Darrell and Louise Champlin are one unit of the Grings-Champlin family who are serving the Lord as missionaries all over the world.
Louise herself grew up in the Congo, Africa, suffering shipwreck with her family on the way to the Congo when she was just a young child. She lost her mother on the mission field. Her father is also buried in the Congo.
After marriage, she and her husband Darrell returned to Africa to continue the ministry, and in more recent years, have been serving in Suriname, South America.
It is Dr. Champlin's desire to die (and be buried) on the mission field of Suriname. Mrs. Champlin is there with him, still working in ministry with their children and grandchildren, and caring for Dr. Champlin in his declining years.
She is an inspiration to so many, writing thousands of letters
by hand to those she regularly encourages. I feel honoured to be among them.
Here is a portion of a recent letter, which she hand wrote inside an old church bulletin by covering the printed portions with white paper in order to reuse the bulletin and utilize its inspirational quote and poems. (She is one amazing lady!):
"...It is so wonderful how God knows our hearts--our desires and reveals truth when we are ready for it and enables us to discern what isn't. I 'tried Saul's armour' so to speak and found it was not for me, but that there was more when we 'walk with the Lord' so kept on my knees, kept seeking and memorizing Scripture--I John--the LOVE epistle and the dual 'in'--me in God and Him in me--what a marvel! How can it be? God perfects His love in me--we have fellowship--I don't have to be ruled by sin. I walk in the light that God is in, we're right there together and our joy is fulfilled. My salvation verse John 1:12--child of God when I was 8 has always been a delighting reality to me--I belong!"Dr. and Mrs. Champlin's photo on my refrigerator is a continual reminder to me: for what--or more importantly FOR WHOM--am I living? Am I living for the "here and now"? Or do I seek a City whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10)?
How do each of my decisions throughout the day reflect what I am living for?
Lord, it is my heart's desire to be consumed with YOU and only You.
In the secret of His presence how my soul delights to hide!Oh, how precious are the lessons which I learn at Jesus' side!
Earthly cares can never vex me, neither trials lay me low;
For when satan comes to tempt me, to the secret place I go.
~ unknown
___________________
Here is a portion of a letter from the Champlins concerning their extended family serving the Lord around the world:
God has watched over us through the years as a family and we recognize His grace and goodness to us with both the Champlin and Grings. Louise’s oldest brother Bob [Grings] is still out in the Congo at age 88. He still rides his bicycle to teach Bible classes and travel the jungle trails. His son Dan and family are there with him as well as daughter Becky and her husband. Other members serve elsewhere in Africa and there are great grandchildren as well. Youngest brother Mark [Grings] at 77 was called Home to Glory in June [2008]. Wyla [Mark's wife] stays on in South Africa with daughter Esther and her family to keep the church and radio ministry going. Sister Bessie and her husband also help with that. It’s good to have four Champlin units here in Suriname to continue the ministry. Please pray for older grandchildren in the States in Bible College, and our daughter Debbie with the direction God has for her. Darrell’s brother Russell and wife continue their Bible encyclopedia literary work and publications in Brazil. Son Charles and wife work with Indian people. Their family is divided - two with them and two in the US.
I just love it when God sends little surprises my way--little pleasures to enjoy in His world!
I was going to wait until it finished flowering and then transplant it to a flower bed. (Unfortunately I didn't tell my husband my plans... He wacked it with the weed eater! But the root is still there, so when it springs back up, I will transplant it right away!)
