In Loving Memory

Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,

My wonderful wife Terry passed away on my birthday, October 25, 2021 after a 19 month battle with Ovarian Cancer. Terry was my love, the mother of our children, my confidante, my encourager, my prayer warrior, my ministry partner. She sparkled as my dream date. She was my best friend.

We met in church. From the start, she was an inspiration, the flavor in my life. We shared common values. Having received Jesus as a child, Terry was a solid believer. I was a young Christian, but on fire for the Lord. We were both passionate worshipers. We began leading worship together even before we were married.

Leading Worship at EPECVM Church, Paris (2019)

We made a life together, and had a family together. We did everything together. I am so glad she is finally pain-free and with Jesus. Still, I miss her. A lot. She was God’s gift to me. I am grateful for our 43 years together.

For 22 years, she was my partner in the ministry of Heavenworks.

A terrific musician, Terry was mostly self-taught, a natural. I had a degree in music, but she had a gorgeous voice, perfect pitch and was a great accompanist with a deep understanding of harmony. 

I was blessed to lead meetings with her all over the French-speaking world. We went where we were invited, to God-honoring churches of many denominations.

She had an amazing ear and musical memory. We would watch a film she’d seen 20 years ago, and she would start humming the musical underscore: she still remembered all the themes.

Terry fascinated me. She spoke her mind fearlessly with no filter. She intuitively understood people, their hearts and motives. She had a winning smile that seemed to say anything was possible.

When I sensed God ushering us into vocational ministry 22 years ago, she flowed with it. Because I am a French and American citizen, doors opened for us to lead services and teach worship seminars all over the French-speaking world.

Muslim Outreach, Beirut (2007)

While Terry didn’t speak French, and was not gifted in languages, she had something more important: she loved people and knew how to connect with them. A natural communicator, she would often share in our services. I’d translate for her. She was always ready to contribute and could be uproariously funny. 

Everywhere we went, people loved Terry. They appreciated the effort she had spent learning all our worship songs in French.

When people came forward for prayer in our meetings, the the Holy Spirit would often overwhelm them as she loved on them, embracing them like a mother holds her newborn child. She loved praying for people and wiping the tears from their eyes.

Three Prisoners Receive Christ, Ivory Coast (2014)

After a lot of hard work, we finally released our French Praise CD, “Un amour éternel” in Fall, 2019. We were so blessed by the response to our music and planning expanded ministry tours for 2020.

Terry’s Ovarian Cancer diagnosis in March, 2020 came as a shock. Terry had been in perfect health. 

After four rounds of chemo and a complex surgery, Terry’s cancer marker was back in the normal range. It appeared she had been healed. But six months later, the cancer came back. This time, the team of specialists ran out of medical options.

I am grateful for the excellent care she received at UCLA. We had 19 more months together. During these challenging times, we made some precious memories together and with our family. We would often hold hands in bed at night, listening to love songs.

Watching Terry’s condition deteriorate was discouraging, but several times we had seen God heal people of cancer through prayer in our meetings. Many friends were praying for her. Entire churches in France were interceding for her. 

Terry was a huge part of my life and our work. I refused to give up praying. I loved her. I wanted her by my side.

Life is precious, because we never know how many days we’ve got left, and we don’t get to decide when we’re done living on earth. God alone knows. Even in hospice care at our home, we continued to pray for Terry’s healing, but she was not improving. It became obvious her 75 lb. cancer-ridden body was shutting down.

A week before Terry passed, I remember pouring my heart out to God through my tears. “I am SO disappointed,” I repeated over and over and over, devastated. While He was not answering, I felt His comforting presence so near to me.

Terry and I were probably the last ones in the family to realize God did not intend to merely give her a partial, temporary healing here on earth. He planned to heal Terry completely, permanently and spectacularly – in Heaven.

In her final moments here, Terry was surrounded by family. We were privileged to witness the joy on her face as she transitioned in Jesus’ presence. It was an unforgettable, supernatural moment.  I shared the details at Terry’s Memorial service.

When Terry passed into glory, she left behind unfulfilled earthly ambitions. For one, she was determined that I continue with the work. I will. So much remains to be done. 

Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement throughout this difficult season. God doesn’t waste anything, not even our tears, disappointments and pain. All the challenges Terry and I faced together these past 19 months have refined my perspective on healing. They have given me a powerful message to share.

We so appreciate your prayers and support during this new chapter for Heavenworks.

Carrying on in Jesus, and in Terry’s memory ♡,

Michael Harriton