Some time ago... A Meeting with a Burden Bearer: A Tribute to the Life and Mission of Mrs. Cheri Douglas.

Years ago, I was on the Twitter platform to make friends and preach the gospel of salvation. A man named Mark (or something similar) who had a Twitter handle and a #hashtag took interest in me and what I do for the sake of Christ. Unknown to me, he had raised several amounts of dollars for our cause, but unfortunately he did not pass it across to me. This became known to the group and many people left his group. Later, I was contacted by a woman who had secretly followed my activities on Twitter and other platforms. She took interest, perhaps due to her prayers about me and the things we do. She asked me to join her group and lead weekly chats on Missions and Discipleship. This platform was a way for her to draw attention to our mission activities and raise a substantial amount of money for us to remain focused on our assignment.

I found it difficult to believe that any white person would trust the testimonies of a Nigerian, despite the corruptible nature and dispositions of some people from our country. She seemed to believe everything I said we do and was committed to it spirit, soul, and body. We were already praying for her to visit us, as promised in our several discussions. But, time and time again, she couldn't make it here because of frail health and financial constraints.

I never knew that this woman was living on the grace of God. She was not expected to live beyond the 1970s when she first fell ill. But God kept her alive until the year 2024. She never mentioned to me that her health was frail and that she was only surviving by divine Providence. She conducted her spiritual business as if her health condition was not an impediment to achieving her divine assignment. She did what I considered humanly impossible for a DIVINE ASSIGNMENT. She coordinated and brought together people from different nations and kingdoms to pray and share the gospel together. What an exemplary life!

Last year, I was contacted by Matthew Harris that mum had been sick and hospitalized. This came as a shock to me. I swung into prayerful action, trusting God to heal her and give her another span of life. God answered, she came back from the hospital and had another brief lease on life. But indeed, the Lord's will prevailed.

I woke up this morning and was told of her departure into eternal glory. What a shock! What an amazement! I had wished to see her on African soil, but unfortunately, she is no more. She rests peacefully in the bosom of the Master.

While lingering on this traumatic experience, a hymn by Ron Hamilton crossed my mind:

God never moves without purpose or plan

When trying His servant and molding a man.

Give thanks to the Lord though your testing seems long;

In darkness He gives a song.

Refrain:

O Rejoice in the Lord, He makes no mistake,

He knows the end of each path that I take,

For when I am tried and purified,

I shall come forth as gold.

I could not see through the shadows ahead;

So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.

I bowed to the will of the Master that day;

Then peace came and tears fled away.

Now I can see testing comes from above;

God strengthens His children and purges in love.

My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;

Through purging, I will bear more fruit.

Good night Cheri Douglas. You fought well and laid a godly example for the coming generation. You invested your life, risked your health, and emptied your resources for the gospel of the Master.

May the Lord keep Jeff Douglas (husband), Matthew Harris, Nicki Harris Nixon, Irene Harris and the entire family. Cheer up. We'll all soon be at the Master's feet.