Dear Friends,

Most of us saw those horrifying pictures of Columbia disintegrating as it attempted to return to earth - and felt for the waiting families. In less spectacular ways it is something that could happen to any one of us. Most parents have waited anxiously for their children at one time or another. Many have been suddenly parted from people they loved by some terrible unforeseen event.

Sometimes in the midst of tragedy there are beams of genuine hope, which provide comfort and strength to those left behind. Rick Husband, the astronaut selected to be captain for that mission, was a Christian believer. He was described by his Mend Steve Green as a "quiet, unassuming man who was, however, very vocal about his faith." It seems that he did not miss an opportunity to give glory to God. When Mission Control said it was a per- fect day for a launch, Rick responded with, "The Lord has given us a perfect day." A suit technician shared the following story with Steve. He said that after the astronauts suit up they walk down a hall- way and then open a door to "face the press!" Rick stopped the crew before they opened the door and said he wanted to pray with them. Later the technicians talked about this and one said that in all his years he had never heard of a captain praying for and with his crew. Another evidence of his faith is found in the song his wife picked to be played for him to wake up to on one of the mornings in space. Rick's wife chose a song sung by his friend Steve Green. There is a tape recording of the conversation that took place that morning which went something like this:

Mission control: "Good morning. That song was for Rick. It was 'God of wonders' by Steve Green."
Rick: "Good morning. Thank you. We really appreciate the lyrics of that song up here. We look out of the window and see that God truly is a God of wonders!"

Rick also wrote about how overwhelming it was to see God's vast creation from space. He said that he had never cried while exercising before, but peddling the bike and looking out of the window at God's incredible creation brought tears to his eyes.

Rick had two children who are quite young (about 5 and 10). Before he left he made 34 devotional video recordings. There were 17 for his daughter and 17 for his son, one for each day that he was to be gone. So each day his daughter and son had their own "devotion with dad" by video. All of us have to die-I wonder what kind of legacy' we will leave behind us for our children?

With our prayers,

Eddie Jones

Pastor