Charles’ newfound joy in life and appreciation for others spilled over in many ways. He spent more and more time with the children in the Woodcrest School, and many came to love him in a special way. Charles was thrilled to have them come and read to him in his house, or stroke the kitten that would often lie purring in utter contentment across Charles’ throat while he slept in his easy chair.  After a meeting of brothers in a newly renovated building, Charles wrote glowingly, as if anticipating the end of his journey:

“The Bible tells us that there are many mansions in our Father’s house. It’s true. I speak from experience: I’ve been in one of them. I knew I was on holy ground as soon as we arrived there. One of my brothers helped me out of the car and up a short flight of stairs into a room that was totally glowing with love. You could feel it in the warmth coming from the fireplace – ablaze, no doubt, with logs that had been split by some of the Brothers. The whole room oozed of love though – you could see it in all the beautiful restoration work done by the Shalom Brothers in their ‘spare time.’ You could also hear it in the Brother’s voices as they broke into song and shared prayers, thoughts, and feelings from deep within their hearts. And, everywhere you could sense it in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Oh yes – there are surely many mansions in our Father’s house. We can’t even begin to imagine how beautiful and awesome they could all possibly be. The evening passed by all too quickly though – very like a dream. How I long to return, again and again with my Brothers, to this special gathering place … this earthly yet oh so heavenly place.”

If there is a message that rings clearer than any other through Charles’ life and passing this Easter, it is that we must all, like Charles, become children by allowing Jesus into our hearts and letting Him do what He will.

Just hours before he left this world Charles penned a greeting to couple living in a Pennsylvania community. He died before he could send it. “Today is a day of great joy and celebration,” he wrote. “Happy Easter.” Dear brother Charles, we celebrate with you. And, as many of your friends wrote upon hearing of your passing: “Alleluia. Christ is Risen.”

 

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