Longtime Grace Brethren pastor Bob Kliewer, who is currently part of the Cherry Valley Grace Brethren Church in Beaumont, California, has been in severely declining health lately, primarily with issues relating to his heart. Pastor Roy Halberg of the Alta Loma church has been visiting him regularly, sending health updates. So that you may pray for Bob and his wife Lil in these critical days, we share with you some of Roy’s comments from Saturday night and today (Sunday, January 22) as he has visited with Bob:
I spent most of the afternoon and evening with Lil at the hospital. Her daughters are both there and their husbands joined them before the evening was over. Dale and Robin Workman from the Long Beach Community church stopped by, as did a few folks from the Cherry Valley Church and the Orange Grove chapel where Bob has been preaching for the past 3+ years.
It appears that the Lord is readying Bob for his mansion in heaven. This afternoon the nurses removed the I.V.s that were provided nourishment and meds; tonight they removed the telemetry equipment and were giving morphine as needed. Bob’s blood pressure was dropping and breathing was labored and difficult . . . expectations were that he would be in heaven soon.
We prayed around his bed and then sang. His favorite song is “Oh, How I Love Jesus” so we sang that and also sang “His Name Is Wonderful.” When we finished, Bob seemed to be saying “wonderful” in response to our singing for him.
Pray for Bob’s peaceful release to Glory and for Lil and her daughters (Lynn & Jan) . . . they have released him to the Lord, but of course, wrestle with all the emotions of sorrow. Lil is very tired from so little sleep the last few days.
[Sunday] . . . Today after church Andrea and I drove out to see Bob and his family.
They had removed the rest of the meds that Bob was being given so he was a little more awake and even able to speak a little. Several people stopped by so I know he was getting weary but it was good to know he could hear me when I spoke with and prayed for him. He understood that the doctors could do no more and that the end was near. He told Lil, “I’m so glad that Jesus is my savior.”
The family is making the most of these final hours and his ability to be at least a little alert. As I left, his one-month-old grandson came by for a visit (yes, he brought his parents with him also) and I know Bob appreciated that.
Thanks for praying . . .