Grief and vows
A week of remembrance and celebration
It’s truly remarkable how life sometimes arranges things: grief and vows, coming together in a single week, or even on the very same day. Over the past few weeks, I had the privilege of sharing the testimonies of both these couples on my website and social media. Impressive stories, each one showing how our Lord has revealed Himself in their lives.
Ico and Andrea Abis
This past week brought the sad news of Ico Abis’s passing. His wife, Andrea, wrote such an incredibly beautiful and moving account of his journey home. While I never had the chance to meet Ico in person, I did share his testimony on my website. It is a powerful story of a man who had been through such deep struggles, only to come to know the Lord later in life—the One who delivered him from all the troubles of his past.
Below are the loving words Andrea wrote about her beloved’s passing:
Con amore ti lascio andare, ma ti porto per sempre nel mio cuore
(With love I let you go, but I carry you forever in my heart)
With a heart full of love, we had to let go. My dearest husband, our beloved father, our loving Ico, our dearest Nonno. He has returned Home to his Lord and Saviour.
His earthly fight is over.
He has let go of life here… and received new life in heaven.
There, where there is no more pain, no sorrow, no sickness.
There, he is dancing again with his long hair, healthy, and full of joy.
Ico fought so bravely.
He was strong, full of faith, full of hope, and then later, full of quiet acceptance, looking forward to his Heavenly Home.
I am unspeakably proud of him, my brave hero, my soulmate, the treasure of my heart.
He leaves us a beautiful heritage:
An inheritance of love, among other things.
Unconditional love for God, for all our children and grandchildren, for his mother, for me, and for the people around him and us.
God is good. Always.
Even now, we know He is close.
Those who look to You are radiant with joy;
their faces are never covered with shame.
You lift me up, Lord, higher,
closer to where I belong –
here at Your Father’s heart.
That is where Ico is now.
Eternally sheltered, forever safe, in the arms of his Heavenly Father.
With love,
Andrea
You can read Ico’s full testimony here: https://ontginnieuwland.nl/talking-to/8/
Henk and Nelly Dik
A completely different narrative: a few weeks ago, my wife Ingrid and I were guests of Henk and Nelly Dik. What a warm and heartfelt welcome we received. Henk and I had a fascinating conversation about his family, his ministry, and his personal life. And now, just a couple of weeks later, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their children!
Their eldest son, Tim, wrote the following on Facebook:
Yesterday, my dear father Henk and mother Nelly celebrated 60 (!) years of marriage! A remarkable milestone, which we celebrated as a family last week in Zeeland. Following congratulations this week from the King and Queen, the Mayor of Putten visited them today.
I am grateful for my parents and for their love for us as their children and grandchildren. Here’s to many more beautiful and hopefully healthy years!
Ico and Andrea, and Henk and Nelly: two couples for whom I have the deepest, deepest respect. Their faithfulness to one another, their selfless love… that is what truly matters.
Ico has now taken up residence with the Lord, and I sincerely hope that Andrea finds the comfort and strength to give this immense loss a proper place in her life. And Henk and Nelly? We wish them, along with their children, many more healthy and wonderful years together.
Their testimony can be read here: https://ontginnieuwland.nl/talking-to/10
Grief and vows sometimes meet in a single week. That is life.
@ Wim van Putten