Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

I'm not one to celebrate anniversaries. You can ask my wife, Debbie, about that. I'm afraid that lack of attention to dates has gotten me into trouble a time or two.

That's why yesterday's anniversary happened and I almost didn't realize it. On May 16, 1988, I officially began my tenure as Mission Director of SMMM making May 16, 2008 the 20th anniversary of that event.

I'll never forget my first day. I hadn't "officially" been director for more than a few hours when I answered a telephone call from a gentleman associated with a church with whom SMMM had major doctrinal differences. When I turned down his request to use Camp Nathanael for a church retreat he began making all sorts of threats, including taking legal action, against SMMM. Thankfully the Lord intervened and the threats were just that without any action. What an opening day!

Where have those twenty years gone? The time has literally flown by! Much has happened from expanded mission staff, to expanded outreaches, to expanded facilities but it all took place because of the solid foundation and heritage I inherited from those who went before me. One thing I didn't anticipate when I became director was the responsibility to participate in the funerals of SMMM's original missionaries. I guess I thought they'd live forever. They are all now living forever in Heaven and it has been an honor to carry forward their vision and dream these past twenty years.

What's next? That's in God's control. All I know is my prayer is to "run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."

That's what's happening along the banks of Troublesome Creek until next time.