Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with Your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And earth has nothing I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Dear family and friends,
It is with deep sadness that we share that our beloved husband, father, and grandfather was called home into glory this morning at 5 am. After a courageous battle with leukemia, and at the end with pneumonia, God brought home His warrior of the faith. We stand amazed at how God provided the grace needed day by day for Dad to face each battle with trust and courage. And we praise Him for giving us a godly, loving husband, father, and grandfather!
While Dad was resting peacefully with the intubation in the ICU yesterday, his lung infection continued to worsen and progress. After doing everything they could, the team called our family in early this morning. We were all able to be with him, singing and praying together as he entered God's presence.
We continue to be encouraged at how God is tenderly providing all that we need in our grief through the outpouring of love from family and friends. We will update you with visitation and funeral arrangements as we make plans.
To God be the glory!
With love,
Barb, Michael & Rachel (Peter, Aaron, Nathaniel), Karen, Sarah & Jeremy (Robert, Matthew, Lucas, Timothy), Andrea (Derek), David & Bethany
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all Your deeds!
Psalm 73:28
16 comments:
To the VanderDeen family, take strong hold of our God, and allow for Him to carry you through this nest while.
What a saint!
TomS
Richard's greatest desire was that God receive glory through everything, whichever way it turned out.......and you have all indeed always and still do give Him all the glory and honor and praise.....for all His faithfulness during this time of illness.
I know that our Lord delights in each one of you, because you always put Him first. What more can we give our great and glorious and precious Lord.
I know and I lift each one of you up before Him, that He may continue to give each one of you all that you will need to get through the difficult times ahead.
with much love in our Lord Jesus Christ...........
always.........
And thank you always for all the updates you have provided! Thank you that we could be part of this journey.... And thank you, Karen, that even in this difficult time you still update. Thank you!
Deka
Seeing Richard's photo has brought back memories of the evening I spent with him as a guest of the van der Deen family. He was a wonderful host and fascinating to talk to - a lovely man who I know will be missed hugely by all who knew him. I wish you all strength for the coming days and weeks.
Justin (husband of Renny van der Deen)
England
Peace and Perfection is what Richard Vander Deen knows now. What a gift. What a family he has given us. God sent us an angel and Richard has blessed so many and given so many people Faith. A beautiful, kind and strong role model for his children and grand children. The ripple effect of his love emulates God's love. Mr. Vander Deen will be Forever honoured, loved and remembered.
Our deepest sympathy,
Charles and the Bryan family.
Our sincere condolences! We are praying for strength and comfort for you all. Thank you for sharing your deep love for the Lord, and trusting that He will now carry you as you move forward.
In Christian Love,
John and Diane Bosscher
So sorry to hear Barb, our thoughts an prayers are with you and your family as you go through this sad and difficult time. Richard put up a viliant fight with full support of your family. God was ready for him although you weren't ready to part. Strength to you
Bob and Rita Vriesema
What bittersweet news!! We are thankful that Richard no longer knows any pain or suffering, but we sympathize with you his family as you go on from here! May God give you much strength and a peace that surpasses our earthly understanding. We will be in much prayer for the family!
Love Steve & Jo Anjema
Dear family,
Our thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Han & Edith van der Deen (Singapore)
Barb,
Michael, Karen, Sarah, Andrea, David
and your families,
Our prayers have been with you daily, as we've kept up with your blog.
This journey has been a challenging and difficult time for Richard, but also for each of you. While we thank God that Richard is now free of suffering, we pray for God's peace and strength to carry you through these days, and each day ahead. God is truly our refuge and strength!
with hugs,
Pastor Jack & Jane
My condolences to your whole family. Our class is praying for you all and so is my family. May God give you strength.
Sheldon vanBarneveld Grade 7 HCS
1 Corinthians 2:9:
"But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him" -
Barb and the rest of the family, we walk with you in prayer and ask that our heavenly Father grant you much strength and comfort in our risen Saviour.
In Christ,
Eko & Karen and family.
Offering our deepest condolences to you all! Praying for comfort and strength for the days and weeks ahead. May you be surrounded by God's powerful love!
John & Andrea Mulder
Praying for strength and comfort as you travel these next few days. We had such hope that this journey would end with earthly healing, yet God determined that the time had come instead for eternal healing. Your husband and father has been inspirational on so many levels, and although he would have been the last one to agree, he has touched many lives in a positive way. We may never know what his testimony and witness has been able to achieve. Although it is difficult to accept that his time here on earth is over, we pray that his legacy may live on in his children and grandchildren. He will be deeply missed, and for that, we wish you all Christ's abiding love and nearness.
Dear Barb, Praying for strength for you and the kids in the days ahead. We pray God gives you all what you stand in need in this time of sadness.
Dear Barb and children,
We have been following your blog and praying for all of you. Our deepest, heartfelt condolences to you with the passing of your husband, dad and grampa. What an encouragement Richard's faith has been to so many! We will continue to pray for you as you go on without him. "No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him."
Pastor John and Sue Koopman
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