In early 2009, Richard and I attended a prayer & worship meeting at Metro Church; continuing to ask the Lord to heal him from esophageal, stage 4, cancer. At one point, Richard got up and was looking for something to write on…it appeared he had to write something down quickly. After searching for paper and pen, the only thing he could find was a brown paper bag.
On it, he wrote the following note to his Heavenly Father; a truly transparent letter that I treasure to this day and keep tucked inside Richard’s bible. On this, the 3rd anniversary of Richard’s Home-going to Heaven, I’d like to share with all of you:
A Letter to God from Richard Felipe, 2009:
Your grace is enough for me. But shall I not indulge in all of Your goodness, such as healing and long life? To live is Christ and to die is gain. It’s a win win…
So we fight to live, to serve, to participate in the manifestation of Your movement; to enter into a place where my heart breaks with the things that break Your heart. Share it with me, Lord. Share the pain and joy.
My temple is Your temple. I’m put as a steward only. Ooops, Sorry Dad, it got broken. Can You fix it or give me a new one? I’ll try and do better next time. If we have time?
Teach me, reveal Yourself to me in this pain. Don’t take it away if or until You teach me what You want to teach me. Holy Spirit, you’re a great teacher.
So, I got to believe there is an awesome lesson hidden here; an amazing treasure that is guarded by a huge fortress that is feared by all. What’s behind it Lord? What Your secret, Father? It’s a special facet of your heart. Knowing You- it is an amazing treasure worth selling everything to obtain the field where it is buried. You do not have to show me Your wonders for me to know how wonderful You are. You don’t have to show me Your might for me to know You are mighty. You don’t even have to heal me to prove You love me. You don’t have to show me signs and wonders for me to know You can.
What the enemy has purposed for death and destruction, God can turn beauty from ashes, weakness to strength, shame to glory, despair to hope, sadness to joy, weakness to strength.
I miss you Richard, and I had a sudden thought to Google your name today. You forever have changed my life, and have shown me what a man and father of faith looks like. (something I aspire to be everyday) You are what a man of God truly looks like. Shine down on us from that great yacht in the sky.
I was a roommate of Richard in mid 2006. I lived with him for around 8 months until I could afford to go out on my own. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life.
God Speed
Richard I thank you for your kindness that you shared with me in your journey while here on earth , I also miss you my brother , I always got a ” Christmas ” card from you and the gang !!!! ( JEANJUNGLE ) I want you to know your life on earth was well lived as a true servent of god !! I know it has helped me to be a better person today and live my life the way that our god would want of me ” My prayers will always be with your family may god bless each of you !!! As children brings there broken toy’s with tears for us to mend. I brought my broken dreams to god because he was my friend But then instead of leaving him in peace to work alone I hung around and tried to help with ways that were my own. At last I snatched them back and cried , How could you be so slow ” – My Child ” He said what could I do ? You never did let go ” MAY THE LORD BLESS EACH OF YOU Kevin Teter 2013
Richard I also miss you !!! I always recieved a Christmas card from you and the gang (Jean Jungle) I thank god for your time here on earth as you were a true servent of his way of life that you shared with me that has helped me to walk in that same path that you also walked !!! I know you would be proud that Saton lost again !!!! I know your in a much better place ‘ with no more pain , may my prayers be with your family for our loss of a true man of god !!!! As Children bring there broken toy’s With tears for us to mend. I brought my broken dreams to God , because he is my friend. But then instead of leaving him, in peace to work alone, I hung around and tried to help with ways that were my own . At last I snatched them back and cried, How could you be so slow” – ” My child ” He said What could I do ? You never did let go !!!! Kevin Teter 2013