By Ann Farabee
Randy and Vicki
I lost two friends last week. The good news is I know where they are. They are with Jesus. The event was on the news. It was in the newspaper. It was talked about within many families , circles of friends, and churches.
To many, they are the couple that was killed in a fire in their home near Landis.
To me, they are Randy and Vicki.
Randy is now surely in heaven greeting new arrivals and Vicki is having personal conversations with the new arrivals about how they reached the end of their earthly journey and began their new life in heaven.
She does not have to remind them of how much greater their home in heaven is because now they are experiencing it for themselves.
I served in the same church they served in for over ten years.
May I tell you a little about them?
Randy inherited the role of keeper of the door. He greeted. He hugged. He helped. He watched. He and others on that team made sure we were all seated, safe, and comfortable as the worship service proceeded.
Vicki also had an very important role. She was wife to the keeper of the door, who developed the role of talking with those who were there. I could call her a greeter, but she chose to just be called a friend of everyone who entered.
She and Randy both had a knack for getting to know others. Usually, between Sunday School and the morning service, I would be running around doing errands (I have no idea what) while Vicki was sitting on the back row listening to someone share their prayer needs with her. Her voice was soft and compassionate and she would listen, nod her head, hold their hand, and then their heads bow as they prayed together. I saw that weekly, but I was busy heading to the choir, and rarely got to participate with them in such heavenly matters. Her voice was filled with compassion, as was her heart.
As Vicki mentored, prayed, and listened to others share with her, I am not sure what I was doing, but it was not anywhere near the role she was fulfilling in those few moments of time.
She was a listener. She took the prayer needs to her heart – and prayed for others on the spot.
Their roles in serving expanded throughout the years, as they remained faithful members of their church. They were loving Christians you knew you could call when you needed them.
If you are a ‘church person’ you probably know a Randy and Vicki at your church. If so, will you give them an extra hug next time you are there – just for me? Tell them, ”Thank you!”
My longest enduring church greeters are now with the Lord.
