Brice remains positive

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake resident Larry Brice became a Christian in 1979 at the age of 24, while working for a cold storage company.

A coworker asked, "Why aren't you a Christian?" said Brice, 51.

Brice is associate pastor for Grace Harvest Church, chaplain coordinator for the Moses Lake Police Department and board chairman for Crossroads Resource Center.

He was recently diagnosed with cancer in his liver and large intestine. He said he plans to keep a positive outlook on life.

"I keep asking God, well, what are you up to? What's this all about?" Brice said.

He moved to Moses Lake from Othello in 1965. He is Louisiana-born but raised in Washington. He is married to Shirley Brice, his junior-high sweetheart. They have a daughter named Madison.

While Brice felt sad when he first learned he had cancer, Shirley Brice kept a positive attitude from the start about the situation.

"She keeps me upbeat," Brice said. "She keeps me positive."

On Nov. 20, Brice underwent a colonoscopy which revealed cancer on his intestine. On Nov. 21 he underwent a CT scan at Samaritan. Two days later, he found out the cancer spread to his liver. Doctors also discovered a spot on his lung, and they are keeping a close eye on it.

Brice experienced symptoms for a year before the Nov. 20 visit. In an attempt to alleviate stomach problems, Brice tried taking foods out of his diet.

"Nothing affected it at all," he said. A few months ago, he began experiencing symptoms of dizziness and decided to visit a doctor.

"We never expected this to happen. Ever," Brice said.

Since his diagnosis, people he never met are praying for him and sending him good wishes. To him, the support he receives from strangers is a concept his mind has trouble wrapping around.

"For some reason, people who really don't know me have had a burden to pray for me," he said.

He plans to remain actively involved with the church, even though the church pastor relieved him of his duties while he heals. He is afraid of becoming self absorbed when he knows others are struggling. As to whether he plans to continue with his duties as a police chaplain, Brice was headed to the police department Thursday to see how the officers were doing.

Police Chief Jim Jenkins said the officers depend on him for many of his services since he joined the department eight years ago.

"Larry's always been a real positive influence on the officers in the department," Jenkins said. "You know, in our situation that's always a bright light."

Jenkins said he is not just a chaplain but a close friend as well for many in the police department.

"Our thoughts and prayers are certainly with him at this time," he said.