village Kits to villages around Maputo. At the time
Steve Lazar helped facilitate the establishment of a Resource Classroom. We did lots of training. Our attempt to get a container was totally obliterated by very convoluted circumstances.
We felt God had closed the door for us in Mozambique and we proceeded to Uganda where we have been established for 12 years. On December 11th of 2010 Mike went home to be with his Lord and Savior. Today I am carrying on our work in Uganda, but God has spoken to me about enlarging the work so as to affect each country in sub-Saharan Africa. I have a plan which I would like to share with you and Steve when you have time.
All I need is your experience and smarts and contacts. I will gather the workers, resources and projects. I'm thinking in terms of regions so that I can train "clumps" of teachers and pastors together for a week at a time. Don't think I have the stamina to hit every nation before I die.
My love to you and Rolland and all the other precious people doing God's work there.
Lovingly, Marie Meaney
Dear Leonard: I'm just looking back at the e-mail you sent me Jan 16th. I have been through the valley of not the shadow, but death itself, since then. As you know my beloved Michael went to be with his Lord and Savior Dec 11th. God is moving in my heart to take the idea of the Resource Classroom to the whole of sub-Saharan Africa. The model for it and the work of Africa Village Ministries has been established, piloted and evaluated in Uganda where we have worked for the last 13 years.
I want ,by God's resources to establish this same idea in each country of sub-Saharan Africa. Can you help me to do it in your region? Do you know the people of Africa Bible College in Llongwe, with Justin Majawa? These people know me. I have been there with them. Maybe we can work together. This is in God's hands and I now need people on the ground to get it started.
My website is still down but Lord willing will be up soon. On it is the whole design for the Africa Resource Classroom. The other components besides education are village evangelism and disabilities. That is, finding the disabled whom we can help with surgeries, equipment, training, etc.
Thank you for considering these ideas. Marie Meaney
Lord, before my feet touch the floor, infuse my entire body with your H.S. Take my feet and lead them to walk in your paths of righteousness. Direct them to places where people need you and I can show them how to know you. Take my hands as they work for you this day. May their many skills bring you glory, reach out to connect with other hands to fulfill the vision you've given us. (Mike and Marie)
Take my ears and eyes. Let them hear and see the bounty you provide for our nurture, joy and service. Take my lips to sing your praise and articulate your blessings and abundance freely given. Above all, take my mind, my thoughts and keep them clean of worldly influences. Make it keen to process your WORD. Cast out all memories, ideas, fantasies, schemes that don't exalt God. Bring captive all imaginations, passions, intellect and emotions to the obedience of Christ.
Bind the enemy and his wiles. Keep the hedge intact. Amen