Sweet Sister Tee is Meeting Jesus

 I wrote a blog yesterday but wasn't really pleased with how it sounded so I didn't post it yet. 
This morning, we got the call that Tee, Veasna's mother, died.  If you remember, Veasna is the man who worked with Rich at CBI since December 2012.   Just about a year ago, he moved to the village of his in-laws.
Veasna converted his mother about 10 years ago.  She was a sweet lady.  Tee has not been in good health for several years.  She had diabetes as well as some heart issues.  About two years ago, they told her that the only way they could really help her was to "exchange her blood" (dialysis).  The family opted not to do that.  She had gone blind as well as deaf and had difficulty getting around at all.  But even with all of that, she loved getting to come worship with the church family on Sundays.  And now, she is seeing Jesus' face (can you image how incredibly awesome that must be!!)

I thought you might be interested in the process here.  As Tee's other son was a Buddhist as well as the rest of her family, they had a Buddhist ceremony for her at the temple.
After preparing the body and doing the chanting (this was done all morning) with the family, her body was placed in a casket.  Then, with the family leading, we walked around the crematorium 3 times.  (If you have a body at a house, you then walk or ride, following the vehicle with the body to the temple.)

This is a picture of the casket after walking the 3 times around.

 Then the monks came and they chanted beside with casket.  The family was on the other side of the casket.

 After they finished their chants, the family then gave the monks gifts, and then the monks left.

They took the top off the casket and removed the cloth covering Tee's face for the family to have one last moment.

 Then, the casket is carried and placed into the crematorium.

Once the casket is inside, they place monk's robes around the sides and pour gasoline over the robes.  (At least that is what it looked like)

 The monk, shown here on the left, then gave Veasna and his brother candles and they lit the flame.

This is view of the casket in the crematorium.

 This is Tee.  She was a sweet lady.  I'll miss her smile and her funny way.  I am absolutely thrilled for her to be able to leave this life.

Please keep her family in your prayers, particularly Veasna, his wife, Linna, and their son, Timothy.

 After the body was cremated, some of the church went to the BEST Center for a service.  This service was primarily to be of encouragement to Veasna, Linna and Timothy.

 We sang songs about heaven and God's promises.

Rich gave the talk about how we are so very happy she has received her victory but also sad for those loved ones left here.  He also talked about the need to be ready for eternity.















At the very end, Veasna got up and said a few words.  Again, please keep him and his family in your prayers.

Much love,
Ronda Dolan