Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Dearest Barb & Daniel and Esther & grandkids
Michael was a very dear and caring friend. He would always go the extra mile and then an extra mile again. We met in Fort Vermilion now many years ago and he and Barb introduced us not only to the “Chinatown” in Fort but also to culinary and exotic home cooking by Mike with lots of garlic and spices . Mike was a legend long before Gordon Ramsay was even known. He had a heart of gold and a heart for Jesus. Always looking out for others before himself and always giving the best.
As missionaries, Mike and Barb would be there to encourage and help in every way they could. They had been there and understood the challenges. For many years we were driving around in a 1976 Jesus love you school bus, and as we were looking for a worthy bush vehicle Mike stepped in not only driving us all the way to the dealership in Edmonton, but also offered to guarantee our financial commitment as new immigrants to Canada so that we could buy the truck!!! That was Mike, even we refused to accept his offer, he was determined and as he said “ it’s a non negotiable offer. Mike wanted us to have a safe and good vehicle for the ministry.
Years later when we had moved to Edmonton, the Schumik’s care and friendship did not change. Always just a phone call away. On one occasion we found some tires in GP through Kijji and Mike offered to pick them up, pay for them, then even deliver them to Edmonton as a gift to us. Another non negotiable from his generous big heart!!
When we heard of Mike’s health challenges, even though it was hard and painful, he would still greet us with a “Mike smile” and shift the conversation to evangelism or Israel, one of his many favourite topics. We will miss Mike so much, now he is smiling from heaven hanging out with Jesus, maybe even fire off an occasional rocket or explosive bomb for KING JESUS! Thank you, Mike and Barb, for being an example of faith and love.
Michael & Man Sandstrom with family.
