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December 19, 2008
US Homeside OMF Tribute to Karen
OMF-USA Home side Tribute to Karen Lampinen
Dave & Wil, Karen’s family members & church family, on behalf of the OMF USA Home side, we want to express our heartfelt condolences to you. We can only begin to imagine the deep loss you must feel.
Karen leaves a legacy that will not be forgotten. That legacy includes the costly, pain-filled testimony of how she walked through the long valley of the shadow of death these past few years. You walked it together, with dignity, grace and peace, to the very end.
2 Corinthians 4:16 states, “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” Karen lived that verse in a way that we could clearly see. Even as her body grew more ravaged, her spirit grew stronger. Her life was lovingly poured out for her Lord with nothing held back.
We are so thankful for the way her life touched ours and so many--- and that now she has thrown off all pain & sickness and is fully alive!
Thank you, Karen, for your radiant smile.
Thank you for singing hymns and praise songs with a voice so melodious and clear.
Thank you for your warmth and cheer.
Thank you for being such a life-filled, loving and wise woman of God.
Thank you for encouraging those who came to encourage you.
Thank you for your faith that never wavered, that the Lord could and would heal you however He chose and that you wanted only what He wanted.
Thank you for showing us how to live life fully and freely, and how to fight for life with courage and tenacity.
Thank you for your single-minded, whole hearted desire to glorify Him above all, in and through it all.
Thank you, Karen. Your gift to us of your life lives on, and we are grateful. We will not forget you.
---from your OMF-USA family, December 2008
Posted by David at 2:45 PM
Tribute to Karen from the OMF Philippines Field
OMF Philippines Field-side Tribute to Karen Druliner Lampinen*
In 1977, Karen Druliner arrived in the Philippines to join OMF’s church planting work in Bicol. However, her linguistic abilities were discovered early on. As a result, she was asked to help instead with the field’s language and orientation program. She accepted the change of plan and served very well. In fact, in her 28 years on the field, she always had some kind of role in that program.
The field rejoiced when one language learner, David Lampinen, showed romantic interest in Karen. We also shared their joy when God brought them together and then gave them two wonderful sons. They were very much a family in ministry together.
Karen eventually managed to do some church planting. She served fruitfully on a number of teams. The healthy churches which those teams planted fondly remember her friendliness, her sparkling faith, and her musical skills. She helped many Filipinos learn to use their musical abilities for the glory of God.
Over the years, Karen was also a valuable member of Regional and Field Councils. Being deeply involved with Filipinos, she made comments based on what she felt was best for them and the developing churches among them. Her insights indirectly equipped the rest of us to serve them more effectively.
Karen was also a big sister to many OMFers who came to the field after her. She helped us adjust to the country, its languages and its cultures. She made time to discuss with us the struggles we were facing and the decisions we were making. Her prayers encouraged us to press on.
In recent years, Karen and her family faced difficult trials. We watched her respond to them. She communicated openly about her feelings and the things she was wrestling with. Throughout it all, she remained an outstanding witness to God’s boundless grace and infinite wisdom.
Karen has now left her earthly tent and is clothed with her heavenly dwelling. For that, we are thankful. Nevertheless, OMF Philippines will greatly miss her.
*The above was written by Andy Smith, on behalf of the OMF-Philippines team. Andy writes: “As it suggests, I knew Karen very well. She was my closest "big sister" in OMF. It is my joy to be Wil's godfather.” December 2008
Posted by David at 2:42 PM
December 13, 2008
Thoughts on Karen's Memorial Service Day
This is the day of Karen’s memorial service. Countless numbers of people have given of their time to prepare the church school gymnasium into a worship center where we will celebrate Karen’s life. This morning as I was going through my daily readings in God’s Word, I came to Psalm 45, which is entitled a wedding song. Verses 10-15 tell of the King’s princess bride being prepared to meet her groom. Today, for me, that bride is Karen being escorted into the presence of the one person she loved more than me.
I also came in my readings to Isaiah chapter 61. What a promise of comfort is contained in this passage for those who mourn! In Psalm 45 the Lord is reaching out his hand to receive his bride. In Isaiah 61 God is reaching down to those of us still here on earth to give comfort, peace and hope. All praise be to God!!!
Psalm 45:10-15
Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear: Forget your people and your father's house. The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.
The Daughter of Tyre will come with a gift, men of wealth will seek your favor.
All glorious is the princess within [her chamber]; her gown is interwoven with gold.
In embroidered garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her and are brought to you. They are led in with joy and gladness; they enter the palace of the king.
Isaiah 61: 1-3
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
Posted by David at 8:00 AM
December 11, 2008
Confirmed time for memorial service
I have spent time today with the worship leader who is helping organize the memorial service for Karen and also a couple of hours with the funeral director and we are going with the times that I mentioned in yesterdays update which are as follows:
Saturday, Dec. 13
12:30 to 1:30 P.M. An open casket viewing/visitation
2:00 P.M. The Memorial Service
Refreshments will be served after the service
Location: Damascus Community Church, 14251 SE Rust Way, Damascus, OR 97089
The viewing and memorial service will take place in the gymnasium on the south end of the church facilities.
The church’s website has driving directions: www.damascuscc.org
Thank you again for your continued prayers for Wil and myself.
In lieu of flowers we would ask that you would consider a donation in memory of Karen be made to any of the three organizations listed below:
American Cancer Society: donate on-line at www.cancer.org or by phone 1-800-227-2345
Damascus Christian Student Financial Aid Fund: make checks payable to Damascus Christian School and mail to 14251 SE Rust Way, Damascus, OR 97089
OMF International: donate on-line at www.omf.org/us or mail donation to OMF International,
10 West Dry Creek Circle, Littleton, CO 80120-4413
Posted by David at 8:47 PM
December 10, 2008
Memorial Service for Karen
Although this will not be confirmed until later on Thursday, we are looking at having Karen’s memorial service at 2 P.M. on Saturday, Dec. 13 at Damascus Community Church here in Damascus, Oregon. We will have a viewing/visitation as well starting at 12:30 P.M. I will confirm these times for you tomorrow afternoon.
The address for the church is 14251 SE Rust Way, Damascus, OR 97089
Thank you for your continued prayers for Wil and myself.
In lieu of flowers we would ask that you would consider a donation in memory of Karen be made to any of the three organizations listed below:
American Cancer Society: donate on-line at www.cancer.org or by phone 1-800-227-2345
Damascus Christian Student Financial Aid Fund: make checks payable to Damascus Christian School and mail to 14251 SE Rust Way, Damascus, OR 97089
OMF International: donate on-line at www.omf.org/us or mail donation to OMF International,
10 West Dry Creek Circle, Littleton, CO 80120-4413
Posted by David at 9:49 PM
December 9, 2008
Karen is in her Savior's arms
Karen has passed from the land of the dying into the land of the living and into the waiting arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ tonight at 10: 52 p.m. Wil and I and her brother Bill and his wife Renee were with her; reading Scripture, praying and talking to her until she left us. Now she and Ben are together in heaven.
I will let you know about funeral services and burial when that is arranged. Thank you all for your faithful prayers for us and for all the encouraging messages sent telling of how Karen impacted your lives. May God’s grace sustain and comfort you as you share in our loss.
Posted by David at 11:33 PM
December 6, 2008
The first week of December
Karen has gotten steadily weaker and less mentally alert as the days pass. She is no longer eating solid foods and at present is taking in very little water or other liquids. Her brother Bill and his wife Renee came in from Wisconsin on Wednesday evening and have been a great help to me with caring for Karen, both of them being nurses. We have experienced to love and caring of so many friends who have come to help in practical ways and to be an encouragement to all three of us. Thank you for your prayers. And a special thank you to all who have dropped by for short visits, brought in food, helped clean the house, sat beside Karen and held her hand when I have been busy, sang hymns and choruses to her,sent cards and e-mails, phoned and given hugs.
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.”
Posted by David at 12:45 PM