My dear friends and family,
I am beyond grateful for your prayers and support during my journey on the World Race. I wanted to send an update with what’s been going on in recent weeks. I currently am back home; state side in Maryland. I arrived Wednesday the 18th as I made the decision to spend time with my family as my brother in law Ralf has been diagnosed with stage four angiosarcoma. A very rare blood cancer that has affected his lungs, liver and bones. He was diagnosed only a month ago and is in his final stages here on earth.
There are no words to express how heartbroken we all are. But, we are so truly grateful for his salvation and his presence in our lives and hearts. My decision to come home was attached with condition. My incredible, wonderful, compassionate and selfless brother in law told me that I could come home but that I would have to promise him something. A promise that I would return to the race and continue and finish what I started. I didn’t want to make that promise but ultimately I had too. He loves me that much that he wants me to pursue my dreams and the whole time has said keep helping those who are really in need.
Ralf is a true humble servant of God. There has been an amazing outpouring of love for him, his wife (my incredible sister, Heather), his two boys (Grayson and Finnley) and our family. There are numerous stories being shared by countless people of how he has impacted the lives of so many. He is so loved and he has left a remarkable legacy. I am honored to call this man my brother.
I started to write this letter as I was sitting by Ralf’s side during the early morning hours on Monday. I am so humbled that my sister and family trusted me over the night shift to love on Ralf, provide his medication and ultimately keep a peaceful and serene environment as we tried to keep him as comfortable as possible. I was able to pray for him, play calming music for him, talk to him and stay with him every step of the way. “Every step of the way” a phrase I used from the beginning of his diagnosis.
On Monday, July 30th around 12:30pm my brother, Ralf went home to the Lord as Heather held him in her arms. He went just as he wanted. With his love by his side, being told, “he was safe, he was so loved and it was just the two of them”. A beautiful gift for them.
There are no words that can fill the void of losing this man. Our comfort can only come from Jesus. We are eased as we know Ralf is with his Heavenly Father having the best wine and chocolate. Two of his favorite things, besides his wife and boys of course.
Coming home was the best decision for me. I knew I needed to come home and I am so grateful for the time I got with Ralf and my sister and the rest of my family. It will be hard to leave them during this time but I have a promise to keep. So, in a few days I will be rejoining my team on the 8th of August in Chicago and then head with them to Belize on the 9th. I am excited to get back onto the field and continue to love and help others in need as Ralf had said.
Many of you have asked what you can do for us and our family and we truly appreciate all of your prayers and kind words of love and support. For those of you who may want to support Heather and the boys, a GoFundMe page was created by the amazing team at Ralf’s company, Hyatt Centric Arlington. All donations will go directly to help with medical bills and service arrangements. The link to this GoFundMe page is below.
https://www.gofundme.com/donations-for-ralf
Again, we truly appreciate your prayers. Words cannot express how much your love and support mean to our family. You are all a great source of comfort during this incredibly difficult and challenging time.
All my love,
Rebecca
