Letter to the Editor: A Question About Caryl Matrisciana’s Passing

LTRP Note: We are posting this particular letter to the editor in the event that others may share the same concern.

To Lighthouse Trails:

I’ve been waiting for a notice of Caryl’s memorial service, or at least something published in the LT newsletter/blog.  Have I missed something?  I find it odd that there hasn’t been much about her on the website, as there was for Ray Yungen in October.  Is she not as respected?  I grieved the loss of Caryl and cried when I got the news . . . tears of loss for us, but I know she is joyful to be with the Lord.

Mary

Our Reply:

Dear Mary,

Thank you for writing, and please know that we too are deeply saddened by the loss of Caryl Matrisciana. We were told by members of her ministry that the memorial service is going to be after the first of the year. It’s true we haven’t had as much coverage about Caryl’s passing and her life as we did Ray’s. But it certainly has nothing to do with lack of respect. Ray was an integral part of the very existence and ongoing work of Lighthouse Trails. It was because of Ray that Lighthouse Trails began (see story). And he worked closely with the editors at Lighthouse Trails on a very regular basis. Also, with Ray, because so many readers knew this, we received countless e-mails, phone calls, and tributes regarding Ray whereas with Caryl people wrote directly to her ministry and we were not involved nor did we see those comments for the most part. As for the memorial service, again, we were very involved in helping put together Ray’s memorial service, but Caryl’s memorial is being handled by her family. As you may recall, Ray had no family.

Either way, it’s been a painful year for us as a ministry to lose these  two dedicated servants of the Lord. And we know its been very painful for so many of our readers too. Yes, we know that Ray and Caryl are both with the Lord, safe in His arms, but we mourn the loss in more ways than one. We have found it disheartening to know we must carry on without the wisdom, insight, care, and friendship that these two dear fellow contenders of the faith offered to us as well as to so many others.

Once we hear of a date for Caryl’s memorial service, we will let our readers know of the details. In the meantime, you can visit Caryl’s website to see when there are updates. Caryl had wisely arranged that both her website and her ministry would continue on after her departing. And in Ray’s case, Ray left all of his writings, books, and DVDs in the care of Lighthouse Trails, and we will carry on his work and his warnings to the church as we have done for nearly 15 years now. His website is www.atimeofdeparting.com.

We are forever grateful to the Lord for allowing us the privilege of knowing and working with both Caryl Matrisiciana and Ray Yungen.

The Editors at Lighthouse Trails