It was with a mix of joy and sadness that I read of the passing of a great Christian warrior - Sis. Nona Freeman. The following was written by her daughter:
Nona Freeman 1916-2009
Dear Friends of Nona Freeman:
We sorrow, yet rejoice to inform you of the earthly departure and heavenly arrival of our mother Nona E. Freeman 93 years old. She was a Jesus name Minister; Foreign Missionary; Daughter; Wife; Mother; Grandparent and beloved friend to millions around the world.
She took the 10:45 pm flight, Saturday, December 26, 2009 at our home in Fort Worth Texas. Take-off was smooth after 93 years of waiting on the run-way. There was often layovers at various terminals in her life but she never complained.
She began her Ministry in 1939. She spread the gospel of Jesus Christ for over 70 years as a Preacher; Speaker; Columnist, Evangelist and beloved author of more than twenty books. She preached and served as pastor’s wife throughout the U.S. and the continent of her burden, Africa.
Upon arrival she was greeted at her Heavenly Destination by Jesus then she was finally greeted by her spouse of 62 years; her beloved E.L. ‘Bug’ Freeman!
She was also greeted her daughter and our sister Marla, and not only a fellow minister but her beloved mother, Carrie Eastridge as well as a host of loved ones, the apostles and prophets of old.
Those left at the terminal upon her departure; daughter and travel companion Sandra Freeman of Fort Worth, Texas, daughters, Linda, Sharon, son Dale Freeman, several generations of grandchildren, siblings, family and a host of friends around the world.
The Home Going Service and Celebration of her life commonly called a ‘funeral’ will be announced Monday, December 28, 2009
The Nona Freeman family thanks you and asks for your prayers at this time.
Sandra Freeman/Nona Freeman Ministry
I never met her personally, but I have read some of her books and felt like I knew her! She was the kind of author who wrote from the heart and didn't cover her own shortcomings or failures. I had to pull out two of my favorites "
Bug and Nona on the Go" and "The Adventures of Bug and Me" and reread them.
If there was one theme that carried throughout those books it was "trust." You might think a great missionary such as Sis. Freeman had it all down pat, but she was just like the rest of us - deciding every day to follow and trust.
Her life was not without struggles and her health was tested mightily. At one point she was diagnosed with leukemia. The doctor told her to go back to the States for treatment. With treatment she might live a year, without it he gave her about six months. That was in 1951!!!
The final words of "Bug and Nona on the Go" are:
This is "our" story
This is our song
Praising our Savior
All the day long!
And that is truly what made her great - she praised and prayed her way through a life of victory.
This is a testimony to the faithfulness of God. Liberia has been torn by two civil wars in recent years. There is widespread poverty and disease. The current life expectancy is 44.7. But there it is, Box 44, Monrovia. A reminder that God hasn't forgotten. His church will be triumphant!
