The Grace Brethren International Missions website currently headlines an announcement that Eddie Miller, colorful longtime GBIM missionary to Brazil, went to be with the Lord on Friday. Here is the information from www.gbim.org.
Eddie Miller, long time GBIM missionary to Brazil, passed away Friday at 1:30 a.m.
This eulogy was written by Bill & Imogene Burk, Eddie and Eileen Miller’s coworkers in Brazil.
Eddie was much loved by all the Brazilians who knew him. He was equally at ease talking with the mayor or with the garbage collector.
At the airport he was always leaving our group to talk with someone important that he spotted in the crowd. He knew somebody everywhere he went and when in their area on a trip, would look them up without hesitancy.
Eddie loved the Word of God, his family, children and animals; especially dogs. He always had pets around the house: Dogs, a big Polly parrot or a smaller green one, a live deer, goats, and cattle. Early on, he had a cow roaming the yard in one place he lived.
Although always busy, Eddie was never too busy to help someone else. Like hauling them to the airport in the middle of the night.
Perhaps none of our missionaries was more frequently in the homes of the believers than was Senhor Eduardo. To converse, to study the Word or to eat a meal with the folks he loved!
His sense of humor was all the time. And he was never afraid to tackle something new – like my motorcycle – at the drop of a hat.
Even though he from time to time suffered severe and prolonged pain, Eddie would keep on smiling. We laughed about a conversation he once had with a doctor. An encounter with a big watch dog left him with a broken bone in his leg. On another occasion, a neighbor’s bull broke Eddie’s shoulder. When he was recovering, the doctor asked if he were planning a trip to Africa. “No. Why?” The doctor didn’t think it wise for Eddie to try hunting elephants!
Being a church builder, he started churches in three states. Three of our larger Brethren churches were started by Eddie, including the church in Macapa on the north bank of the Amazon, which was started in the early 1950’s. The present pastor, Eulalio Trindade (Ivanildo’s father), has been there for about four decades.
Eddie was also known for his youth retreats. The principal Brethren campground was built largely through his inspiration and implementation and continues to draw crowds of young people on holidays and at vacation times. Other groups also use the facility for their gatherings: Pastors, ladies’ retreats, etc.
Both in Macapa and in Icoaraci Brother Eddie was instrumental in the setting up of Christian Day Schools in conjunction with the local church.
Another thing: Eddie liked birthday parties, especially his own. And he’d usually provide a whole beef for a big barbeque!
The majority of the comments that I have heard about his death deal principally with that which must be his joy at looking around in the Heaven about which he has preached for well over half a century. And about his being welcomed home by his Lord.
Eddie não morreu, só tomou posse do prêmio da soberana vocação para a glória de Deus.
Com muita saudade.
Pr. Paulo Seixas de Oliveira
Brazil.
"Eddie Miller was a great servant of God. He encoraged me a lot in my Christian career, taking me along with him in many different ministries. He was my missions professor at the Grace Bible Institute and he encouraged many youth to be involved in missions. He and Eileen left a legacy to be imitiated.
Eddie didn't die, he just took possession of the high calling of the glory of God." Missing Him much, Pastor Paulo.