A Tribute to my
Daughter: Melissa Kelly Bartel
As I sit down today after spending time with my daughter
yesterday listening to her future plans, as she prepares now, to go into Spain
as a full time missionary, many memories from her childhood come to mind. I
thank God for such a beautiful and special godly daughter. All the joy & inspiration
and the godly example she has always given me and to everyone around her, she
has truly made a mark on all of us; to our immediate family and extended family
and any one that has known her. Her passion and commitment to serve the Lord stems
from an early age, living a godly life, never wavering, all these years, into
young adult life. She has truly stood out, as a godly woman, and taken the lead
always.
I remember even as a small child, age maybe 8 or 9 years old -while we still lived on a small ranch in Alberta, and there were two other young families who lived there as well- how she would read little to the two little neighbors girls Bible stories, and share with them about Jesus. She had evangelizing skills than and shared freely with passion. How she would readily go to the front of the little Cowboy Church we were attending and share & sing regularly on Sundays. How she participated in a prayer time at school later in High School, and how she was actively involved in the Youth Group and sharing with other students. Later attending church in Calgary, and serving regularly in the Youth group, and than later going to Bible School, always with a passion to serve and witness freely to any one around.
I see now how God’s hand was on her, and how he was
preparing her, for a time like this, where she is now making preparations to go
into the Mission field as a long term Missionary. Her desire and devotion and
commitment to go into the Mission Field has been a dream of hers for so many
years, and to now see it all maybe come to fruition soon, brings so much joy to
me.
I some times wonder where she got all the passion from to
serve the LORD, and how God got to a little girl like this, from such a very
early age, and how he made Himself known to her, that God was the most important
part of her life. I know her grandparents; my parents had an impact on her, as
they lived a very godly life, and were truly an example, living a Christian
life. But we were a long ways away from them, and really only visited them
regularly maybe once or twice a year, so I know that GOD did something special
here. I think of all the children of my parents and all the grand children, and
few have lived such an extraordinary life from an early age all the way through
adult hood with such a passion to serve the Lord and evangelize to the people
and friends around them, on a consistent basis, and have such an impact with
people that came in contact with them, and that would be willing to freely drop
everything to go into the Mission field as a long term Missionary, using a lot
of her own resources to go. She is
truly, truly amazing. I know that God’s
hand is on her, and truly has a calling on her life in this direction. That is
evident to any body that knows her, and has spent time with her.
I remember the times I was in difficulty and how she would
always leave and or share Bible verses for encouragement. And I know that has
been the case with many people that have known her. It is said that Evangelism
is effective the most from first building relationships, and being an example
yourself to the people around you. She
has definitely impacted the people’s lives around her that knew her. God be
with you as you go to Spain, Melissa… And I know God will use you in an
extraordinary way.
Love Dad.
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