On Saturday, June 3, 2023, a wonderful event happened. At the Jamjing School for Children in Northeast India Grace Chapel was dedicated in loving memorial to my wife Julia, who passed away about a year ago on May 13, 2022. I know you will join me in praising God with our brothers and sisters of Assam.

The following slide show of the chapel dedication features Pastor Steward Lunghar leading the service. Music is provided by the children of Jamjing Oxford Brook School. They are singing, “Together Unitedly Let Us Spread the Love of God” and one you’ll recognize, “God Is So God.” The school is under the wise direction of Pastor Steward’s wife, Nyapu Riba.

Grace chapel started with many friends and family contributing financial gifts out of love for Julia that totaled over $8000. Pastor Steward received those funds in gratitude to the Lord and faithfully over this past year constructed the chapel. You can find more details on this project’s beginning on the blog entitled, “Memorial Project in honor of Julia Ewert,” posted on May 27, 2022.

At the dedication of the chapel, the following thoughts were shared from our family:

Dedication of Grace chapel – Likabali, India, on June 3, 2023

The family of Julia Ewert sends greetings on this great occasion. We raise thanksgiving and praise to Jesus Christ for the love and honor you are sharing with us in the dedication of Grace Chapel. To God alone the glory!

Julia Ewert was a woman who loved God and loved children. She took into her loving home children from all walks of life. She also was enthusiastic and creative in teaching the youngest of them in school. She had tea with them, danced with them, and comforted them. Julia took greatest delight in teaching the children about Jesus Christ. Her enthusiastic and bright faith was used of God to raise up many children into the kingdom of Christ.

The hour came on May 13, 2022, for God to take Julia home to himself in glory. Jesus said of his own death on our behalf in John 12:20-26, “unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Like Jesus in his death, so is Julia in her death. Many people have contributed to the building of this chapel believing that God will continue her faithful work in his kingdom among you, his children in India. We join you today in believing that many will find faith through the Ministry of the Chapel and be raised up to serve Jesus Christ in both great sacrifice and abounding joy.

With King David in Psalm 65:1-8, we raise this hymn of praise to God:

Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled.

You who answer prayer, to you all people will come. When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions. Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.

You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy!

For Christ and His glory alone,

David Ewert (husband), Dirk & Jennifer Gieser (daughter), Jashton, Tobiah, and Corban Gieser (grandsons)

References: John 12:20-26 NIV (https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.12.20-26.NIV); Psalms 65:1-8 NIV (https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.65.1-8.NIV)