Well Done!

Robyn Joan Lowry, our friend, colleague, and a pastor’s wife at IBC for 40 years, went to be with her Savior around midnight on Tuesday. She was looking forward to seeing Jesus and I believe she has already heard Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant, Robyn.”

On Saturday November 5, her graveside service will be private with her family; but then at 11:00 AM, everyone is invited to a Celebration of Life Service at IBC, followed by a fellowship luncheon.

Robyn accepted Christ as a young adult at a coffee house in her home country of New Zealand. Shortly thereafter, she took a ship from NZ through New York harbor to attend Washington Bible College, where she met and eventually married Curt Lowry. They have served the Lord together faithfully for 47 years.

Her life verse and personal testimony states, “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him (Ps. 40:1-3).”

Her journey of illness has been extremely difficult this past year and especially the past few months. Many times, Pastor Curt referred to the verse that God gave them this year from Joshua, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (1:9).

In more recent days, Curt shared that he identified with Paul’s testimony in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9a, “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it (a thorn in the flesh) away from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” Curt and Robyn’s example of faithfulness to serve God and others has been a blessing to our church family and far beyond.

Gerri and I consider partnership with Curt and Robyn to be one of the special joys of pastoring at IBC. We have 34 years of memories, including the 2009 Footsteps of Paul Tour that IBC gave us after 20 years of ministry and 25 years for the Lowry’s. Here’s a picture from Greek Night on the cruise ship while sailing from Athens to Ephesus.

Robyn was a nurse and a talented artist and decorator, with a caring heart. Her work ethic and sacrificial service are legendary. She had a special love for internationals, the displaced, and the hurting. She used her gifts of mercy and hospitality to show God’s love and open doors for the Gospel to countless people.

Robyn was a loving mom and grandmother, whose ministry of prayer has been greatly used by the Lord. Her son Curtis, who recently retired from the US Army and has been able to be here with his wife Sonja to help Curt and Robyn for the past few weeks, shared a verse with me that reminds us of the joys of heaven that Robyn is now experiencing, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor has the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9).

We will miss our dear friend and sister in Christ; but we know that she is with Christ and that all believers will be together in His presence soon.