July 22, 2002

Dear Friends,

As many of you already know (through the amazing Christian grapevine which circles the globe so fast in these days of e-mail) our oldest son, Dale Stock (44), went to be with the Lord on July 13. Since Esther (14) and Luke (almost 11) had a three-week holiday before starting a new school year at Murree Christian School, the family returned to their place of work in Tando Mohammed Khan in the southern part of Pakistan. On July 13 they joined their friends, Bill and Sheila McKelvie, with their three children on an outing to a large lake near Thatta for a swim and a picnic. All were good swimmers and enjoyed the water before lunch. After their picnic Esther and Luke as well as the McKelvie twins Mark and Rebecca (12) jumped into the water for another swim. The day was windy and the water somewhat rough. Dale began to video the kids in the water when suddenly he discovered they were struggling to keep afloat. Immediately he jumped in and gave Esther and Luke a push towards shore, then swam further out to help Rebecca. Mark was in a separate area, also struggling, so Bill jumped in and swam to him. Rebecca was on Dale’s back when suddenly Dale called, "Help!" and began to sink. She immediately let go so as not to hinder him. Then she felt a strong push on her back that propelled her forward in the water toward an innertube which a man was bringing out to them. Dale came up briefly but again sank. The children and Bill McKelvie were able to grasp the inner tube, but the downward pull of the water was so strong that Bill said he could not have resisted it a minute longer. They were pulled to shore and Bill was so exhausted he could only lie on the beach and recover. Dale never came up again. A Pakistani man started out to try to find him but turned back when the pull was too powerful. Onlookers offered to drive to a nearby village to get two divers. Daniel McKelvie (17) went with them.

Over half an hour later they returned. The divers were able to find Dale¹s body within minutes, close to where he sank, and they experienced no unusual pull of the water. That had subsided by then. Nicky, Dale’s wife, who is a competent nurse, and Bill McKelvie, an excellent doctor, did their best to resuscitate Dale as they drove to the nearest hospital in Thatta, but there was so sign of life. He had gone to be with the Lord he loved so dearly.

Praise items

PRAISE that Nicky and the children were not alone at that time. The McKelvie family were and have continued to be a tremendous support to them. It took five hours to process things through the hospital and the police at Thatta. Sheila telephoned church leaders in Hyderabad who sent word to every parish and were standing ready to help when they arrived there shortly before midnight.

PRAISE for the loving way many Christian Pakistani friends washed and prepared Dale’s body and made arrangements for a casket to be made. There are no undertakers here. These services are performed by family and friends. Arrangements were made to have the funeral at their home on the plot three miles outside of Tando Mohammed Khan. Because there is no way to preserve a body, burials are held within 24 hours. Dale was buried in the Christian cemetery at Tando Mohammed Khan.

PRAISE for the many who came at such short notice from near and far to express their appreciation for Dale, his character, and his ministry. Nicky experienced a great outpouring of their love. PRAISE for the way the Lord has upheld her and the children these difficult days, as she has been living with the McKelvies.

PRAISE for the way the Lord enabled our scattered family to be informed within a short time. We were in Albania with our daughter, Ruth, and her family, whose phone number had been recently changed. An e-mail from Rev. Munir, a close pastor friend in Pakistan, urged us to phone him. With many tears he broke the news to us. We were able to contact Nicky by phone shortly after she arrived in Hyderabad and learn some details. Friends helped us trace Paul, who was touring churches in California, and Lois, who had moved to a new home in Minnesota on furlough from Bangladesh. We could only contact Sara and David in Central Asia by e-mail.

PRAISE that we were able to change our tickets and return to Pakistan by Tuesday evening. Each of our children has felt led to come here too. This has required visas and sudden travel plans. PRAISE for spouses who are willing to let them come while they stay behind to care for the children. Paul, Ruth, and Lois and Lois’ daughter Kristen, are all on the same flight arriving on the July 21. Nicky’s mother, Annie Van Leeuwen (who is 82 but in good health) and her brother, Symen, and two directors of their mission, Interserve, are
arriving on the 22. So God is graciously giving us a special family reunion, a time we can cry together, recall precious memories and be bonded in a new and deeper way.

PRAISE that our youngest daughter, Sara and her husband, David Treece, received word Monday morning, one day before their visa for Pakistan was to expire. Immediately they set out overland for the Pakistan border and managed to make it on that final date! They are already here with us—a great comfort!

PRAISE for the flood of e-mails and letters that we receive each day, telling of your love and prayers. We have felt supported and strengthened, surrounded by the love of Jesus and of so many of you. Thank you.

PRAISE for the chance Fred had to preach in Albania the morning after Dale’s home-going. As he shared our sorrowful news, he used Dale’s example to challenge the young people to choose to serve the Lord. Many were in tears and we pray that decisions were made that day which will bring others into eternal life.

PRAISE that Dale’s death has been used to enable George McBane to receive permission to return to Pakistan to be with us at this time of crisis. We are so grateful that he will be here, arriving on the 21. He will be able to visit the work in Rahim Yar Khan, make needed decisions and give valuable guidance. We are not sure yet how long he can stay, but rejoice that the door has opened a crack at least.

Most of all we PRAISE God for Dale’s life. When he was four years old and Paul was two, we were on our first home leave from Pakistan. One day we were sorting slides, with Paul constantly trying to "help" us. Exasperated, we said, "Paul, don’t bother us! We’re busy!" Immediately Dale piped up from the next room, "Come and bother me, Paul. I’m not busy." To us, this has typified Dale and his ministry. He was a gentle, humble, joyous man of God, who had a servant heart. He was never too busy to help others, often in very
practical ways—fixing their tape recorders, repairing their cars, driving them to the hospital, etc. Several years he worked to repair hospital equipment. But he also had a passion to share the good news with the many around who don’t know our Savior. For the past eight years he has put his full energy into evangelism. The last time we saw him was in early June when his train stopped for a few minutes in Rahim Yar Khan station. We asked how his work was going. With a radiant smile he said, "Very encouraging!" We have
heard since that he had just been given a warm invitation to show the Jesus film to a whole series of villages. He was looking forward to
that opportunity with joy.

Many have commented that heaven’s choir is now enriched by his beautiful baritone voice. Dale loved to sing and his singing was a blessing to us all. We will miss it sorely!

Prayer Items

Of course there has been tremendous pain in the hearts of us all at the loss of Dale. Your prayers have upheld us in a wonderful way these days. But we will all continue to need your prayers in the future.

PRAY especially for Nicky, Esther, and Luke, as they adjust to the many changes in their lives which have come so suddenly and unexpectedly because of Dale’s death. At present they all plan to return to Murree for the month of August. The children want to continue to go to Murree Christian School and Nicky is hoping to find some way she can serve at the school so that she can be near the children at least until Christmas. PRAY that the right doors will open for her future service here.

PRAY for the two memorial services that are being planned here in Pakistan. One will be held on July 24 at the Rattanabad Conference Centre which is close to Paul’s home. It will be in Urdu, the national language of Pakistan, and will be attended primarily by our Pakistani friends and co-workers. Many are coming these days to express their love and sorrow. They want a chance to share their memories of Dale and how he has impacted their lives. PRAY that this will be a very meaningful time and that lives will be changed as a
result of these testimonies. Nothing would please Dale more deeply.

The second memorial service will be held on July 31 in the hill resort of Murree at Murree Christian School where the children attend. It will be in English and primarily for the missionary community to express their appreciation, love and sorrow. PRAY this too will have a deep effect on the lives of many, especially the young people who attend MCS.

PRAY for safe travels for all the family as they gather here for these two memorial services and then return to their homes. PRAY also for their spouses who are taking care of the children in their absence. Pat Stock has four children to care for, Kyle Scott has three, and Mark Stoscher has three, including our youngest grandchild, Jamie, who is under two years old. Mark is very involved in a full camping program for young people as well. So they will all have their hands full!

PRAY for good health for Nicky’s mother, Annie Van Leeuwen, as she is not used to the food and climate of this part of the world. She has come to Pakistan several times before and is a good sport, but we are concerned that she keep in good health while here.

We are still planning to go back with Sara and David to visit their country of service August 3 through 27. We are looking forward to that experience, especially the opportunity to see and understand their situation. PRAY for our travels and for sensitivity to the people and culture among whom they live.

We will plan to go to Rahim Yar Khan with George McBane JULY 27 to 30 including the first day of Workers’ Meeting. PRAY for important decisions that need to be made while George is with us.

Margie’s grandmother, a missionary in India, lost her daughter when thieves broke into the house and murdered her. When someone said, "How sad I am at her untimely death!" she replied, "Death is never untimely. We just need the eyes of God to understand why the time is right."

Your loving messages have been wonderfully encouraging to us at this time of sorrow and loss. We are astonished at how far and how fast the news has traveled and the many who have already contacted us. It has been very touching to read of how Dale has impacted the lives of so many who knew him. Although we can’t understand why this has happened, we trust Him who knows so much more than we do. We are deeply thankful for the privilege of having had Dale these 44 years. He has enriched our lives immeasurably! And he has added Nicky, Esther, and Luke to the family. They too continue to delight our hearts. Thank you so much for your prayers.

In His love,

Margie and Fred Stock