Dear Friends-

As some of you know, a close friend of mine from college, age 28, was killed in a car accident this week.  She was a wife, mother, and missionary in Ethiopia.  She and her husband have two adopted Ethiopian babies.  This entire situation is tragic, and has rocked my close knit college community. 

I pass this along to you today because I am asking you to prayerfully consider helping the family get on their feet.  Amber and her husband Anthony were missionaries, living only on support they raise.  Now that Amber is gone, a whole host of new implications are added to Anthony’s plate.  The family is asking for prayer… MUCH prayer.  So please add them to your prayer list and keep them there as long as you feel led, as I am sure it will take a long time for this young family to adjust to the new normal.

If you feel moved to help Anthony and children meet their physical needs, they ask for donations to be made to the church that manages their support, or, to send gift cards to Target or Wal-Mart to Amber’s family in Millington, TN.  All the pertinent information is below. 

I send this not as a petition for money, but purely as a plea for prayer and to communicate this dire need on behalf of our brother in the body of Christ.  We have an opportunity as the global church to rally around them during this time, with prayer and with other means as you may feel led.  I feel my role is to communicate the need, so I am following Gods call in this manner. 

Blessing to you in Christ,

AnnieLaurie Crane Walters

(the email below is from Amber’s best friend- Amanda)

Hello friends,I know this finds you very saddened and troubled at heart, as mine is. I must confess this is one of the hardest things that I have ever gone through in my entire life. The death of Amber stills seems like a sick joke or a horrible dream that I will soon wake up from. Each day that passes brings me closer and closer to reality where I am having to deal with the fact that my best friend will not be back. My heart is broken for the entire family, but Anthony and Ellie especially. My heartbreak multiplied probably doesn’t even come close to what they must feel. Even with a heavy heart, we must rejoice in the fact that no doubt Amber is at the throne of grace, singing praises to our Heavenly Father. I can just see the grin on her face now! You know, I was reminded the other day that “we are all in a race to see the Father’s face” and we just can be satisfied know that Amber beat us there. Amber would want me all to tell you to not be sad but to use this as a lesson that !  life isa gift and each day we live, the Lord is sustaining us for His glory. As I prayed with Amber the day before she passed, she prayed that exact thing. She thanked the Lord for sustaining us another day for His glory and for the gift of life. WOW! I am claiming Psalms 116:15 which says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” It is PRECIOUS that Amber is with the Father! Please pray hard for this family. More than anything they need you to pray. As many of you know, Amber’s father is not a believer and is taking this pretty hard. The Lord has a plan in all this and hopefully her father’s salvation is in that plan. Amber would tell you that it is all worth it! Pray for the Lord to give the family strength, compassion and comfort that we know only He can give. The family wanted me to let everyone know that they do not prefer flowers or food. Instead, they would prefer you to send monetary donations to Christ Community Church in New Albany, MS. This is the church where they receive their support. You can also send gift cards from Walmart, Target, or Babies R’Us so that they can provide for the kids, Ellie age 4, and Isaac, 6 months. As you know they are missionaries to Ethiopia and are living off of total support and money/donations/gift cards would be much appreciated. Amber’s mom’s address is: 5501 Shipp Road, Millington, TN 38053. The arrangements for Amber are as follows:Viewing- Friday night from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Munford Funeral HomeFuneral- Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in MillingtonPlease continue to look at Anthony’s blog to get updated information: http://www.cold-water-news.blogspot.com/Here is a link to the article about the crash: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jan/23/munford-crash-victim-was-mother-two/Please forward to anyone who might not have gotten this information.With Love,Amanda Nason LemondsCold Water News – Ethiopia http://www.cold-water-news.blogspot.com/The more I rest, the more real it becomes. The more I rest, the more it hurts.Oh! To rest solely in Him, like the great hymn writer:Jesus, I am resting, resting,In the joy of what Thou art;I am finding … Let me clarify that the viewing Friday night is at Munford Funeral Home-MILLINGTON CHAPEL. You could probably google it. It is off of Paul Barrett Pkwy. on Raleigh Millington.