Our Tribute

Today, we pause to honor the life of a beloved partner and travel team member, Terri Clark. Terri transitioned to her heavenly home on August 19, 2020. She logged untold thousands of miles as a “sent one” on Firefall International missions to Myanmar, NE India, China, Vietnam and other nations. Terri taught in women’s conferences with transparency, humor and a deep desire to see women grow in their faith.

Terri loved the people and the food of the nations

Terri was a delightful ministry team member, up for any challenge. She never complained about cramped vans or busses, “strange” food, lumpy mattresses or thin, tiny towels. Each morning and evening, she checked in with her adoring husband, Harvey. They would share details of their respective days with great affection. Theirs was a real love story. Harvey encouraged her to follow God’s dream for her life and she cheered him on whole-heartedly.

Terri’s passion to see God’s love displayed in Jesus Christ change lives fueled her travel with Firefall International and our friendship. We will miss you, dear and faithful woman of God. Thank you for your example of faith, obedience and joy in the journey!

-Nancy

Minh’s Tribute

I met Terri over fifteen years ago for the first time when she joined with the Firefall team to speak at a women’s conference in Vietnam. Serving as her translator, I got to know her life, her stories and experiences and how God led her into intimacy with Himself. She touched the lives of many women leaders who are still touching other lives. Personally, I was invited to her home in Arkansas, where I rode on the back of her motorcycle to visit her house of prayer up on a hill. She welcomed me in with her joyful and bright face.

I will miss you, Terri, as a close friend of my spiritual Mom, Nancy! I heard about you through her and I got to know you as we worked together. May you rest in peace with our most loving Father in Heaven. See you there!

-Minh Van Thai

Pastor David’s Tribute

I first met this woman of God at the Myanmar conference conducted by Firefall International where she delivered a very anointed message from the Word of God. Many Myanmar lady church leaders were blessed by her ministry. We still hear testimonies today.

I was very challenged and encouraged by Terri’s burden and love for lost souls around the world, especially Africa and Asia. She shared this with me while I visited with her in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Her heart made me want to serve more and to sacrifice more for the lost in my land, Myanmar!

I was both saddened and thrilled when I heard of Terri’s entry into her Heavenly Home. I am really proud of her life here on earth as she followed her Savior faithfully until the end and served Him. Her witness is still instructing and preaching to many people. Thanks for it! We love you and will see you one day in the presence of our loving Father.

-David Siang and House of Glory Family, Myanmar

Junia’s Tribute

I would like to honor and salute you, Aunty Terri Clark. You are a woman of faith, love, generosity and prayer. You have the lovely, humble heart of a servant of God.

I still remember you coming to my country and preaching about sweet lemon (lemonade) as an example. This encouraged me in my life and ministry.

Even though you are gone physically from this earth, you are still alive and preaching in my life. You will be in my heart always. I love you, Aunty.

I pray for your family, church and ministry. May the peace of our Lord be with you to strengthen and comfort all of you.

-Junia, Yangon, Myanmar

Elvis’ Tribute

Aunty Terri was filled with compassion for the harvest of souls. She always thought about how to communicate the love of Christ wherever she was. She lived what she preached. Reaching people with the gospel was her priority. She lived each day “on mission.”

I am so sad that I will no longer meet Aunty Terri in Myanmar or elsewhere on this earth. But I remain confident that the seed of faith Aunty Terri sowed in Myanmar, Uganda and many other places will blossom and bear much fruit. I will meet you again, Aunty, in heaven.

-Elvis Khamh, Yangon, Myanmar

Jim’s Memories of Terri

I first remember meeting Terri as her son’s youth pastor. Despite her taxing job schedule, she willingly volunteered to serve as a worker on youth outings, joyfully enduring the primitive accommodations of low-budget youth retreats.

Terri’s first venture into ministry in Uganda was in early September, 2001. I also happened to be in Uganda with a team training pastors. We were there when the attacks came on 9/11. I was called to the phone. Somehow, Terri had found out how to contact me and I could hear the devastation she felt being so far away from home trying to process this tragedy. It was a hard way to launch a ministry, but she did it.

I admired Terri’s compassion for others, her pioneering spirit and spiritual dedication to follow Jesus wherever He led her.

-Jim

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” -Hebrews 12: 1 & 2

“The road to a friend’s house is never long.” -Danish proverb

Today I pause to sip my cuppa (peach-infused tea from Israel) and reflect on tea times spent with my dear friend Terri Clark, who took up residence in heaven a few days ago. I honor her with a cup on the table beside me. I shall miss her greatly. We shared our faith plus love of family, good food, travel and all things tea.

Terri and I celebrating our 65th birthdays last November

Though the drive to each other’s home was over 20 minutes, that time was gladly spent in expectation of a delicious cuppa and an hour of conversation where you were welcomed, accepted and heard. Sometimes we would text one another to decide what tea we would be enjoying. As we settled in, the chatter swirled around events of the day, news about our children or our mission work, hers in Africa, mine in SE Asia. These topics usually filled the time needed to sip the first cup. By the time the second cup was poured, the conversation would open on a deeper level. We came to inhabit a sacred space during those times where our longings, dreams, struggles and reflections could emerge, feeling safe from editing, judging or “fixing.” The gift of being heard and valued is a treasure.

We had liberty to laugh, cry or simply have an off day. Both of us being “external processors,” we would often leave the hour with wisdom for the very thing we shared about. Such is the magic and miracle of a pot of tea with a friend, at least that was my experience with Terri, for 20-odd years.

It was a big transition for us when I moved to North Carolina last November. Terri spearheaded a surprise going-away tea party for me, hosted with three other good friends and many invited girlfriends. It was elegant and heartwarming. After I moved, we would set up phone dates, cuppa in hand, often launching the conversation with what we had chosen to brew, describing the weather and where we were seated for our tea time. Little did we know Terri would soon be making the greatest journey of all.

We partnered in mission travel to many nations. I will share about some of those journeys in the days to come. For today, it is enough to sip my tea and thank God for the gift of Terri and the friendship we shared. I miss you, my beloved tea buddy. I will see you later.

“Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is better than self-counsel.” -Proverbs 27:9

A Tribute to Terri Clark, Friend of Firefall International