Slide 1:The Last Letter It's actually an ancient tradition of soldiers and missionaries who as they board a ship or plane, write their family and friends a letter that they think might be their final communication! Click to advance >


Slide 2:This letter was read by her pastor at her funeral: Karen Watson counted the cost. Then she followed God with her heart and with her head as she entered the war zone of Iraq to share with people there the message that had made her willing to sacrifice everything. Dear Pastor,You should only be opening this letter in the event of my death. When God calls there are no regrets. I tried to share my heart with you as much as possible, my heart for the nations. I wasn't called to a place; I was called to Him. To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory my reward, The missionary heart:Cares more than some think is wiseRisks more than some think is safeDreams more than some think is practicalExpects more than some think is possible I was called not to comfort or to success but to obedience... There is no Joy outside of knowing Jesus and serving Him. I love you and my church family. In His care, Salaam, Karen Watson, 38, of Bakersfield, Calif., was one of four Southern Baptist International Mission Board workers killed March 1, 2004 when the vehicle they were riding in was ambushed in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.


Slide 3:This letter was probably the last sent to his mum: Francisco Martinez-Flores was a Marine PFC "I think you all know what is happening, and I hope you are praying for me. I love you very much. God will reward me in the future for the sacrifice I am making. Take care, and I hope to see you in the next few months."-Francisco Martinez-Flores Francisco was in the midst of convoy operations when the bridge he was traveling over collapsed and his tank plunged into the Euphrates River, sinking and killing everyone inside. His mother Martha and sister Nayeli Martinez-Flores share their memories, including a letter they received after Francisco was buried. God will reward me


Slide 4:Lee had written a last letter to his fiancée, 21-year-old Helen O’Pray, in case he did not return. Gunner Lee Thornton, 22, from Blackpool Hi babe, I don't know why I am writing this, because I really hope that this letter never gets to you, because if it does that means I am dead. It also means I never had time to show you just how much I really did love you. You have shown me what love is and what it feels like to be loved. Every time you kissed me and our lips touched so softly, I could feel it. I got the same magical feeling at our first kiss. I could feel it when our hearts get so close they are beating as one. You are the beat of my heart, the soul in my body; you are me, because without you I am nothing. I love you, Helen, you are my girlfriend, my fiancée and my best friend. You are the person I know I could turn to when I needed help - you are the person I looked at when I needed to smile and you are the person I went to when I needed a hug. When I am away, it is like I have left my soul at your side. I will always be looking over you Letter continued on next slide…


Slide 5:Lee was fatally shot in Basra, Iraq on September 7, 2006. Lee was in the 12th Regiment Royal Artillery and was the 118th British soldier to be killed in Iraq. You have shown me how to live and you have shown me how to be truly happy. I want you to know that every time I smile, you have put it there. You make me smile when others can't, you make me feel warm when I am cold. You have shown me so much love and so much more. I want you to know how much you mean to me. You are my whole world and I love you with all my heart. You are my happiness. Every night I spent away I had a photo of you on my headboard. Each night I would go to bed, kiss my fingers then touch your face. I put the photo over my bed so you could look over me as I slept. Well, now it is my turn to look over you as you sleep and keep you safe in your dreams. I will always be looking over you to make sure you're safe. Helen, I want to say something and I mean this more than I ever did before. You were the love of my life, the girl of my dreams. Just because I have passed away does not mean I am not with you. I'll always be there looking over you, keeping you safe. So whenever you feel lonely, just close your eyes and I'll be there, right by your side. Love always and for ever, Lee …continued from previous slide


Slide 6:The letters can be as dry as the desert dust that still covers them and as bright and powerful as a rocket streaking across the Iraqi sky. Most are written in chicken-scratch penmanship, with misspelled words and blotchy pen marks, but they are rich in spirit, full of thoughts about philosophy and beauty and love… and they are cherished by the writers' families.