March 01, 1998 by

Seeing Him Face to Face...

In recent issues of Mission Frontiers, we highlighted several prayer requests of the U.S. Center for World Mission. One of the special people we invited you to pray for was Shirley Clingman. She was afflicted with the painful, autoimmune disease lupus. On February 8, 1998, Shirley went home to be with our Lord. Although she was suffering constantly in her body, her death was all too sudden. We all miss her presence among us. Seeking to honor her, we have chosen a few passages from her personal journal to give you a view of Shirley, and how her unique spirit blessed us so much. Surviving her are husband, Eugene, and their five children ages 18-2.

May 27, 1997 “...Our lives must count, life must be fruitful, it must make an impact on those we come in contact with. We are so blessed, we need to be a blessing...We live in a world of evil, but through our lives, we bring the Kingdom of God into places of darkness.”

May 28, 1997 “Lupus has put my body out of balance. It has caused my white blood cells to attack the body and major organs, like my kidneys. It runs free with mixed signals, saying I am sick when I am not...I have swelling, soreness, pain in joints, headaches, stiffness, skin rashes, loss of hair, nail deformity, sores in my mouth and nose, vision impaired, no energy, fever, overall pain and discomfort.”

July 8, 1997 “I am 40 years old and in a new phase of my life working with my husband in missions....Though the lupus has taken somewhat a major role, I am not consumed with it.... Eugene told me yesterday that I have a lot to offer still to this life. I really don’t want to die or give up or be ineffective.”

January 11, 1998 “God has given me direction for my life. I am especially thrilled to be Chaplain for William Carey Academy, and excited about being even better at it as time goes on. Life is great!! I am so glad to be alive and getting well and love being a blessing to others.”

January 21, 1998 “I am excited for 1998 and what it will bring for us at the USCWM. We who are learning to count the cost and take up our cross daily have a sense of urgency to see the task finished. It is my desire to be all that I can be so that I can help others be all that they can be. I may not always be there for you but I am standing in prayer with you and for you.”

January 28, 1998 “Yesterday I had a headache and some achiness. Overall BLAH, slept most of the day...I’ve been through so many changes physically it is like I’m in a cocoon. Maybe I’ll emerge as a beautiful butterfly when this is over!”