There is no greater life lived than in service of the Almighty God.
On Saturday, August 14, 2010, Dr. Richard Kowalske, 58, died of malaria in Gainesville, Georgia, after recently returning from Uganda. Dr K hosted, taught, loved on–and even baptized some of–our four week team.
Dr. K and his wife, Brenda, founded Helping Hands Foreign Missions in 2002, which focused on the spiritual and medical needs of people in Bolivia and Uganda.
Upon their return to Atlanta, the team told us of their love and respect for Dr. K, his family, and the ministry of Helping Hands in Uganda. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, friend, missionary, doctor, Martial Arts Master, and most of all, man of God.
We are thankful that in this time we do not grieve as those who do not have hope. Dr. K lived and died for Christ. He has impacted–and will continue to impact–many across the world. We are praying for his family, his friends, co-workers, and those he touched overseas, that they will know the comfort of the Holy Spirit in this time of sadness.
For the team as well, we know this as affected you deeply. We are praying for you and are here for you.
Dr. K's memorial service will be Tuesday, August 17, at 11am at Riverbend Baptist Church. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Helping Hands Foreign Missions for the Village of Eden project: http://www.helpinghandsmissions.org.
Dr K. with Momma Tom:
Baptizing Bethany in Lake Victoria with Pastor Moses:
Talking about his vision for the Village of Eden.
the Ambassador Uganda team
Marissa had so many wonderful things to say about him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. No matter how much we know that our loved one is home with their Father, we are still saddened by our loss. I will grieve for the family and friends, but celebrate the Homecoming that I know happened 3 days ago! He touched so many while here on earth and his memory will not be forgotten. I will pray especially for Brenda that she will continue in his memory to be a blessing to so many in need.
Revelation 7:15-17
And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Praise God and His divine grace!
God Bless,
Julie Schley
Amen to everything that Julie wrote!!
Bethany also spoke so highly of him and really enjoyed his preaching. She was very blessed to be baptised by him too while she was there. Being able to see the picture above of her baptismal has really made the scene come alive for me.
I’m very grateful that the team was blessed to be a part of Dr. K and Brenda’s ministry in Uganda and that they had the opportunity to get to know him personally before he graduated! He left his stamp on their lives!
Many people in various countries are now deeply saddened to know that they will never see or hear him again until they join him in Heaven. Even though I never had the privilege of meeting him, I have also been grieving his loss.
I’m praying that God will comfort, strengthen, and divinely guide Brenda as she walks through each day and looks to the future.
I regret that we live too far away to be able to attend the memorial service today. I’m sure that it will really glorify God! May the team and all the rest of us seek God to find out what He would say to us through this man’s life lived for Him and given in service to those He loves here on earth.
Blessings,
Linda Niehaus