STORYTIME TAPESTRY

Special Treat  - Robyn Cavalera

April 26 2005

4-23-2005

About Ken Sangeleer, My Friend

Robyn Cavalera

My dear friend, Vietnam Veteran, and husband of my Vietnam Vet Bev, Ken Sangeleer, died on April 21, 2005 seven in the morning. His passing was peaceful and very sudden to us all. Lord I feel like I failed him and You. Ken Sangeleer was my friend. It was he and Bev his wife who gave me the car I now have. I have known them both I guess about 15 years. Never have I know two more caring and generous people.  They always thought first of others over themselves. When I first began going to the VVB reunion and Moving Wall tribute, I met so many lost and hurting Vets. As the years progressed they found Peace with Vietnam and God most of them. I never really got to pray the sinners??™ prayer with any but two, but they all certainly heard the Gospel from me. I was never shy about Jesus, and I was, after many years, fondly called the Jesus Freak. I did not mind at all. Ken was one I spoke to often in the first few years of Jesus, but as years went on he would just turn to me and say, "Its OK Robyn, Jesus and I are good friends." He would smile that smile and laugh at me! One time when I tried to push a little harder, he walked away, and just said, "Robyn I love you, but I have heard this for too long now. Stop the record already." I and Jesus are fine." Again just smiling and laughing.  Never in an angry way.  So I let it be. After all, I can not know a mans heart, only Jesus can. My daughter was there at the Reunion last year, and had been talking to Bev and Ken for a while. As she left to go home, she turned to me and said, "Mom treasure this time with him.  Spend time to talk and love on him." I looked at her and said, "With who", "Ken" she said. "The Lord just told me he will not be back next year." I had no idea what the Lord had told her. I thought she meant that he would not be working another Reunion. I let the WORD pass and said, OK. When I went to the Wall this year, I felt as though the Lord was telling me it was the end of my time there. I can't explain it, I just knew that I had gotten too familiar and friendly with them to really preach at them any longer. Over the last two years it had been more work than Ministry, and the ones I did talk to, well they now know Jesus. As I sat there Sunday on the 17th. I just felt it was time to go home and let the younger ones take over. The fire was gone from within me, as was the Passion I once had. I normally would have just headed for home, but for some reason I decided to try to find Ken and Bev's house. Ken had been ill during the year, and so I wanted to stop, say hi, and pray for him.  I had been there once or twice, but it had been so long that I was not even sure of where it was. I went up a few streets looking, and was about to give up when I pulled to a four way stop, and there across the street was the old blue car. I sat and looked at it, and thought, "Lord, that is Ken's car isn't it?" I took a chance and pulled across. Sure enough it was their house. I hugged and spoke with Bev a few minutes, then went in the bedroom by Ken. When I saw him my heart broke. He was so sick. We chatted for awhile, and during the conversation I just made a little light remark to him. I said, "Listen Ken, I know how you feel about me praying for you all the time, but I am going to pray with you before I leave here, so get it in your head now OK?" He smiled and said OK Robyn. We talked for a time, and I knew he was getting winded and tired. I slide the chair near to him and took his hand to pray with him. I am not sure all I prayed. I really do not remember, but I know I said the fact that Jesus died on the cross, and shed His Blood for forgiveness of sins and the healing of all our diseases. That He rose again from the grave, so that we who believe in Him are healed by His stripes, and forgiven from sins by His Grace and Mercy. I spoke more healing to his body and mind, I spoke of peace to his soul, and ended with letting him know how much I loved him and Jesus loves him. He smiled and while I was praying he did something Ken has never done before. He took his other hand and held on fast to mine as I held his one hand. Ken had never done that before. He held me so tight as I prayed I though he would break my hand. But it was not a hold that was trying to let go, but rather one that seemed to be holding on to each word I said. That is the only consolation I have right now. I do know Ken was saved, from speaking to Bev and others who knew him in that way. He spoke of knowing Jesus, I pray he really did, or at least met HIM after I left that day. Bev called me tonight to ask me to be at the Park tomorrow at the Sunday Service. I will be there. Lord please if there is to be an opportunity to speak to Bev or another about Salvation, give me another chance to do it right this time. The pain I am in right now is unbearable. I heard You tell me to bring Ken in one of the Bibles from church and a track, but I did not realize it was You, or chose to ignore it, thinking I had taken enough of their time, and Ken was so tired. I wish I had done that Lord. I really do.

I want to add some thing here to any who may one day read this. The worst thing that can happen to any Child of God is to get so comfortable with people we have known for years. To be such good friends with them that we never really ask them point blank, do you know Jesus as Lord, and have you asked Him for forgiveness of your sins? We don't ask because we assume they are friends of ours, and we are a living witness to them, of the love of Christ, by now they must have asked Him into their hearts. I now know this is a lie from the enemy, and a way that he keeps us from fulfilling the great commission, to preach to Gospel of Jesus Christ, and Him Crucified. People, if you have "old friends" and are comfortable with them from knowing them for so long. Please don't assume anything. Don??™t keep from asking for fear or worry of losing that friendship by being branded a fanatic. Or something. We have a saying in this country. Friends don't let friends drive drunk. Maybe it should read.... Friends don't let friends go to hell!

So to ALL my friends out there , in case you did not really hear me at any time.  I say....

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."  "No man comes to the Father except through ME!"    "If you will confess with your mouth, that Jesus IS Lord, and believe in your heart, God raised HIM from the dead. you will be saved."  "For He has and will forgive all who go to HIM in prayer and ask for forgiveness of sins, HE will forgive those sins, and wash you clean in the Precious Blood of the Lamb, and come to live in your heart as Lord and Savior.  Jesus shed HIS Blood, that we would be forgiven and set free!!!

Robyn Cavalera
Prayer Warrior/Demon buster
robyajesusfreak@bellsouth.net
321-268-0390
2950B Temple Lane, Mims, FL. 32754
Go into all the world and preach the Gospel.
Heal the sick, cast out demons,
raise the dead, free the prisoners
Proclaim the Good News of forgiveness
of sins in Jesus Christ alone!