We only saw each other at these meetings. Then I left for Shell with my family. But a little over a year later, the Esteses were assigned to Shell! Kathy Jo told me later that she had been nervous about going, not being familiar with the missionaries there...but it was a comfort to think, "At least I know Becky!"
For six years in Shell (with a furlough for her in there somewhere) we reared our kids together, cried in each other's tea, laughed together...and learned more and more about life and our Father. Then they were re-assigned to Quito, but we always kept in touch.
Kathy Jo had a knack for encouraging others to do things that she was sure they could do...whether they thought they could or not. She's a great seamstress, and I learned from her. One day she came over with a pattern and instructions for smocking. "You can do this!", she told me...and I found I could! I wouldn't have even tried if she hadn't made me feel I could do it.
Another time, as I was coming back from the school, she met me at my front door and told me that she'd heard on the radio that the Ecuadorian missionary society was asking for entries to their contest for a theme song for their up-coming convention. I had been composing songs, but...enter a national contest? But Kathy Jo thought I could do it. So I did...and I won the contest! It's likely that I wouldn't have even tried if she hadn't made me feel I could do it.
Kathy Jo had quite an impact on some of the young people in Shell, even some who were "difficult" and full of problems...they knew that they were always welcome in her kitchen to talk and be listened to while she worked. They grew to trust her, and over time it's been obvious that her influence made a definite difference in their lives. One girl in particular, who was pretty wild, ended up going to a Christian Bible institute in Argentina, then came back and married a classmate, with whom she now serves the Lord full-time.
Two couples that I can think of asked Kathy Jo and Jim to be their "padrinos" for their weddings...and Kathy Jo went one step farther and made their wedding dresses!
Our children became sort of like siblings or cousins, and when we were in the same place at the same time, we celebrated Christmas and Thanksgiving together. Our kids still call them "Aunt" and "Uncle"...and I think they probably always will!
For several years, Kathy was one of the school nurses at the Alliance Academy, and our daughter Debbie was at one time their assistant. She has told us that "Aunt Kathy" (and "Aunt" Cookie) definitely inspired her in her decision to become a nurse.
I'm just scratching the surface here, trying to show a brief glimpse of my dear friend's encouraging and nurturing spirit, that has caused so many people to love, esteem and respect her...and rightly so. She and Jim have been true ambassadors of Jesus' love, and they will be sorely missed. I imagine there are few dry eyes among all their friends down here.
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When we still lived in Shell, the Esteses had to leave for a furlough. It was such a hectic time! Packing up all their stuff, traveling with four little children. We had never been on a furlough as a family, since we were employees at that time, not yet career missionaries...but I'm an MK, and I remember furloughs my family took.
So I decided to write a poem for Kathy Jo, whimsical, light-hearted, IRONIC verse to make her smile! (It reflects furlough preparation of several decades ago...nowadays it's a lot different!) Here it is:
Pre-Furlough Thoughts
Furlough is a time of fun,
greatly enjoyed by everyone;
with restful, first-class airplane flights,
(red eyes, sick kids and sleepless nights).
Engaged in the "cross-airport run",
the challenges are a delight.
Waiting for you will be a crowd.
They'll ooh-and-aah, exclaim aloud.
They'll say, "The kids are growing up!"
(Then the poor dears are throwing up...)
You thought you'd be all smiles, so proud.
Instead, you feel like blowing up.
Then comes the driving miles and miles,
with expectations running wild,
as well as tempers, tears and noses;
so by the time your journey closes
you've quite forgotten how to smile.
(Though it's not as bad as one supposes.)
The meals you have will be so good!
You drool just thinking of the food.
In fact, you grin from ear-to-ear...
marshmallows, cranberries, cold root beer...
(the only thing to spoil the mood
is fatter legs and wider rear).
But all these things are still to come;
right now you've a half-empty home,
barrels and boxes left and right;
never a day without a fight.
You let imagination roam
and dream you're going to travel light.
If magic lamps were still the trend,
you'd steal Aladdin's genie friend
and leave the packing all to it -
the cleaning, storing - the whole bit;
and, cool and calm up to the end,
you'd leave one-hundred-percent fit.
If you're depressed and all run down,
your feet can hardly leave the ground,
decisions seem to fog your brain...
don't think it's only you in pain:
I've never seen a furlough-bound
step on the plane completely sane!
(Becky Rhon, May 1985)
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Kathy Jo, you have been and are a special part of my heart! God bless you richly!
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(For those who don't know them, Jim and Kathy Jo Estes have served with HCJB
{now Reach Beyond} in Ecuador for about 36 years {I think}, and are leaving the country in preparation for retirement. In the picture, Kathy's on the left, I'm on the right.)
