To Ed Courtney, my friend, fellow missionary, pastor and lover of Syble

I have had the pleasure and privilege of knowing Ed and Syble Courtney during the 7 years they were on the mission field in Hungary. At first I knew them in Budapest only as fellow missionaries, friends, worshippers and powerful people of prayer. But I was blessed to get to know them in a deeper way during the three or so years Ed was Pastor of the International Church in Debrecen, Hungary and I was one of his "sheep". I have been a Christian for 32 years and I have been blessed to have had a stellar list of "pastors" in my life but Ed was in gifting my first true pastor. And what a blessing that has been for my life. Ed had a way of seeing the gifts in people and working with them and the Holy Spirit to see those gifts released. He and Syble had open hearts, open homes, generous beyond their ability and actually extravagant lovers of God and others. No one was a stranger to them, no language a barrier for they loved in the universal language of Kingdom - offering everyone acceptance, prayers, advice,hugs, food especially brownies, laughs, listening ears, shoulders to cry on and then more prayers. Life with Ed and Syble was always an "Event". You didn't just live in their presence you thrived! How we have laughed, sang, eaten, how we have prayed and how we have wept but Oh how the Kingdom and people did come!! Ed's preaching is still a high standard to his sheep and his memory so precious.

I am sure you all will agree that Ed's life and Syble's because how can you mention the one without the other, are lives of a one flesh couple, best friends, soulmates and ministry partners - A loving example to all. They had a life together to be envied and attained.

Ed, we are all the better for having known you and especially blessed are those of us that you pastored!

Let the River of Life house today be filled with the tributes of a life poured out extravagantly for the love of Jesus so like the alabaster box that was broken and poured out on the feet of Jesus, Ed you ministered to His body, you will be missed but the precious fragrance will still fill the house!

Love, Mary Jill