On the GO with the POES

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On the GO with the POES

The Poes are missionaries with Baptist Mid-Missions sent by Union Grove Baptist Church.

John and Debbie Poe began their ministry with Baptist Mid-Missions in Lima, Peru in 2001. Today they continue their ministry with Editorial EBI, a theological training and literature ministry.

05/16/2026

I am so thankful for everyone that joined us today for our celebration of life service remembering my Debbie. ❤️ It was a very special time for the girls and me to reflect on how blessed we are and to truly celebrate Christ and His Gospel. I’m so thankful for the hope of the resurrection!

For those that are interested, here is a link to the service on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/LO5gzqhm1og?si=vsq8RKGb5w4Jy-fE

05/13/2026

Here’s Debbie’s Obituary from today’s Sebring newspaper. (Please note there will be a second celebration of life service on June 13 in NC)

05/06/2026

We would be honored to have you join us at one of the Celebration of Life services as we remember our beloved Debbie. (Details below)

Our desire is to glorify the Lord as we reflect on her life. Debbie loved people deeply, and we hope this will be a meaningful time of remembrance, encouragement, and celebration of the joy she brought to so many.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

05/05/2026

WILL YOU PLEASE KINDLY HELP? In the days since Debbie went home to be with the Lord, I’ve been blessed thinking about the impact her life had on so many people.

One of the greatest gifts we could have right now would be to hear from you. ❤️

If Debbie touched your life in any way, whether you knew her for years or just a short time, would you take a moment and leave a comment?

Maybe share:
• How you met her
• A favorite memory
• Something she said or did that stayed with you
• A way she encouraged or blessed you

Our desire is to fill this page with testimonies of her life so that her children and grandchildren, now and for years to come, can see the legacy of faith, love, and kindness she left behind. It would be an encouragement to me now as I miss her so.

“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praiseth her.”
‭‭-Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭28‬ ‭

Thank you for helping us remember and honor a life that pointed so many to Christ.

04/30/2026

April 29, 2026 is a day our family will never forget. It is not the path we would have chosen, but we rest in the truth that God’s plans are never wrong. After a year-long battle with cancer, Debbie was finally and completely healed.

The medical staff did everything they could to help her regain strength while keeping her comfortable. A world-class team labored tirelessly to restore her health. But this was not God’s sovereign plan, and we trust Him.

We are so thankful our girls were able to arrive in time to see their mom. Each of us had moments alone with her, and also time together as a family. There were many tears, but there was also joy and laughter as we remembered and celebrated the countless blessings God gave us through Debbie.

On the morning before she passed, we were all gathered around her bed. I asked, “Debbie, can you hear us?” She gently but clearly nodded her head. One by one, we shared our love with her and told her what a blessing she had been to our lives. Then I said, “Debbie, if you know how much you are loved, will you squeeze your eyes tightly?” Instantly, and with unmistakable strength, she squeezed her eyes shut and wrinkled her forehead. There was a collective gasp, we knew she heard us, and she knew she was loved. It is a moment we will treasure forever.

That was our last clear communication with her. In the hours that followed, her heart remained strong, but her body was tired. It was evident she was ready to meet her Savior face to face. We were able to hold her hands, read Scripture, and pray over her in her final moments. I sang one of our favorite songs, “Be at Rest,” and within minutes, her time on earth was complete.

For years, I’ve quietly kept track of the “bonus days” I had with Debbie. I started counting on June 16, 2014, right after she nearly died from liver disease. Yesterday, as she left us, I thanked God for 4,337 extra days with my wife, my soulmate, my best friend.

Debbie had not been able to eat or drink by mouth since June 4 of last year. She often said how much she longed for a glass of ice-cold water. Today, she thirsts no more. She is home, and she is drinking deeply of the Water of Life in Christ.

Thank you all for your kindness to our family. Your prayers have sustained us. Your messages have encouraged us more than you know.

We are not rushing final arrangements, but we do plan to have a Celebration of Life service in both Florida and North Carolina. We will share details here as they come together. God is good!

04/29/2026

Debbie is with Jesus ❤️

04/28/2026

UPDATE ON DEBBIE: After a few days of what seemed like progress I received word today that the pathology reports had come in. The same cancer that had attacked Debbie’s tongue last year has spread to the pleural cavity around her lungs. The doctor said he believed there was no cure and that it was time to talk about palliative care.

I first asked if Debbie would ever be able to leave the hospital. He said it wasn’t safely possible. I then asked if she could be taken off the ventilator so that she might communicate with us. That also isn’t promised without causing her undue suffering.

I explained to a hall filled with the medical team that we are Christians and that Debbie knows with certainty where she is going. I then got to thank them for all the efforts they have made.

Following the conversation a nurse practitioner told me she knew us. “Six years ago I checked in Debbie and prepared her for her transplant.” She went on to say she remembered how kind Debbie was. That was an extra special blessing during a difficult time.

Tomorrow both of our girls will be here. Our granddaughter, son-in-law, and Olivia’s boyfriend will also arrive. We look forward to a few cherished final memories together. We don’t know how much longer we have with our Debbie, but it would be selfish to delay the most beautiful trip she will ever take. She will soon see her Savior.

Take a moment to read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Then, “comfort one another with these words.”

04/26/2026

UPDATE ON DEBBIE: Yesterday, I wasn’t sure Debbie had any chance of survival. I am 100% confident that God is at work in this situation, but it seemed her time here might be very short.

Debbie remains in extremely critical condition. She is in the most intensive section of the ICU, with a nurse by her side 24 hours a day. At this point, she has more machines, monitors, pumps, and drains attached to her than I’ve ever seen. IV pumps are stacked high around her bed. She has been started on dialysis. She is intubated and on a ventilator. The most advanced monitoring is being used to watch her heart and vital functions.

But God has chosen to keep her here. After two days of very little response, she has clearly acknowledged our voices by nodding and slightly shaking her head. When Olivia said, “Mommy, I love you. I want to be just like you,” Debbie gently and deliberately nodded her head and blinked her eyes. That was a precious gift from the Lord.

The doctors have identified an infection and are now able to target it specifically. This does not rule out cancer, even mesothelioma has been mentioned. But, they are hopeful that targeting the infection will help stabilize her blood pressure. Dialysis should also help remove toxins and excess fluid from her body, which could reduce the fluid in her lungs. If that happens, it may eventually allow her to come off the ventilator and reduce her need for heavy sedation.

It is all very delicate. One doctor said last night, “She couldn’t be any sicker.” Today, her low blood pressure has begun to affect her liver, adding yet another challenge.

Could God work a miracle? Certainly. Is He planning to this time? Only He knows. But He is already ministering to our needs in ways that can only be described as miraculous, and for that we are deeply thankful.

Elizabeth, Gwendolyn, Josiah, and Olivia’s boyfriend Micah are scheduled to arrive Tuesday morning. It will be a comfort to have them close.

04/24/2026

Revelation 21:4 – “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Debbie has been in very difficult condition since arriving at Tampa General Hospital one week ago. She has not been able to move forward with any of the planned surgeries. She has simply been too weak, and there have been multiple complications that have made treatment impossible. Without surgical intervention, her condition cannot improve, and in several ways she has declined during this time.

We believe with all our hearts that God is able to perform a miracle. Debbie could walk out of this hospital completely restored. But we also recognize that His miracle may be her perfect healing in heaven, along with the grace He gives our family to walk through this. Above all, our desire is that God would be glorified and that others would see that we trust Him, even in the darkest moments.

At this point, it is very possible that we are entering Debbie’s final days with us. Even a small complication could lead to a rapid decline. We are choosing not to share all the details, but please know she has endured so much.

We would deeply appreciate your prayers:

* That God would give us strength for each day. We are anxious, exhausted, and overwhelmed.
* That we would have clarity about what can and cannot be done, and wisdom for the medical decisions ahead.
* For Elizabeth and Debbie’s mom, who are far away, that we would know if and when they should come, given the limitations here.
* That Debbie would remain calm and at peace, and that the sedation would keep her comfortable as she is cared for.

God is good. His ways are perfect. This is not outside of His hands.

04/20/2026

DEBBIE UPDATE: Your prayers are truly encouraging us and helping sustain us, Thank you!

This weekend has been a difficult one following Debbie’s transfer to Tampa General Hospital. It was a hard disappointment to learn that she was too weak and unstable to undergo surgery this past Friday. Since arriving, she has experienced a couple of frightening cardiac episodes, one of which required the STAT team to rush in. (I will never get used to that!)

On top of that, her PEG tube (used for fluids, nutrition, and medication) failed. Even after replacement, it continued to leak, and as a result, Debbie has gone most of the past three days without nutrition. Thankfully, she hasn’t felt hunger and is receiving necessary fluids through her IV.

Today will be a full and demanding day. They plan to surgically replace the PEG tube, run additional tests, and continue extensive evaluations in hopes of preparing her for the major lung surgery she needs. This process involves coordination and clearance from multiple teams, including, cardiology, nephrology, infectious disease, oncology, the transplant team, and the surgical team. At this point, we still do not have clarity on if or when surgery will be possible.

It is very hard to see Debbie so uncomfortable. She is at the lowest point I have seen her, both physically and emotionally.

If you would, please pray with us:

-That Debbie would find relief from pain and that her heart rate would stabilize, allowing her to get meaningful rest
-That the doctors would give careful attention to her case and that all the necessary pieces would come together to move her toward surgery
-That our family would have calm, steady hearts through all of this

I’ve been holding onto this promise:
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
— Revelation 21:4

Address

Sebring, FL

Website

http://www.poefolks.com/

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