Celebrating the Life of Randy Erickson

Faithfully Serving as a Gleanings For The Hungry  Staff Member for Six Years       Our hearts are heavy with grief as we share this report. In May, one of our staff mem- bers, Randy Erickson, passed away. His death was totally unexpected and a deep shock for the entire community. There are many questions and few answers, but the constant is that God is good. Randy loved the Lord, he loved his wife Eliane, and he loved his two girls, Liana and Timea. There is much we don’t grasp, but we have the peace of God that passes all understanding and feel surrounded by the love of our Gleanings ’ family and friends.      Randy was born February 16, 1981 in Tacoma, Washington as the oldest of three children. He moved to Vermont in 1993; in 2000, he graduated from Lyndon Institute in Lyndon Center, Vermont, and in 2001 moved to Northern California. For several years he worked in the wine industry, and planned to start a landscaping business. After visiting Gleanings for the Hungry with his church in 2008, Randy felt called to participate in a Y WA M  Discipleship Training School (DTS). He completed his school the following year at Gleanings for the Hun - gry , and accompanied an outreach team to South Africa and Mozambique. The DTS changed the direction of his life. Randy also met his future wife, who was on staff at Gleanings For The Hungry at that time.      Randy officially joined Gleanings for the Hungry  staff in 2010, then married the love of his life, Eliane, on March 3, 2012. Their daughter, Liana Esther, was born June 10, 2013, followed by Timea Hope on April 28, 2015. Randy was a proud father; his children brought such joy into his life.      Randy was an extremely talented and creative individual. He was instrumental in shaping the surroundings of Gleanings for the Hungry . The beauty of Randy’s handiwork is evident all around the property, such as the cross surrounded by sago palms and flowers at the entrance. The volunteers who worked with Randy often expressed how he positively impacted their lives, encouraging them in the ways of God and taking time to pray for them. Randy was also a talented woodworker; some of his creations include Christmas ornaments, trains, and a dollhouse, com- plete with furniture, for his daughters.      A gifted teacher and encourager, Randy was able to present the Word of God clearly and creatively to adults and children alike. The Bible Sword Club was a hit with the staff children at Gleanings . After the children had learned memory verses they were able to select one of Randy’s handcrafted wooden swords, followed by a little sword fight with Randy. What fun they had, until someone got hurt. Randy then created safer ways to encourage the children to learn God’s Word, such as card games He would sit and play with them. And, let’s not forget the Nerf gun wars! Ran- dy made a lasting impact on countless lives.      Another talent Randy shared was leading people into God’s presence through worship, skill- fully and beautifully playing the guitar and singing. His love for God, His Word, and worship, is a legacy Randy leaves. Randy was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Foursquare Children Of Promise - Cambodia 

Director’s Corner One very important thing here in the United States is having a good credit score. It seems like we all work to have a blameless record and increase our credit line! What about our faith score or our being content score? Do we keep track of our not sinning in temptation mark. As we go through life, we make changes according to what we really believe is important. I love to see young and old followers of Jesus who hear the word of the Lord and make adjust- ments according to it. Blessing always follows when every habit and every emotion is submitted to God. We have gone through some tough situations here lately. I definitely know that every one of them is an opportunity to seek God and His ways more than my own comfort. Let’s not give up, but press in and persevere to submit everything in prayer and thanksgiving to our loving Father in heaven.  Fritz Meier Foursquare Children Of Promise - Cambodia  Foursquare Children Of Promise (FCOP)  has partnered with Gleanings for the Hungry  for about 15 years. During this time, FCOP  has built the largest network of churches in Cambodia; approximately 6,ooo meeting places and 1,000,000 members. FCOP  is also the largest caregiver for separated and orphaned children in Cambodia with 106 locations. Food supplies are the biggest single expense; the soup mix and dried fruit have greatly enhanced the diet at FCOP  Church/Homes. For the last two years Cambodia has suffered from tremendous drought. There were two major distri - butions to drought stricken areas last December and January. These were opportunity- ties to share the gospel; over 250 people received Christ at these meetings.

The Story of MareYar MareYar was tossed out in a heap of garbage, only to be discovered by a Cambodian passing by, hearing her cries as she lay in the heap of trash, discarded and alone.  The Cambodian man felt compelled to bring this little precious bundle of life to a local government office. A government official brought her to the pro- vincial capital Social Affairs office and they, in turn, took her to the best place they knew - an FCOP  church home in the area.  Since that moment of entering into the church home, a new start began in MareYar’s life, and it’s the only one she remembers. The pastor and his wife have raised MareYar as one of their own children; she calls them Dad and Mom and feels as much a part of the family as their biological children. MareYar is thriving as a child, growing up with value and purpose.  She’s 10 years old now, is doing great in school, and most of all, is cared for and treasured. Every morning she is sent off to school with good food and a snack of fruit from Gleanings for the Hungry,  then received back with open arms by pastors, or rather, parents who will be there every day letting her know she’s loved, accepted, and cared for with nutritious food.  In the midst of a truly tragic situation, and a heap of trash, emerged a “truly joyful young woman” MareYar, a gift from God.

Director’s Corner One very important thing here in the United States is having a good credit score. It seems like we all work to have a blameless record and increase our credit line! What about our faith score or our being content score? Do we keep track of our not sinning in temptation mark. As we go through life, we make changes according to what we really believe is important. I love to see young and old followers of Jesus who hear the word of the Lord and make adjust- ments according to it. Blessing always follows when every habit and every emotion is submitted to God. We have gone through some tough situations here lately. I definitely know that every one of them is an opportunity to seek God and His ways more than my own comfort. Let’s not give up, but press in and persevere to submit everything in prayer and thanksgiving to our loving Father in heaven. 

Fritz Meier

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