Today My Friend Went To Heaven

Today my friend died. Dion Ainsworth who I first met in 1983 when I became pastor of the Woodland Baptist Church in Beaumont, Texas went to be with His Lord today (May 18, 2013) just eleven days after suffering a massive heart attack.

In the years that followed that meeting he and I worked together on many projects. You see he was the Director of Christian Social Missions for the Golden Triangle Baptist Association and I was Chairman of the Christian Social Missions Committee of the Association. Technically that made me and my committee his overseers but in reality we were just another tool through whom he would do ministry. Roy Lambert was the Director of Missions and Ed Savage was the Director Christian Education but as much as I loved these two men neither held a candle to Dion when it came to work product.

Dion was tireless. During those years such ministries as Opportunity Camp, Calvary House, and the Crisis Hotline came into being. Dion tapped into the talents and skills of laymen in just about every church in the Association.

I remember that when Roy Lambert retired I thought we, the Association, should look no further than Dion for his replacement. I think he was the right man at the right time for the Association  but not enough others saw him the way I did.

There are many memories and there is little value in recounting them all. They only serve to prove what I have always known and that is, no one ever labored more faithfully than did Dion.

I  not only remember him as being a hard working man but I knew him to be a gentle spirit. Dion work hard because he had a heart for people . . . he really cared and he knew what he did really mattered. It mattered to the future of poor and underprivileged children: it mattered to troubled and unemployed families; and it mattered to him. Dion always had time to help a troubled life.

I shall miss hearing the tone of his soft voice as we discussed virtually any and every thing. I do not question God's decision to call Dion home but I do wonder sometimes about what He was thinking. Dion, I am so glad God placed you in my life.

Feel free to leave your own thoughts below,  I'll let Ray Boltz say it for me . . . .

I dreamed I went to heaven and You were there with me
We walked upon the streets of gold Beside the crystal sea.

We heard the angels singing Then someone called your name.
You turned and saw this young man And he was smiling as he came.

And he said, "Friend you may not know me now"  And then he said, "But wait"
You used to teach my Sunday School When I was only eight.

And every week you would say a prayer  Before the class would start.
And one day when you said that prayer  I asked Jesus in my heart."

Thank you for giving to the Lord I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord I am so glad you gave.

Then another man stood before you And said, "Remember the time
A missionary came to your church And his pictures made you cry.

You didn't have much money But you gave it anyway.
Jesus took the gift you gave And that's why I am here today."

Thank you for giving to the Lord I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord I am so glad you gave.

One by one they came Far as the eye could see
Each life somehow touched By your generosity.

Little things that you had done Sacrifices made.
Unnoticed on the earth In heaven now proclaimed.

And I know up in heaven you're not supposed to cry.
But I am almost sure There were tears in your eyes.

As Jesus took your hand  And you stood before the Lord.
He said, "My child look around you. Great is your reward."

Thank you for giving to the Lord I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord I am so glad you gave.

Thank you for giving to the Lord I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord I am so glad you gave