Miranda and I have been close friends with Luke and Jensine Ahrens for nearly 15 years. They are among our dearest friends, and together, we share a deep history filled with countless stories. We’ve traveled the world, served in ministry, taken vacations, watched our children grow up, experienced deep heart-break, and so much of it, together. And many of you know and love them as well. That’s why it breaks our hearts to watch Jensine’s life enter its sunset.
Five plus years ago, Jensine was diagnosed with cancer. Since that time, we have walked this journey with Luke and Jensine. Every step of the way, we’ve had a front-row seat to witness God’s love radiate through them. That’s why I want to share Luke’s latest post with you.
Below is Luke’s latest update about Jensine. They are together in Arizona and may not have much more time together this side of eternity. You may not know the details but what I hope you see is their love for each other forged by God’s love for them. My hope in sharing this is that you will pray for them. I also hope you’ll see that only with a deep, abiding relationship with Christ is this depth of love possible, and that, in that realization, you will pursue, with ever-increasing intensity and passion, a deep, abiding, love relationship with the God that saved you.
With a heavy but hope-filled heart,
PMatt
—
God of Mercy, hold us in Your hands.
What a contrast within two days. Sunday was one of the best days of our lives. Yesterday was one of the hardest days of our lives. When I came in to be with Jensine on Monday morning, she was resting. But when she woke up, something was clearly wrong. For the next few hours she was unsettled, agitated, and disoriented. She was talking, but delusional. Her mind had experienced some sort of dark dream/vision. I did everything I could to settle her down. She spoke to her parents. We prayed over her. I rubbed her hair and feet. I spoke the Gospel over her. We sang Leanna Crawford songs together. We kissed–she settled for 5 minutes. Then the agitation and delusional conversation continued. I/nurses did everything we could to keep her in bed and settled. The doctor decided he could not remove the fluid from the area around her lungs due to her agitation. More pain and anxiety medication. My beautiful bride–her mind broken. Nothing prepares you for this. In the afternoon, after talking with the doctors and nurses, I transitioned Jensine into palliative care. The stronger medications relaxed her. By evening she was much more settled. She was able to talk and even see some beautiful pictures someone sent to us. The Kuyoths and I were able to converse with her. Then she fell asleep. Peace washed over her face and my soul. Late at night I came back to the house with the Kuyoths. I have been reading 2 Corinthians. I read chapter 5:4-5: “For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened–not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.” This helped me go to sleep. By God’s mercy, Jensine’s beautiful, but broken earthly dwelling is now being swallowed up by life. Eternal life, because of Jesus.
Sunday, in God’s grace, was a beautiful gift. I spoke to Jensine early as the kids packed up and got ready to go to the hospital for the last time. Her mind was a little off, but she was excited to give the kids a “surprise”--to show them her new room. The hospital graciously gave her a much bigger room (due to all the family they saw coming in) where she can see the sunrise. I asked a few people to pray for God to give Jensine a clear mind to be able to engage the kids before they flew back to Columbus on Sunday night. When we arrived, Isaiah surprised Jensine with all the pictures many of you sent to her (thank you!). She LOVED it! The pictures–each of different people and different seasons–reminded us of her life-giving spirit and love for each of you. For the first hour or so, she looked at each picture and shared stories from the past with the kids/me. Beautiful. We ate a late lunch around her. Then in the last hour together, we gathered around Jensine and took turns sharing things we loved about her; then in response, she shared beautiful thoughts with each of us. I was able to record this moment. Finally, I asked each of the kids to come up close to her and let her pray a blessing over each one. I had been praying for God to allow a moment of blessing like this. It was beautiful! In fact, all four days (Thursday-Sunday) were clearly scripted in God’s care and love. I am so grateful that we rushed out to see Jensine (along with her parents and brothers). God knew what was about to come, and he gave us a special time of saying “goodbye” and hearing her share words of blessing.
Then it was time for the kids to go to the airport. Goodbyes. Tears. Yet God held us in his hands. Tirzah took it hard. But in God’s grace, I found out earlier in the day that Jen and Mia (one of Tirzah’s closest friends) Rose were coming back to Columbus from California. Turns out that they had a layover in Phoenix–Jen and Mia were on the same flight as our four kids! So Tirzah sat with Mia on the flight home. Such a gift of love from the Lord.
Each person has a sunrise and a sunset in life. My prayer has been to ask God to give Jensine a beautiful sunset in His mercy and grace. Pray for our family as we enter a new phase in grieving over/releasing Jensine as God prepares to transition her into the presence of Jesus, her Savior. My heart is hurting. Many of your hearts are hurting too. So many unsettling things in my heart and yet peace that God is both good and gracious. Jesus suffered on the cross and rose from the dead in order to offer us eternal salvation and hope. Someday we who trust Jesus will be reunited with Jensine. The most beautiful Jensine is yet to come. I long for that day.
Please pray for God to give me strength and wisdom/clarity on a number of decisions. I will try to give an update and specific prayer requests later today/tonight. Thanks for your prayers and support/encouragement.
Luke Ahrens
Five plus years ago, Jensine was diagnosed with cancer. Since that time, we have walked this journey with Luke and Jensine. Every step of the way, we’ve had a front-row seat to witness God’s love radiate through them. That’s why I want to share Luke’s latest post with you.
Below is Luke’s latest update about Jensine. They are together in Arizona and may not have much more time together this side of eternity. You may not know the details but what I hope you see is their love for each other forged by God’s love for them. My hope in sharing this is that you will pray for them. I also hope you’ll see that only with a deep, abiding relationship with Christ is this depth of love possible, and that, in that realization, you will pursue, with ever-increasing intensity and passion, a deep, abiding, love relationship with the God that saved you.
With a heavy but hope-filled heart,
PMatt
—
God of Mercy, hold us in Your hands.
What a contrast within two days. Sunday was one of the best days of our lives. Yesterday was one of the hardest days of our lives. When I came in to be with Jensine on Monday morning, she was resting. But when she woke up, something was clearly wrong. For the next few hours she was unsettled, agitated, and disoriented. She was talking, but delusional. Her mind had experienced some sort of dark dream/vision. I did everything I could to settle her down. She spoke to her parents. We prayed over her. I rubbed her hair and feet. I spoke the Gospel over her. We sang Leanna Crawford songs together. We kissed–she settled for 5 minutes. Then the agitation and delusional conversation continued. I/nurses did everything we could to keep her in bed and settled. The doctor decided he could not remove the fluid from the area around her lungs due to her agitation. More pain and anxiety medication. My beautiful bride–her mind broken. Nothing prepares you for this. In the afternoon, after talking with the doctors and nurses, I transitioned Jensine into palliative care. The stronger medications relaxed her. By evening she was much more settled. She was able to talk and even see some beautiful pictures someone sent to us. The Kuyoths and I were able to converse with her. Then she fell asleep. Peace washed over her face and my soul. Late at night I came back to the house with the Kuyoths. I have been reading 2 Corinthians. I read chapter 5:4-5: “For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened–not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.” This helped me go to sleep. By God’s mercy, Jensine’s beautiful, but broken earthly dwelling is now being swallowed up by life. Eternal life, because of Jesus.
Sunday, in God’s grace, was a beautiful gift. I spoke to Jensine early as the kids packed up and got ready to go to the hospital for the last time. Her mind was a little off, but she was excited to give the kids a “surprise”--to show them her new room. The hospital graciously gave her a much bigger room (due to all the family they saw coming in) where she can see the sunrise. I asked a few people to pray for God to give Jensine a clear mind to be able to engage the kids before they flew back to Columbus on Sunday night. When we arrived, Isaiah surprised Jensine with all the pictures many of you sent to her (thank you!). She LOVED it! The pictures–each of different people and different seasons–reminded us of her life-giving spirit and love for each of you. For the first hour or so, she looked at each picture and shared stories from the past with the kids/me. Beautiful. We ate a late lunch around her. Then in the last hour together, we gathered around Jensine and took turns sharing things we loved about her; then in response, she shared beautiful thoughts with each of us. I was able to record this moment. Finally, I asked each of the kids to come up close to her and let her pray a blessing over each one. I had been praying for God to allow a moment of blessing like this. It was beautiful! In fact, all four days (Thursday-Sunday) were clearly scripted in God’s care and love. I am so grateful that we rushed out to see Jensine (along with her parents and brothers). God knew what was about to come, and he gave us a special time of saying “goodbye” and hearing her share words of blessing.
Then it was time for the kids to go to the airport. Goodbyes. Tears. Yet God held us in his hands. Tirzah took it hard. But in God’s grace, I found out earlier in the day that Jen and Mia (one of Tirzah’s closest friends) Rose were coming back to Columbus from California. Turns out that they had a layover in Phoenix–Jen and Mia were on the same flight as our four kids! So Tirzah sat with Mia on the flight home. Such a gift of love from the Lord.
Each person has a sunrise and a sunset in life. My prayer has been to ask God to give Jensine a beautiful sunset in His mercy and grace. Pray for our family as we enter a new phase in grieving over/releasing Jensine as God prepares to transition her into the presence of Jesus, her Savior. My heart is hurting. Many of your hearts are hurting too. So many unsettling things in my heart and yet peace that God is both good and gracious. Jesus suffered on the cross and rose from the dead in order to offer us eternal salvation and hope. Someday we who trust Jesus will be reunited with Jensine. The most beautiful Jensine is yet to come. I long for that day.
Please pray for God to give me strength and wisdom/clarity on a number of decisions. I will try to give an update and specific prayer requests later today/tonight. Thanks for your prayers and support/encouragement.
Luke Ahrens
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