Alan

Alan Winter is much more than my father-in-law... he is one of the most amazing men I've ever known.  We are stunned that the end of his life came March 1st at only 58 years old, but what a full life it was.  Alan's charismatic and genuine personality left a mark on every person he met, which means that not only is his family grieving, but also the 100's and 1,000's of people who can honestly say that if it hadn't been for Alan they wouldn't be alive, wouldn't still be married, or wouldn't have faith.  And even more who can simply say that they felt sincerely that someone cared for them when Alan looked them in the eyes and asked "How are you doing?"  Because he never asked in the casual way that the rest of us usually ask.  He asked because he wanted to listen, connect, share, and love.

I met Alan when I was about 11 years old and my brothers and dad started going to the church where he was youth minister.  I had the pleasure of attending his youth camps, complete with battle ball tournaments, worship, and ridiculous games like picking up greased watermelons from a lake and dumping them into your raft.  Alan was not only full of deep faith and love for God, he was also full of fun.  It just so happened that during these youth camps and church services I happened to notice that Alan's son, Justin, was pretty great too, but lots of my friends had crushes on him so I tried not to like him too much.

(See that cup of water on the right? I'm pretty sure Alan was holding me down so someone could pour water on me... that's pretty typical Alan)

Alan started Frontline, his missions organization, in 1997, and I went with him twice to Honduras and twice to Venezuela from my Sophomore year of high school through my freshman year of college.  "Flexibility!" I remember him cheering to us as he prepared us for the unexpected twists and turns of missions to remote areas of South America.  We hiked up mountains together and forged through flooded roads, and I fell in love with the people and culture of South America.  I decided to study Spanish in college in hopes I could use the skill to better communicate with them in the future.

Alan and Anna on my 3rd trip, to Venezuela.

 This picture is full of memories and meaning.  Pedro is on the far left.  He and his sister, Natasha, worked as translators for us.  Pedro died tragically a number of years ago while suffering a fall at his job, but his cheery, fun personality is clearly remembered.  Dayana is in the center of this picture getting one of Alan's famous hugs.  She decided to follow Christ when we visited her church on this trip, which was the beginning of a long lasting relationship between the Winter family and Dayana, the extent of which I cannot explain here, but she is one of those whose life would not be the same without Alan.  

Alan had me sing and play music at the different churches and villages we visited.  He always loved for me to sing "I Can Only Imagine," which surfaced to my mind as I stood in the hospital room and he passed on to paradise.  

My freshman year of college I started dating Justin Winter.  When we became engaged it was the most amazing blessing to find out that Alan had said to himself before we dated, "If I could chose a wife for my son, it would be Anna!"  Alan, Heidi, and Justin's sisters Joanna and Janice and adopted brother Jerry welcomed me with open arms into their family.

 Alan officiated Justin and my wedding. 

He was the best pastor to stand in the downpour and marry us as we all laughed at the weather.  What a day that was!

 When our first son, William, was born Alan chose the name "PaPai" as his grandpa name.  It is Portuguese, which is fitting since he traveled often to Brazil. 

Vera came along and loved her MaMai and PaPai.

Silas loved PaPai's big hugs and rough-housing.

It pains me to know that Patrick won't remember much of PaPai, but he squealed with glee every time he saw "a ay!"  Patrick and all the youngest grandchildren will hear his stories and know that they have a PaPai who loves them from heaven.

On Saturday February 18th, 2017, Alan was on a plane to Columbia, South America for a mission trip when he suffered a stroke.  The following day Justin flew down to help his Mom get Alan back home for more intensive care.  At first Alan could say his name, and he said "Amen" and "Thank you" to Justin, but as each day passed his condition declined.  I was able to spend about 20 minutes holding Alan's hand when he got back to the states Thursday afternoon.  He smiled at me and squeezed my hand.  The hospital then took him to run tests and immediately saw the need for emergency surgery.  A second surgery followed and each day the prognosis got worse.  We learned he had something called vascular eagle's syndrome. God was merciful to slowly walk us towards the understanding that Alan wasn't going to make it through this.  God led us with baby steps each day to process letting go of the precious father, PaPai, friend, and pastor we all love.  We still aren't ready to live this life without him here, but I'm grateful we could say goodbye.

 We are left with the most beautiful memories, and the truest example of shining Christ's light on this earth.  Alan challenges me to treat every encounter with others with love and care.  He saw the opportunity to love Christ in every person he met... the store clerks and airplane flight attendants, the rich and poor, the lovable and the outcasts...all.  

 (William is 3 and Vera is 1 in this picture, enjoying an Easter egg hunt put on by MaMai and PaPai)

Alan is one of 8 children in his family.  His surviving siblings and his mother live in Northern Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula, Michigan.  Our children LOVE going to visit Michigan in the winter.  PaPai held them on Shelly's pony sleigh rides, he walked out on frozen lakes with them, and he helped carve out the perfect sledding hill (you southern folks like me, when I say sledding hill I mean that no ride I've ever been on at an amusement park could compare with the speed and sheer terror/joy of this sledding hill... of course Vera loved it).  

Here are 4 generations of Winter men: Alan, William, Roy, and Justin.  We had to say goodbye to Great Grandpa Winter two years ago.  

Grandpa Winter was a remarkable woodworker.  Alan was handy at everything and even built his own home, which is how his children began learning handy skills as they hammered away.

Despite PaPai's busy schedule traveling the world to share Jesus' love, PaPai was there for all the birthday parties, the hikes, the school performances, and the house projects.  He got to watch his family multiply as all the grandkids were together for Thanksgiving or Christmas.  Oh how our hearts ache for Alan; we want to listen to more of his stories, watch his eyes tear up as he empathizes with those suffering, be wrapped in his tight hugs, and see his big smile.  We had to say goodbye much too soon.  

Right now the heaviness of Lent is settling upon us, but at the end of the 40 days we will celebrate the glorious resurrection of Christ who "Trampled down death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestows life." I'm certain Alan has been welcomed into paradise with the words "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Memory Eternal