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Dr Isobel
Adeney
Dr Isobel Adeney, wife of Harold and a long-serving
missionary in Burundi died in the early hours of Tuesday, March 28,
2006. A thanksgiving service was held after her funeral on Tuesday 18th April at Reepham
Parish Church, Norfolk, England.
Harold Adeney wrote: "The Lord gave us a
rather sad and quiet time with the family only at the crematorium in
the morning of April 18th, but a joyous and triumphant time at the big
Thanksgiving Service in the afternoon. The church was well
filled, the singing of Isobel's choice of hymns terrific, Deb
Huthwaite and our (daughter) Elspeth gave lovely tributes, and Ali, my
granddaughter, sang beautifully."
During the service, Mrs Deborah Huthwaite, who also
served in Burundi with her husband Jim, spoke of her appreciation of
Isobel
A
Tribute from Deborah Huthwaite
Sometimes when I'm lying in bed as far
away from Jim because I'm cross about something, I can hear Isobel's
voice ringing in my ears: "We never let the sun go down upon our
wrath". When I was a young bride at Matana, Isobel told me that
she and Harold read Daily Light together before they went to sleep. 31
years on, Jim and I have barely cracked it, just about managing to
stumble through the Lord's prayer together as we fall asleep, but it
remains a picture for me of a glorious example of Christian devotion
shared so graciously with a newly married couple in 1975.
That's not all Isobel taught me. I had
been blessed in Africa by living first of all with Liz Hardinge at
Gahini. Liz was ultra competent on all fronts. Then I inherited
Christoph at Matana. The fact that I couldn't cook at all had been
successfully hidden from Jim. It was Isobel who taught me how to make
pastry. She never made me feel over household things that she could do
it and I couldn't! She was an excellent teacher, sharing very gently
with me her insights on married life and godly living. She was a great
example for me.
Of course, she was a very good doctor too.
I can remember going to her over the years with various ailments. She
was always so helpful and practical. "Oh yes, you've got
hepatitis" or "I expect it's malaria" She delivered our
second son, Ben, at Matana. I got her up at 4 a.m. one Sunday morning
in 1977 and then didn't deliver till 11, but she refrained from
moaning, just encouraged me to get on with it.
In my mind, Harold and Isobel got on
terrifically well and didn't m to disagree with each other much - not
in public anyway. I don't know what went on behind closed doors, but
they didn't really do "closed doors". There was such an
openness about them. I can remember when pregnant with our first son,
that I felt like eating some Marmite. I knocked at the Doctor's house.
They were out, so I walked in and helped myself. I can hardly believe
it now, but Isobel didn't bat an eyelid when I returned the precious
jar later. I'd have been saying "Who do you think you are,
Deborah Huthwaite? When Jim and I disagree with each other at the PCC
or talk over each other (not that Jim is usually at fault), I can't
easily imagine or remember Isobel contradicting Harold, although I
know they did talk over each other at times! More often, Isobel was a
sort of echo, and my memory is that she simply backed Harold. A lovely
picture of unity and concord.
I can only be profoundly thankful to God
for Isobel's influence on my life. In her, I saw Jesus. I probably
wouldn't be the wife I am, Jim, without those first months at Matana
with Isobel. She was someone who got on with life competently,
carefully, generously, faithfully, warmly, uncomplainingly, wisely and
"inspirationfully". It was clear that the Lord Jesus
motivated her in every aspect of her life.
To quote Psalm 16 again: Truly she was
assigned her portion and her cup, her lot was secure, and she took
delight in that path of obedience. Isobel took the path of life, was
filled with joy in God's presence and is now rejoicing in eternal
pleasures at his right hand.
With you, Harold, I thank God for
Isobel.
Deborah Huthwaite.