I just began my doctorate in child language and have started using math muscles that I haven't flexed since high school to work with statistics.  I am so grateful for Mr. Lello's careful teaching of math that helped me get to where I am today.  

Prayers for Pam, Abby, and Alissa.

Laurel  

I have read and watched testimonies about the Lello family's ministry over and over again.  I am amazed at their commitment in God's work.  I feel challenged because I have not worked hard for my Lord.  John's wife Pam is such a strong faithful servant in God's vine yard.  I pray God blesses and uses her in a mighty way.  I pray forbthe girls too.  God is faithful He will never leave nor forsake this family

Forever is a long long time.  It reminds me of the "how much do you love me?" Question of childhood and the answer "this much" as the arms fling out wide - so wide they appear to circle the globe.  Big things require all we can give to communicate their meaning.  And so today as I reflect on my brother's life and sudden death 2 years ago I am reminded of FOREVER . . .

 . . . Forever faithful ...  Forever missed  ...   Forever with the Lord  ...  Forever young

I am thankful this thanksgiving for the memories you have shared and the life we can now look back on in completed.

I am thankful for the way the Lord provided in those days and weeks immediately after the accident.  Protection and return of Pam and the girls . . . and John.  Thank you all for your support and tangible love.

I am thankful for the new home for Pam, Abby and Alissa where family can begin again.

I am thankful for the new AFM missionaries (David and Edie Hicks) who are preparing to launch to the Ama people of PNG.

And I am thankful that in God's eyes the end of forever missed is very soon . . . and the beginning of together forever with the Lord will be a very, very very long time!

Pam, Alissa, and Abigail

Our hearts are often united with the many others in prayer for you and for the power of your witness in this trial.  We too know the pain and emptiness that accompanies the sudden loss of an immediate family member (our 9 yr. old son).

Recently I was reading in Acts of the Apostles and came across the following quote which I had underlined in the past.  It was a re-encouragement to me that God's mysteries have a productive purpose and that we must continue to hold fast.  "Patience as well as courage has its victories.  By meekness under trial, no less than by boldness in enterprise, souls may be won to Christ.  The Christian who manifests patience and cheerfulness under bereavement and suffering, who meets even death itself wih the peace and calmness of an unwavering faith, may accomplish for the gospel more than he could have effected by a long life of faithful labor.  Often when the servant of God is withdrawn from active duty, the mysterious providence which our shortsighted vision would lament is designed by God to accomplish a work that otherwise would never have been done."  AA pg. 465.

May God empower you to be His witnesses as you stand on His honor guard.

May God keep you in the palm of His hand.

Hunt family

John was a prayed for baby even before he was formed in his mother’s womb.  Arriving four weeks early, he surprised his mother while his father was out of town on a mission trip.  When father returned five weeks later he named his new son JohnCollin Lello after his two grandfathers.  Veronica, his sister’s nanny, called him “Temba.”

At six months of age John first took to the air when his family answered God’s call to ministry in a new land - the United States of America.  Landing in the jungles of New York City and launching off into the swift current of immigrant life took great faith on the part of his parents.  Lessons of trust in a Devine provider were learned early.

From a young age John had a very sensitive soul.  When his mother disciplined him, he would look pleadingly up into her eyes and ask, “Mommy please pray for me?”  Speech and learning were not always easy for him.  Mrs. Merrell, his 4th grade teacher, made a lasting impact on his educational path but tailoring his schoolwork to his needs.  After graduating from high school the grateful valedictorian went back and searched for her until he could personally convey his gratitude for her impact on his life.

John loved to build model airplanes.  Many were constructed from balsa wood and thin sheets of velum.  Then he would add engines and attempt to fly them.  As he grew his dream of flight took wings.  Flight training, soloing and acquiring a private pilot’s license followed during his high school years - all before he learned to drive his first car!  Much of the expense he paid for with earnings from “tracking” (putting out advertising door to door for his Literature Evangelist parents) during the hot summers on the streets of Philadelphia – a great school for stamina.

The years that followed saw him delving into the physics of life and the equations that proved why all these things worked.  School drew him into teaching and teaching into the joy of sharing what he had learned in simple practical ways for his high school students.  Little did he realize the life changing impact of his patient tutoring in the lives of his students.

John’s earnest prayers for a wife were answered when he reacquainted himself with Pam Simpson, a high school classmate.  To love and serve Christ was her passion.  She became his most faithful companion and the loving mother of his children Abigail, Alissa and Aubrey Marie. 

The priority of having time for his family and the need to physically strengthen his body drew him into a new career - construction.  Now the formulas were very practical and the physics of life was shared daily with Pam, Abby and Alissa.  Kentucky was also the building ground for a deepening relationship with his Father.  His attention to craftsmanship and detail transcended building.  His passion was Christ and his blueprint was the Gospel and all he met were gently drawn to his Foreman.

A new call fell on John’s ears.  The call to go to the ends of the earth for his Foreman.  The trill of flight returned as John and his family were carried into the jungles of British Guyana.  Once again the call came and this time John and Pam “submitted to Christ to spend our lives unselfishly for the Ama people who live in upper reaches of the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea.”  Why submit to the call?  I will let John explain.  “Because God’s light shines most brightly in the darkness.  Because He promises to go with us and never leave us.  Because we are looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith: who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame.” (Heb. 12:2)”

John was passionalte for the salvation of the Ama people.  Three times previously, missionaries had established contact with the Ama and three times they had had to retreat.  With great abandon John threw himself into this new work.  He visited villages up and down the Sepik River via dug out canoe and long hikes through the jungle.  As he went he forged relationships with villagers, church members, chiefs and officials.  Plans were laid for the founding of a school, opening of a trading post and reopening of three runways to support the work.  The successful test landing on the Imombi airstrip was celebrated by all.  The pilot, teacher, builder, father was about his Father’s business.  

And then the call from Pam: "John is dead." 

Many years ago, Veronica called baby John "Temba."   What does that mean?  In Zulu, it means Trusted, Great Faith, to Give Hope where there isn’t any, the summit of a hill!  How did she know?  God knew.  John’s objective in life “To find happiness through service to Christ and my fellowman” had been completed.  He had given it his all.

May River Station (their mission home on a hill top) will never be the same. May the Ama who once again wait patiently the return of their missionary not have to wait so long.  And may we fly with the wings of angels one day soon together.

As John wrote in his first article for Adventist Frontiers, “One thing is certain – He is calling you, calling you to give your all.”

Dear Abby and Lissa,
I want to share some stories with you about your dear Daddy.

John was a planned and prayed for child.  He entered this world one month early.  His Daddy never knew his child was born as he was on a mission trip and there were no cell phones then!   It was only five weeks latter that he learned that he had a son and returned home to our little flat in Plumstead, a suburb of Capetown, South Africa.  What joy lit his eyes as he first saw his little son known then as baby Lello.  We had not yet picked out a name for him.  The names we decided to give your Daddy were, first my father's name John, and second, Grandad's father’s name Colin,  but as he grew he became known to dear ones as “John John.”

At six months he, with your aunt Lois, who was two, arrived with us in America and another mission began at Andrews University Michigan.  He was a very happy child.  A wonderful memory of your Daddy is when he was about three.   On our meager budget Granny had splurged and bought a small live Christmas tree about two feet high, which had one string of blinking lights.  This fascinated your Daddy.  One evening when all of  us were supposed to be tucked into bed I heard a noise in the sitting room, all was dark, as I quietly walked down the hall of our Garland apartment and  looked around the corner, there sat little John John, bolt upright, staring wonderingly at the twinkling lights. Seemingly he must have managed to plug in the string of lights as I had unplugged them before retiring that night.   I joined him and we sat there together for some time not talking, just looking.

Six years latter we moved to Princeton New Jersey where Granddad Lello attended Princeton Theological Seminary. Here Daddy began the long hard road of learning.  Daddy found it difficult to adjust to school and learning to read, and especially learning how to write took much frustrating and tearful concentration.  He needed a lot of special love and understanding to help him, but he never gave up.  He always tried.  In fourth grade he had a very kind and understanding teacher, Mrs. Merrill who gave him smaller assignments and much help.  School began to get more manageable and he looked forward each day to jumping on to the big yellow school bus to go to school.  From that grade onwards things began to improve. Your Daddy never forgot that teacher Mrs. Merrill and after graduating as valedictorian from Blue Mountain Academy on his return home that summer he locked up his old fourth grade teacher to thank her.

Your Daddy loved music, in fourth grade he wanted to join the band.  He had to pick an instrument and told us it was going to be the Sousaphone.  But when he returned home that day he alighted the school bus and took out of its case a shining trumpet. Knelling down on one knee he put the horn to his lips and blew long and hard. It brought me to the front window; there he was kneeling on the pavement blowing his horn.  On enquiring at supper time why he had changed his mind and chosen the trumpet, he said, "Well Dad, the Sousaphone was so big it would take up the whole seat next to me on the school bus and I would rather have my best friend Jonathan sitting next to me."   We all laughed, that was your Dad, people were always more important to him than things.

Daddy always had a tender heart.  When he was little if he had done something wrong he would notice I was not too happy. He would pleadingly look up at me and say, "Mommy, please pray for me."  How could I be upset with a little fellow who asked of me such a special request?  So we would kneel together and ask dear Jesus to help him.  This is how your Daddy was.  If he knew he had hurt someone he would always end up asking for forgiveness.  Granny learnt many lessons from your Daddy

Abby and Lissa, you and Gran can take some wonderful lessons from these short stories,  Each one of us has a loved name that our parents lovingly gave us, but dear Jesus has a new name waiting to give us in heaven, we will learn our new name than and Daddy's too. I can't wait!

Christmas time is a wonderful time. It was when the biggest, brightest star ever shone and gave the world the light of hope in Jesus our Savior.  We can be one of those twinkling lights like Daddy has been, like the lights he looked at that night in our little apartment, shining in a dark place.

One of Lissa's favorite hymns is "Lift up the Trumpet."  Think of it girls, Daddy has been lifting up the trumpet for Jesus for a long time. Now he has laid it down for a while. Let’s keep singing that inspiring song and telling others of the love of Jesus, so that soon we will all be able to meet together in our heavenly home.

Lastly I pray our dear Lord, Jesus, that he will breathe his Holy Spirit into our hearts and minds so that we will love and serve Him with all our minds, hearts and bodies. 

Granny and Granddad love you very much and are longing to give you hugs and many kisses. Soon we will all be together and we look forward to that very special day at the airport.

We pray for your safe return.

Love Granny and Granddad Lello.

Dear Pam, Alissa, Abby & the Lello and Simpson families,

I am so very, very sorry for your huge loss. My sister Ann shared the sad news with us right away. We have wept tears for you and have been praying for you often since then. I remember you, Pami, and John from BMA though mostly because you were friends of my younger siblings.  Remember more your older siblings in or closer to my  class. Worked with Cristy in the bakery my FR year, graduated with Randy, remember Lois as I worked in the dorm, etc. I remember Lois, your parents, and what people of deep faith they were (still are). Watching you and John and your interactions with others, even back then, the love of Jesus was so evident, such a blessing to others.  What special families all of you and what a hard, difficult loss you've been called on to bear.  My heart aches for you as I've kept up with your news, and wished there was something I could do to help in some small way. Can't truly imagine all you are feeling or going through. I am just so thankful that our dearest friend, Jesus, our everloving heavenly Father, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit, can be with you, in answer to all our prayers.  Ann shared John's lifesketch with us. My heart went out to you even more as I read of the loss of your sweet baby girl just a few years ago. Twenty years ago, our first daughter died suddenly at less than a year old. Our hearts long too for that reunion Jesus has promised us - soon and very soon. 

I understand that you have experienced several losses of dear family members and now this huge loss of a beloved husband and daddy (& brother, son). Your hearts long for him, tears fill your eyes; sometimes smiles come too as you remember special, happy moments shared.  So very, very thankful that John loved Jesus so much, that he was serving him with all his heart and soul.  Thank you for the inspiration all of you are, just as John has been, of loving and trusting in God through your heartache, through good and bad times in your lives, and through your commitment to Jesus. Many people have been sharing your story with their friends.  You may never know on this earth what an impact it will have on many, many peoples' lives - or of the many who are praying for you dear folks. 

I know from my own darkest hours that Jesus will be there for you now and in the days to come.  He will never leave you, just like He promised.  You'll have moments and days when the questions overwhelm, when you can't quite feel God's love the way you do at other times. But He is still there, even in this wild storm. He loves you incredibly beyond anything you can imagine. He sorrows with you and comforts you too. I love reading the Psalms and seeing the range of emotions that David experienced -- despite everything He knew who He could count on, Who would be with him. My prayers for you are that you will feel God's peace, His sweet love for you in many tangible ways, His care of you when you feel alone and uncertain, His tenderness when you need the warmth of love, His precious comfort when the tears flow unstopped or the heartache feels unbearable. May the love and prayers of family and friends, and even friends of friends, sustain you and bring you added strength. Jesus is coming back soon. I join you in looking forward with great anticipation to that wonderful day when we can greet our Saviour and be reunited with our dear ones.  I look forward to hearing John's stories and seeing your precious family reunited!

 Sending love, hugs, and prayers across the miles (from southern Africa where we work with Maranatha).  "MARANATHA" - as people here say in church - and then the response "Jesus IS coming!" May you rest secure in His promises, in His great love. Looking forward to meeting your family complete then!!
Susan Stickle Woods 
 

Dear Pami, Nothing we can say can ease the hurt and bring John back and make your family whole again now. But we cry with you, remember and cling to the hope of Jesus soon return.

Back at Blue Mountain Academy, the thing i remember most about John is that there was never a time he was not there. And where that mattered most, in the days of assigned seats at chapel and the boys side versus the girls side on other occasions, was as the cafeteria. With your tray full, you stood there, vulnerable, knowing what it was like to try a tentative hello and be turned away or ignored, looking for a place to sit, a place that would accept you and welcome you. And the table where John [and Scott Harwood] were sitting, that table welcomed me, and welcomed anyone who came. John had a genuine interest in everyone he met and meal times were a time of great fellowship. My years at BMA were made enjoyable because of that and from your updates Pami, it sounds that John and you have carried that tradition with you over the years - welcoming everyone to the table. 

The Praise Ensemble, a unwelcome compromise in some people's minds between Bel Canto and Cantabile, is another wonderful memory. Blending voices, human and instrument, into beautiful harmonies was an accomplishment Mr. Edison made us all feel part of. This was yet another place where everyone was accepted and valued and again John was a strong leader here. He helped fix our focus on praising God through the joys, fun and challenges. We so loved to go to the many small churches where there were more musicians than members and see our joy light up the eyes of the members. I can't wait to join the heavenly Praise Ensemble!

Camping, canoeing, outdoors, God's nature, BMA gave us a good taste of God's beauties. Although i didn't get out there half as much as John, Kerry, Dan, and many others, the memories there abound. And all the time we were drawn to praise God for the wonders He created. In the midst of the woods and jungles of our lives today, Jesus still walks with us. And He won't leave us no matter when it gets dark, He is still there.

Physics class, throwing baseballs into the air to learn about gravity. Learning about waves in water pools. I barely passed that class but i wanted to learn and Mr. Schlegal and John made learning so much fun. Just think of all the physics there will be to learn in the earth made new!  And Abby & Alissa - your Daddy and Jesus will be the teachers!

Watching Snowball Express 10 times, possibly not an exaggeration, softball, there were many recreational times, fun times, and then John's serious sense of humour sometimes came as a surprise. One memory is of several of us standing around, John in his trench coat lowering his head and opening a fold of his coat slightly muttering, "ya wanna buy a watch?" Maybe you had to be there, or live in Philadelphia, but we still laugh, even today through our tears.  

Knowing John made me a better person, and he also touched the lives of so many. I don't understand why he died now and it is okay to ask God why. I am sure that John would want us to remember we are part of God's family, to remember to praise God, to look for the beauty around us to be thankful for, to explore the world and how it works and laugh at silliness. Most of all, i think he would want family, friends, his (yours, Alissa and Abby's) Ama people, strangers and everyone, when remembering his life, to be pointed to his Saviour, our Saviour Jesus. To choose Jesus, to give our all. To remember that there is never a time that Jesus is not there. He is always there to hear when we call, to love, forgive and comfort us.  

"Wanna buy a watch?" Jesus tells us that a physical watch won't work because we don't know the hour to watch for, but He gives us a command to watch. To keep watch for Him at all days and hours so that we can meet our Saviour and then keep our next appointments with John. “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming," Matthew 25:13. I look forward to see you both there, soon.

Dear Pam and girls,
I was so shocked by the news and I wanted to ask why? Your family have
been such an inspiration to many, including my self. I heard this song today
by Christian Edition, the piano player said it was comforting to him when he
lost his son, it was comforting to me and I hope it is for you.

There are moments on our journey following the Lord, where God illumines
every step we take. There are times when circumstances make perfect sense to
us, as we try to understand each move He makes.But when the path grows dim and our questions have no answer, turn to Him.
There are days when clouds surround us and the rain begins to fall, the cold and lonely winds won't cease to blow and there seems to be no reason for the suffering we feel; We are tempted to believe God does not understand when the storms rise, don't forget we live by faith and not by sight.  
Bow the knee, trust the heart of your Father, when the answer goes beyond what you can see, Bow the knee, lift your eyes to the heavens and believe the one who holds eternity. And when you don't understand the purpose of His plan, in the presence of the King, bow the knee. 

You are in our prayers, our thoughts and our hearts. My Ky home is always open to you.   Eleanor and Dean                           

Dear Pam,


Our hearts (speaking for the Peters, Geisler, Osano, Murphy families) go out with compassion to you, Abby, and Alissa at this time.  May the hope of Christ's soon return sustain you; and be encouraged knowing that, like Jesus, John's life ended doing His Father's will.

I cherish the memories of last summer (2011) when your family made the Shelter Ministry your summer mission field.  The support you gave from week to week was invaluable.  The song Abby and Alissa sang one week for special music--"When I am afraid, I will trust in you..." was priceless and lifted the hearts of all who listened.  Who can know in whose heart those seeds of truth took root?  Then the week you brought me a "surprise" -- my other "daughter" Alyssa T.,-- a new trainee at AFM as a short term missionary--she had been my faithful little "assistant" at the Shelter when she was only 14 until her family moved away.  What a joy it was to see her again, now all grown up and going away to serve.  She even read a poem she had written for the Shelter guests when she was 14 which I'd carried with me since then.  That day was so-o desperately hot, but there you all were with the windows rolled down, the "surprise package" in tow, and broad smiles on your faces.  You had made room for Alyssa  in the cab seat of your truck by simply moving over and you and Alyssa each holding one of the girls on your laps.  "How did you ever make it from Berrien to Benton Harbor like that?" I asked.  But, I had to remember you all were in training for the mission field.  What a great laugh we all had!  Thank you for the sacrifice you made to add joy to my day.  Then the day you dined with us at my niece's home.  The girls had gone outside to play with my great niece and nephew while we adults visited.  Suddenly all three girls rush in drenched from head to toe, with Alissa saying, "I didn't do it!"  We knew they were retreating from the bazooka water gun fight they'd been having with my nephew in the yard, and enjoyed another great laugh!  What precious memories I/we were able to make because you were answering God's call.  I hope these reflections add joy to your life as well, as we look forward to reuniting with Jonn and Jesus in the earth made new.        

 

Your courage is a blessing to us. My only comfort s that you, like Job, are saying,   "I know my Redeemer lives. . .and I shall see His face." Job 19:25, 26.  We treasure the time we met you when you came to Maine! God bless!

If I had to choose one Bible verse to describe John, it would be 2 Corinthians 5:14, "For the love of Christ constraineth us," urges, motivates, empowers us.  John found this pearl of great price and let Christ abide in him. Few do. We must.

John's desires and prayers were requests to God to be able to serve others and bring them to God, glorifying God.  His statement on the AFM video of his desire to experience and know Christ in a very deep way to serve and his written website statement, "One thing is certain -- He is calling you, calling you to give your all." testify of this pearl of great price and center of his life.  We know from Jeremiah 29:13 we will find the Lord when we search for Him with all our hearts.  John's heart was growing closer and closer to God, his will melding into His will.  And he pleased God, and God took him (asleep until the first resurrection).  The messenger of the Lord has stated, "there are Enochs today" and "some will be put to sleep" before the coming of the Lord and time of trouble. 

These website tributes and stories testify of John's character, a godly man, experiencing 2 Peter 1:1-12.  We know the scriptures, but this trying event tests our faith.  God has given us evidences of assurance and hope.  John gave his life for his fellowman; as Jesus said, there is no greater love that can be demonstrated.  His mother told me that she had overheard him preparing a sermon speaking out loud emphatically and with much pathos -- making her marvel with the words repeating from John 3:16, and she recalled his prayer for her that she would have a burden for souls; a woman who had taught him this, raising him in a colporteur / conference worker household.  It seems to me that he learned well at his parents' knees, excelled, and was truly seeking God with his motive becoming love as expressed in his prayers and desires, unselfish.  Does not heaven measure us by our motives, rather than by how great our accomplishments are in the sight of men?  Can we not learn from the lives of others?  Here is an example of Christian success, where the motive of life had become love, serving our fellowman, and glorifying God. Praise God!

God's plan? To save us.  As I knelt down to pray after receiving the call of John's death, I was impressed that the Lord told me He had to save John; reasons not given.  But upon reviewing his life, talking to family, reading this website, God has given us evidences.  The door to the hearts of the Ama people and others in that area of the world had already started to open in response to the love of Christ flowing through God's vessel, evidenced by many flowers and outpouring of respect / love at his death; love begets love.  It can be said of John, "His ways pleased God."  And I believe he will hear, "Enter thou in thou good and faithful servant."  We will see John again if we are faithful.  In this trying time and in our own lives, "faith is the victory." 1 John 5:4


John's friend


Bill Sweatt


P.S. I weep.  But I recall Jesus wept right before He raised Lazarus from the grave.  I am trusting in Jesus Christ all the way!  Aren't you.        

Prayers of comfort the the entire Lello Family.  

Parchia Holness...BMA classmate. 

John and Pam came to Guyana to install a water system in the village of Paruima so that people wouldn't have to haul water so far. Some friends of theirs had helped raise the money for the pipe along with John and Pam.  Then they came at their own expense to Guyana. I had the privilege of flying them out to Paruima and getting the materials together in Georgetown.  I flew out the supplies, except for the pipe, which was too big for my aircraft.  I also arranged  for the pipe to be flown out commercially.  The people kept commenting to me each time I went out, how the whole family would be out digging ditches from early in the morning until late in the evening. They couldn't believe that even Pam and the girls would be out there helping and getting dirty, while wearing thier dresses.  They showed their Christianity by their actions.  John and Pam were at that time considering coming to Paruima to run the school there, but after much prayer, felt God calling them to work with AFM.  We having been planing to go to PNG and start an aviation program in the region where John and Pam were working. John would call me about once a month to see what he could do to help us get there from his end.  He called me just over a week before his tragic death asking me, "how soon can you come? There is so much need!"  We will have to fly with you in Heaven my brother.  Rest in peace, your labors are over. Pam, be strong in the Lord,and someday He will repay you many times over!  Our prayers continue for you and the girls.

This isn't really a story, most of my memories of the Lello family are of Pam and the girls.  I just wanted to offer a little comfort to them in this hard time in the form of a poem I wrote.  God bless you Pam, Abby and Alissa.

God Does

Who can protect us when all things go wrong?

Who always holds us in arms so strong?

Who never leaves us, loves us just because?

God does.

Who calms the storm, gives the sky back its blue?

Who keeps us together and pulls us through?

Who never leaves us, loves us just because?

God does.

Who’ll take us home to live forever at last?

In Whose wonderful presence will we one day bask?

Who’ll never leave us?  Oh what a thrill!

God will.

© Asenath Blake

Excerpt from John Lello's story: "Introducing the Lello Family"
(To read all Lello's mission stories visit this page.)

God has called us to a remote location that we will reach by traveling 90 miles over rough roads and more than 24 hours by dugout canoe. I will travel out of the interior once every three months to get food and supplies, and Pam and the girls will only travel out about once a year. He has called us to a difficult location where we will live in a rough structure built from jungle materials and galvanized steel. He has called us to a place plagued by malaria, pneumonia, dysentery, tropical ulcers, skin diseases and many other health problems. He has called us to a place of great spiritual darkness where the people live in fear and bondage to demons masquerading as departed ancestors and nature spirits.

So why do we look forward to this challenge? Why do we find it hard to imagine doing anything else? Because God’s light shines most brightly in the darkness. Because He has prepared the way before us by miraculously inspiring the Ama people to build a house of worship to a God they don’t even know. Because He promises to go with us and never leave us. Because we are “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame” (Heb. 12:2).

Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” (Luke 9:23, 24) 

Friend, will you lose your life for Christ? It’s your only hope of really living. Won’t you join us in answering God’s call? Perhaps He is calling you to give your life for the unreached. Maybe He is touching your heart with our mission to the Ama people and calling you to support us with your means and prayers. But one thing is certain—He is calling you, calling you to give your all.
 
To read the complete story as well as the other Lellos' stories for Adventist Frontier Missions, please visit the Lello home page on this link: afmonline.org or type in your browser http://www.afmonline.org/missionaries/missionary.php?id=378.

Dearest Pam, Abby, and Alissa,

  Words can't express the sorrow and pain we feel. The inspired pen writes,"As the glow of the descending sun lights up the mountain peaks long after the sun itself has sunk behind the hills, so the works of the pure, the holy, and the good shed light upon the world long after the actors themselves have passed away. Their works, their words, their example, will forever live. "The righteous shall be in everlasting remebrance." Psalm 112:6" PP ch. 44.2 
 May John's selfless life be reflected in our own lives and be remembered in our memories.  Praying for you.  Adis Valera and family
 
(Music by Lindsey Montanaro, Allie Mayor, and James Brostrom) 

I loved that family. John was a good man, a good father, and a good husband. One of the best families I ever knew. They made the summer of 2011 one of the best summers of my life.  Mr. W.

Dear Pam, Abby and Alissa,

Our family is shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of John and we send up our prayers for your family during this time of mourning.  I had the blessing of meeting John while at Blue Mountain Academy.  He was a true mentor to me, and helped me to gain the position of math/science reader after he had graduated.  One Saturday night he introduced me to the excitement of science.  He took me back to the science lab, and introduced me to pure elemental sodium.  This, of course, when dropped into water has quite an exciting reaction.  So together we watched the explosion and laughed all the way back to the dorm!  Looking back now, I don't think this would have met with the approval of the faculty at BMA, but it permanently etched in my mind the beauty and intrigue of science.

I was also in Praise Ensemble with John, and the strength of his conviction for God and the ability to share the God-filled life with such pure joy has been an inspiration to me for a lifetime.  

We were so privileged to have met your entire family here in Virginia last year, and my boys still talk about your visit here and your service as missionaries.  Lucy and I often spoke of your family's dedication and sacrifice to the Lord, which is a witness to us as much now as it was then.

We all mourn the loss of John.  It is so hard to understand the purpose of events on earth, and I look forward to getting the answers to all of our questions soon when there will be death no more.

I look at all of the posts here, and realize how many people John has touched in the same way that I have been blessed.  He remains an inspiration to me in death as in life.

Lucy to Pam: My dear sister in Christ: While we mourn John's death, it is you that my heart breaks for.  Even though we met only briefly, I was deeply touch by your selfless dedication to bring Christ to the Ama people while also juggling the roles of wife and mother in a completely foreign, under-developed and poor country.  Your strength, courage and faithfulness was so awe-inspiring to me and continues to be so.  I cry with you during this time, especially with the recent loss of your father, and lift you and the girls up in prayer that Christ will give you all the comfort and peace that only He can give.  Whatever we can do for you, we promise to give our all, just as John gave all he had for Christ, you, Abby and Alissa.

We pray that God will bless your family in ways unimaginable at the present time.  We pray that we will all be reunited soon.  Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

In Nov. 2011, John, Pam and the girls came back home to Liberty, KY during their AFM fund-raising tour. We were thankful they were able to come to the youth hayride and bonfire. This shows John helping to get the children loaded up for the ride.

Later, John led a group of youth in playing 'chain tag' which my daughter had never played before. She remembers how kind and patient John was with all the children. She said he made the game more fun and she cherishes this memory.

Then we played kickball and John was a team captain. He would not let anyone be left out, no mattter how young. He had such a way with the youth! He helped them focus on just having fun, not letting the competetive spirit rein. I really appreciated that since that is what we try to teach our daughter.

We had only recently moved to KY and this was our first time to sit down and chat with John and his family. We had such a great time that day, and now, we will look back on it as an even more precious memory.

Dearest Aunt Pam, Abby and Lissa...

I can never begin to express the sorrow and sympathy that throb through my heart and stream down my face...I wish my arms could extend across the miles and wrap around you, but know that they are lifted up in prayer for you. I am so thankful for the hope that we have and praise the Lord for such a godly man.

I was so privilaged to spend last summer with you...they will be memories forever treasured. But the ones closest to my heart will always be the ones of eating around the table together during lunch break. I always looked forward to that time, for it was when Uncle John would start the stories, usually with the girls prompting. :) And somehow he always seemed to bring an object lesson out of it. He was an amazing man. The love that he showered upon you Aunt Pam, and the gentle/firmness that he displayed to the girls was ever an encouragement to me. The willingness with which he took me in as another daughter and cheerfully fed me everyday will always be remembered...
I truly saw the love of Jesus in him. 

May your hearts "Be Stilled" and may somehow, someway,

Jesus repay, from His fulness all He has taken away...

I love you...

Abby

A year ago today Nov. 28 John Lello an pastor Dave came to our house to pray with us an comfort an promise to heip us during the tragic accident of nephew Caleb. Today, Pam, Abby an Alissa our hearts are weeping with you praying that soon we will see the silver lineing to this dark cloud.GOD Bless you ,
                                                                                   The Martins

Dear Pam,

There are some people you meet who you are instantly drawn to.  Your family was like this to us.  I remember the first time I met you all, in the old Danville church just a few years ago.  That day, I believe David was out the door before me (very strange, as he’s the outgoing one!), as I was so into my conversation with you – he nearly had to drag me out of the church!  What a blessing to meet such a Godly family!  My kids adore your girls, and Abby and Alissa, you’ve always been so kind to them. 

About a year ago, we were privileged to have you to our home for an evening.  You could just tell from listening to John that he was ITCHING to get to PNG to share Jesus with "your" Ama people.  He took time to explain things to David, who had questions about LOTS of things.  ;)  Later, the kids and guys played hide and seek and had all kinds of fun.  John did the evening worship, and the kids really liked seeing the stuff from Papua New Guinea that he had with him.  When it was time to go to bed that night, the kids were giving goodbye hugs.  Isaac, who really doesn’t give hugs out to people other than family, was giggling as he gave John a goodnight hug.  It spoke volumes of the kind of person John was – gentle, kind, and patient – that my shy son would take such a liking to him.  I remember that as Isaac went to hug John, I noticed that apparently Isaac had been having so much fun during the hide and seek game that he didn’t make it to the bathroom in time, and was all wet.  Still, John found a way to give him a hug without bringing attention to the problem and embarrassing my little fella.  An example in kindness!

The last time we saw you all, we just happened to run into you all at a gas station.  The four of you were nice and cozy in the front of your truck, where I believe you had ridden all night, giggling because you had run out of gas, I think, just as you got to the gas station, and you had to coast in.  What an example!  Laughing instead of being short and cranky during that little trial. 

I’m thankful that we got to know your family.  When our AFM magazines would come in the mail, yours were always the first stories we read.  Ruby seems unable to forget Tokengo’s name, though I’m sure I pronounce it incorrectly.  =O  Your family’s passion for missions and for Jesus was always very evident. 

My heart is broken for you and your precious girls.  I ache to think about what you are going through right now, and you are in my thoughts and prayers all through the day (and night, too, when I wake up!)  I don’t understand why things have happened as they did, and really, we may not understand until heaven.  But in the short time we have until Jesus comes again, Pam, don’t give up.  Cling tightly to Jesus.  And I pray that He will hold you, Abby, and Alissa tightly in His arms.

Much love and prayers,

Kim

Mom and Dad and John and I (Lois) outside of Pioneer Memorial Church.  This was one of Dad's two graduations from Andrews.  John must of been 4 years old at the time.  

We are facing the future site of the (current) JohnNAndrews statue representing the missionary sending legacy that JNAndrews began.  Little did John Lello know at that time that his life would be destined for just such a journey.  May God bless the seeds that He has sown.

This was Dad's idea.  I could see the Physics teacher light up in John's eyes as he discussed the properties of superconductors with the prof.  Pictured are the Prof, John, Bro in law Laurence Burn, neice Ruth Burn,  daughters Alissa and Abby Lello, and nephew Jonathan Burn.  It was fun to see John's physics problem solving come alive.