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Goodbye My Friend 

Donna Marie Riker 
Born, May 1964 - Home with Jesus, Feb 1995


"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who have been
called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).


This past Friday, February 10, 1995, the Lord brought many people together
for a gathering in North Plainfield, New Jersey. The occasion was the funeral
for Donna Riker, a sister in Jesus and true servant of the Lord. The parlor
was a visible statement of her life for Christ. Donna was an artist and many
of her paintings which glorified the Lord were positioned around her. She was
also the cover artist for a Christian magazine called "Morning Star," and
several of these framed covers were displayed as well.

There was also an easel set up with photographs - many reflecting her faith
in the One she was now in the presence of. Donna's body was dressed in her
wedding gown. Quite visible around her neck was a gold chain upon which was a
single ornament - a Star of David with a cross in the center. Her husband
Rick had bought this and placed it on her for all to see. Although they were
gentiles, much of Donna and Rick's work centered around bringing the Gospel
of Jesus to the Jewish people - to which Rick continues, and for which Donna
has received a special crown.

One of the photographs on the easel was that of a painting of a young boy.
Donna had drawn the painting from a previous photo. The boy, named Isaiah,
was the son of a Jewish man named Jonah.  It was presented to him, out of
Christian love, as he lay dying in a hospital.  He clung to the picture of
his son throughout his last week - an example of the love of Jesus shown
through the artwork of Donna Riker.

Rick and Donna first met in 1987. The Lord had found Rick four years earlier
and delivered him from a life of drugs, depression and great anxiety. Donna's
life was equally difficult, filled with abuse, drinking and sadness until she
came to know the Lord at the age of 22. After dating for two years, the two
were married on June 23, 1990. Since that moment they were a team for Jesus.
If one of them said he or she would help you, as each always would, you got
the other as well - 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 


It was the night of February 3, 1995, in the midst of a terrible snowstorm,
when Donna was suddenly taken ill. She had felt very sick and passed out on
the floor. Rick realized the seriousness of the situation and called 911 and
began administering CPR on his own. Upon the arrival of the paramedics he
called his pastor, Tom Dickerson, and a couple of close friends to pray.
Donna was brought to the hospital and diagnosed with a brain hemorrhage and a
type of bronchial condition which made immediate surgery impossible. On
Tuesday, February 7, the Lord brought her home to Him.  

Even in the midst of her stay at the hospital, the Lord was glorified.  Many
Christians came to visit and pray and the hospital ICU staff allowed them to
enter the room - which was very unusual. The visibility of the Lord's peace
among the brethren who visited - the peace that passes all understanding -
made a great impression on the ICU staff.  They heard the Gospel message from
Rick and others as well.


The night before the funeral, Rick and five other brothers in the Lord met at
his house for fellowship and prayer. Represented within this small group were
Jew and gentile, black and white, along with a half dozen nationalities and
denominational backgrounds. There was an engineer, a church sound system
operator, a biker for Christ, a former hippie - all of one mind and spirit -
all one in Christ. Scripture was read, including all of Romans chapter 8 and
some of the Psalms. Everyone sought the counsel of the Lord and praised Him
for His peace which they all could feel deep within, beneath the grief and
sorrow.

The next morning, it was agreed that the funeral would be conducted to the
glory of God and used to share the Gospel with everyone attending -
especially for the sake of members on both sides of the immediate family, who
had broken off with Rick and Donna since they gave their lives to Jesus. We
were aware that none of them knew the Lord and this is what He would have us
do. There would be three men speaking, each of whom had different messages to
share - yet all related to Donna's earthly life, lived for Jesus, and her
eternal life with Him.


After an opening prayer, the first to speak was Rick and Donna's friend Toby
Trudel. He is the editor of the Christian magazine for which Donna drew the
covers. Many of those present, including the immediate family were not aware
of this aspect of her life. Toby explained how the magazine was read all
around the world especially in many prisons where it is sent and shared. He
spoke of some of the letters received from missionaries abroad and prison
inmates across the USA who especially likes the cover drawings as they always
focused on the content within. These magazines are kept and shared by these
"believers behind bars," as they have precious little other Christian
material to read. Donna's artwork will go on blessing people for a very long
time - even until the Lord returns and beyond.

Toby went on to mention that he, Donna and Rick first met through a computer
network, exactly one year earlier to the day - February 10th, 1994.  It was
an easy day for him to remember as February 10th was Toby's birthday - and
the three of them had always thought that was "kind of neat." As Rick and
Donna's friend and co-worker for the Lord, there was "nowhere else he would
rather be," on this day in 1995.



Pastor Tom Dickerson was second to speak. He had presided over other funerals
in his pastoral duties, but told everyone present that this one was special
as he wasn't doing it as a pastor so much as a friend. Tom spoke of how Donna
had ran the race and won - that she is at peace as she lived a life sold out
to Jesus. Like Lazarus and Jesus, yes there is grief over the loss. Jesus
even cried - but the real deal is resurrection power - and that's what we
find in Jesus.

He told everyone that the lesson is to look around Donna and how she lived
for Jesus. The change in Donna's life was especially seen in her artwork.
Whereas she had painted pictures of sadness and despair in her years prior to
knowing Jesus, since she met her Savior her paintings took on a beautiful,
positive look - to which she always thanked the Lord.

Pastor Tom went on to explain to those present that it was never meant to be
like this - the hard feelings of losing part of yourself were never meant to
be. In the garden before the fall, Man would have never felt emotions like
this. But Praise God, because thanks to Jesus, the lesson in Lazarus coming
forth is that death has no victory over Donna. When Jesus said, "Lazarus come
forth," He came - and you know and I know that there was joy.


Finally, Rick Riker himself addressed those present. Here are some of his
words:

"I could tell you about Donna, but if any want to know of her just ask. I'd
be happy to share with you many stories - for she was the crown the of my
life. One thing I can say is that she is in a better place for she is with
Jesus because she trusted in Him, loved Him and served Him every day of her
Born-again life. Those of you who know us know we lived as a team, for one
purpose - to tell people about Jesus. It was a privilege to us to do this. We
told everyone we met along the way that you can get to heaven only through
the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ's shed blood for your sins on the cross
He died upon for you. 

"At one point in time we were able to be a witness to 100,000 people ... any
of you who passed by this casket and looked upon the pictures next to it saw
a float with a cross in the midst of some wedding pictures. I think it is
only right that this one message be given here for I know she would want me
to share it because it has not changed, and it will not change and I will not
change. That photograph shows some ways you will not get to heaven. This came
from a little booklet you may have seen around this room called "Steps to
Peace With God." In loving memory of my wife I will go on now. Where it was
once Jesus, Donna and me - now it is just me and Jesus."

Rick then picked up one of the booklets and using it, he carefully explained
God's plan of salvation for all to hear.  He then continued to address those
in the room:

"Donna made her choice, she lived and she died for Jesus Christ. My friends,
my family - God has provided the Only way - we must make the choice. Donna
accepted and asked Jesus Christ into her life and now she is with him - for
it is said in the Bible to be absent from the body is to be present with the
Lord. For those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, like
my crown jewel Donna, they too are promised eternal life. Make no mistake my
friends - if you have not accepted Jesus you will not get across the bridge,
you will not get to heaven and you will not see Donna again. 

"In this funeral parlor today are many Pastors, deacons, elders, teachers and
many believers in Jesus Christ. Please, if you have any questions, if you
want to accept Jesus as your Savior, grab one of them they will be glad to
explain this more and help you. They are here for you today. Please consider
this folks, because the brevity of time is evident - just look at where we
are and what happened. She made her choice and if you have not made yours
please. I ask that you do. I'd like to now pray to thank God for His Grace."


Rick, Tom and Toby then met at the casket. Rick knelt down, and with his two
friends standing at his side, he prayed aloud for all to hear:

"Father God, I thank you for our salvation. Lord, I thank you for my wife,
the time we had together. I loved Donna Lord, but your will is done and you
know best and I thank you. Lord, I am extremely grateful for the eight years
we had together. Dear Lord, it was precious. I will miss her very, very much
Lord and I ask you, oh Father God, to help me through. Father, you knew our
heart, what we stood for, what we lived for, what one of us died for. I pray
for the peace of Jerusalem Lord - as Donna and I would every day of our life.
Father, not as the world disfigures this false phony peace process but real
peace that will only come when you are ruling and reigning in Jerusalem and
your spirit covers the earth as the waters cover the sea. Oh Father God, this
old earth is full of wickedness and pain and woe, and I pray for you to come
quickly for your church to take us from this place. I ask that we may serve
you Lord, faithfully, and that many souls will come to a saving knowledge of
you for your Glory - through what we would do. May you use us to reach them
Father. I thank you Lord, in Jesus name, amen."


Rick had chosen a song to be played at this point in the service - a favorite
of Donna and he, called, "Once and for All." 
The song played ...


"Oh won't you come with me, to a hill called Calvary?
See the face of a bruised and dying man. 
Can anyone explain, the mystery beyond the pain of this place,
Where love is born again?

Once and for all, He gave His life, He bled and died.
The sacrifice for all who will take His name, Once and for all.

Oh won't you come and see the tide of all humanity?
They come on bended knee, we cannot close the door.
That isn't why He fought, the war of this place,
Everyone can be free.

Once and for all, He gave His life.
He bled and died, the sacrifice for all,
Who will take His name.

Once and for all, open wide the doors.
There is room for more, tell all the world that a heart can soar,
When you call upon His Holy Name

Once and for all, there is freedom.
Once and for all, there is healing.
Love sealed it - Once and for all.

It goes on and on, out to everyone,
Who will call upon His name.
Oh the tide will turn, for all those who yearn.
For a heart that Burns with His flame,
Once and for all."


Following the funeral, Rick mentioned to his friend Toby that he wanted to
keep the chain with the Star of David and cross ornament, as a reminder of
the occasion. He needed to ask one of the funeral parlor directors to
retrieve it. Before he did this, Toby showed Rick that he had a very similar
star and cross on a chain which he was wearing around his own neck and asked
him if it could be placed on Donna before the casket was closed. Rick agreed
that this was a good thing to do and the exchange was done by the director.
Later on, Rick gave the one he had purchased to Toby.

The funeral parlor directors themselves were greatly affected by the service.
One of them could not hold back the tears. In all their years conducting
hundreds of funerals, one said, "I have never experienced anything like
this."


Another piece of music which was a favorite of Donna and Rick's, "The River
Unbroken," was played at the cemetery.  A train actually rode by on some
nearby track, sounding its whistle as this very song played ...


"Waiting for the train to come. I keep waiting for the train to come.
Dreaming of the everlasting rising Son, I keep thinking about the world to
come.

My life packed up in a suitcase - Oh man, staring from the doorway,
My Hope tarries in the distance, the Lord comes on the wheels of my
deliverance

Oh, oh, oh ...Wherever is the river unbroken? 
Oh, oh, oh ... when will the whistle blow?
Waiting for the train to come, I keep waiting for the train to come.

Keeping my appointment with the One who lives, in the heart of everything
that is.
All night sleeping at the station - Dear God, it's hard not to be impatient.
I watch the windows of forgiveness, I cry and my word's my only witness.

Oh, oh, oh ...  wherever is the river unbroken? 
Oh, oh, oh ... when will the whistle blow?
Oh, oh, oh ... wherever is the river unbroken? 
Oh, oh, oh ... when will the whistle blow?

Sometimes I feel I cant go on - I get so tired - all passion's gone.
My head, my heart, my arms my legs - will I have the strength to crawl away? 

Then something takes hold inside my soul, finally taking hold a my hands.
My eyes can see those mighty clouds of joy coming to me.

Singing,  oh, oh, oh ... wherever is the river unbroken? 
Oh, oh, oh ...wherever is the river unbroken?
Oh, oh, oh ...when will the whistle blow?

Wherever is the river unbroken? When will the whistle blow?
I'm waiting for the train, I'm ready for the train.
Oh, oh, oh ..."
 

Five things became evident during the days following the service ... 

Friends and acquaintances would ask how the funeral went.  The reply they
heard from Rick, Toby, Tom and others, which many did not quite understand,
is that it was "WONDERFUL." 

The three men who spoke at the funeral were used by the Lord to bring His
message of love and forgiveness to a number of people present. Prior to the
service they prayed to the great "COUNSELOR" for the right words to say as
there was little time for rehearsal.

Though nervous, they received great strength when it was time to speak, from
"THE MIGHTY GOD" and each man confidently delivered his part of a single
message.

The message of all three centered around the everlasting life as promised by
the "EVERLASTING FATHER," which Donna and all whose faith is in Jesus have -
and which all can have if they turn to Him.

Finally, there was the inner peace from the "PRINCE OF PEACE," that all the
believers felt and showed when they were at the hospital, the funeral home
and through the days that followed. 

We know that the reason for these five things experienced is JESUS, because;

"... His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The
everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).




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