Esther Ratzlaff
Today, I had the privilege of attending the funeral of Esther Ratzlaff. She was an amazing woman! I first met Esther the first week I was at work at Hesston MB. She was here during the day working in the library. She was faithful in keeping the library organized and up to date. Not only did she do this faithfully, but she also taught during Hide N Seek. In addition to these activities, she also filled our pew kits. She was so creative in making those kits paying attention to what the children would enjoy. One of her ideas was pipe cleaners which have always been my kids favorite part of the pew kit.
Around Easter last year, I was invited to Newton to speak at the Community Bible School that Esther was involved in. She taught here for 17 years. She worked here at least two days a week with these children from the public schools. She loved this ministry as well.
When she discovered she had cancer, she was heartbroken that she would not be able to continue teaching at Hide N Seek on Wednesday night and also that she would have to give up teaching at Community Bible School. She still continued with her other love-the church library. When she was no longer able to continue, Twila (her daughter) contacted me about bringing books back to the church. We had scheduled for that exchange to happen the week of Thanksgiving. When the day came, Twila showed up but explained that Esther wanted to "pass the baton" to someone rather than just drop off books. I made an appointment to meet them the next day. On the day before Thanksgiving, I met with Esther and she shared her heart and passion for the library. She even shared about her embarrassment in giving me the library in this condition. I thought as I left that day-what a woman! Here she is dealing with cancer and very sick, yet she is more concerned that the church library is not in the condition she would like it to be in. I thanked her for the many ways she has served God and our church!
As I sat in her funeral, it was a great testimony of a lady who loved God. She was happy to know that her children and grandchildren knew Christ. She was excited to go to heaven and be with her husband who had died in 2007. Her life story is a great one of someone who loved serving God even if it was behind the scenes. She did not want a lot of fanfare or praise. Thank you Esther for your great example! Thank you for the many children you have touched with your teaching about Jesus and the Bible!
Around Easter last year, I was invited to Newton to speak at the Community Bible School that Esther was involved in. She taught here for 17 years. She worked here at least two days a week with these children from the public schools. She loved this ministry as well.
When she discovered she had cancer, she was heartbroken that she would not be able to continue teaching at Hide N Seek on Wednesday night and also that she would have to give up teaching at Community Bible School. She still continued with her other love-the church library. When she was no longer able to continue, Twila (her daughter) contacted me about bringing books back to the church. We had scheduled for that exchange to happen the week of Thanksgiving. When the day came, Twila showed up but explained that Esther wanted to "pass the baton" to someone rather than just drop off books. I made an appointment to meet them the next day. On the day before Thanksgiving, I met with Esther and she shared her heart and passion for the library. She even shared about her embarrassment in giving me the library in this condition. I thought as I left that day-what a woman! Here she is dealing with cancer and very sick, yet she is more concerned that the church library is not in the condition she would like it to be in. I thanked her for the many ways she has served God and our church!
As I sat in her funeral, it was a great testimony of a lady who loved God. She was happy to know that her children and grandchildren knew Christ. She was excited to go to heaven and be with her husband who had died in 2007. Her life story is a great one of someone who loved serving God even if it was behind the scenes. She did not want a lot of fanfare or praise. Thank you Esther for your great example! Thank you for the many children you have touched with your teaching about Jesus and the Bible!
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