ENSCHEDE – Sometimes you meet people who have a vision that is bigger than themselves. Dick Eastman, who was associated with Every Home (international) for over 46 years, was one such person. He passed away last week at the age of 82. He leaves behind a legacy that has touched millions worldwide, and that today still forms the foundation for what we started in Enschede.
Who was Dick Eastman? If you look at the figures, they are staggering. Under his leadership, a message of hope reached families in 215 countries. He wrote 17 books and spoke to tens of thousands of people. But for Dick, it was never about the large numbers. It was about the conviction that every individual, wherever they are in the world, deserves to be known and loved.
The Power of Attention
Dick believed in two simple things. Firstly: that sincere attention and prayer can change the world. Secondly: that no one should be overlooked. Whether you lived in a global city or a remote jungle village, Dick felt you were entitled to a message of Hope.
He was a man of the long game. In a world that is moving ever faster, he chose the path of loyalty. He was there, even when the spotlight wasn't on him. He believed in “simply being there” for others.
From the world to here
Perhaps you're wondering: what does an American visionary have to do with our neighbourhoods in the Netherlands? The answer is: everything. The reason we started walking the streets of Enschede with our magazine, that we're there for a chat, or to have a cup of coffee with a neighbour, stems from the very same thought that Dick Eastman embodied throughout his life.
We believe, just like Dick, that every house has a story. That every person is precious. And that we can only truly come home when the message of Hope lands in a sincere encounter.
A torch that keeps burning
Dick Eastman has completed his ‘race’, as it's so beautifully put. He leaves behind a wife, children and grandchildren, but also a global movement of people who believe in the power of Hope.
In Enschede, and hopefully the Netherlands too, we will carry that torch locally. Not with a loud, boastful message, but with the quiet conviction that there is a message of Hope for everyone!
Dick, thank you for your inspiration. We're pressing on, house by house.
