A Brother Full of Grace

A dear brother went to be with the Lord as I was on my way to USA to attend the semi-annual training. It caught me by surprise when I first received the message. Initially, I could not believe it and was waiting for an official confirmation. Later, the matter was confirmed. He, being one of my coordinating brothers in the literature service, brothers felt good to atleast attend his memorial day service, but I could not make it as the visa processing for Cananda from USA was about a month or so. Nevertheless, the brothers suggested that I write my testimony concerning him. I considered before the Lord and wrote:

"Grace" is the one unique word that I can use to describe my personal experience with brother Robin Fenwick.  

My first meeting with brother was in 2003 when I was a trainee. When he asked me what I learned most in the training, my reply was "coordination," besides the truths. The fellowship that followed was, words full of life and grace from his experience of Christ. From day one, my impression about him was, "a brother full of grace."

A Shepherd Full of Grace

Brother Robin and sister Diwani were like a "parent" to my family. In 2006, I just got married and began to serve in the literature service. It was brother who shepherded us practically by arranging a house for us to stay, part of which was also used for the literature service. Later, he and sister moved in to stay together with us, and he took care of most of the financial burden. It was such a cherishing to us. Even when we shifted to a new house, till he moved back to Canada, we always stayed together in the same house for years. He did this to take of our family when house rent was beyond our capacity to bear. He always shared the bigger portion of the rent saying that "those who have more pay more; all that we have are from the Lord and always share with the needy saints." Because of his shepherding, now my family is doing the same to the brothers who live with us, in the same principle. 

Besides, when my younger brother and cousin brothers needed a help, he had a view of shepherding them and received all of them into the same house, because of which, all my brothers were gained into the church life through such practical shepherding. And till today, they remember his shepherding love and care. 

A Shepherd Who Taught in Grace

When I was brought into the literature service under his overseeing, he always encouraged me and trusted me. I had no experience then, but he showed me from his personal experience of how to take care of the official matter in the literature office. From dealing with the government on legal matters, accounting, banking, printing, marketing and distribution, to the day to day office file works, he trained me in almost every aspect of running a "business" for which the literature service was registered to the government of India. Till his very last breath, he had been serving with us. I have been graced to learn from him directly, especially in complicated accounting matter of the literature "company." 

As a novice, when I made mistakes I was expecting a rebuke from him, or at least a chastisement, but never once he did. Instead, he fellowshipped with me the proper way to do things. I learned from such a gracious shepherd. 

He is a brother in the Lord who is senior and mature, and my adviser in official matters; I will miss him. He is such a shepherd full of grace to me. 

A Word of Love to the Family

Except sister Diwani, I have never met any of brother Robin's family members and children. Their daddy was my "daddy" in India. I will miss him as much as they all would do. My words to all brother Robin's children: follow the footstep of your father; He is a lover of the Lord Jesus Christ and the church in the Lord's recovery, and a brother full of grace, shepherding the saints as much as he could. 

The Lord will definitely remember his labor of love and work of faith in India. 

Praise the Lord for such a wonderful shepherd and pattern the Lord has set before me!

A Bible Verse That Reminds Me of Brother Robin Fenwick

1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.