35 Years Ago

On Sunday afternoon, March 31st, 1980, a very skinny, 14-year-old Missionary Kid became something more: he became a preacher of the Gospel, answering a call that could not be ignored.

1980...a loooong time ago

"Be An Example" was the title of that nervously-prepared, very poorly-delivered message to that youth service – but it's one I've striven to live by from then till now.

How can one say "No"? When God heals you of a brain tumor when you're not ready to meet Him...this photo was taken one day before a brain surgery that never happened!

Four brothers, later in 1980, all preachers today...pick the ugliest one and you'll know who's writing this. :)

35 years...it's been an interesting but very often rough road so far. Had the skinny kid known then what he knows now, he would have been scared stiff and filled with dread at some things that awaited...but he still would have said Yes to the Call. 

Because it's still Yes.

And that's because God is so very faithful. He keeps His servants. As a favorite song in Spanish says (rough translation), 

Here we are, with the Sword still held tightly in our hands; 
A few years older now; here and there, a scar, 
But still standing and still fighting...longing to see You;
Here we are, although some no longer stand here by our side
And Fall has swept away Summer; 
Winter will be raw, but here we are ––
And Spring is on the way...

Our boat took water so many times during the night
And the fact it never sank is just by Your hand
Not by our ability, but by Your compassion
Here we are, knowing that it's only by Your grace
And aware that there is always a tomorrow
In your Name and by faith...here we are.  (Marcos Vidal, Aquí Estamos)

In these three-and-a-half decades, the Message and Mission haven't changed at all, so the messenger and the missionary have had to keep preaching it and doing it. I believe I can say with a clear conscience that the Message is still being preached in its entirety, and lived. It's still One God...Acts 2:38...Hebrews 12:14...Revelation 22:12. And it's still mandatory. And it still works!

God has been good...and I expect to see Him very soon. To, Him, our Master and Lord: "Thank You...it is a privilege, joy, and honor to serve You, and to serve You in this capacity, whatever the price."

Love,

––A grateful servant of Jesus Christ