Great Plans

Tomorrow is our first day of retirement! That sure involves a lot of emotions. But basically, I know, life will go on, and God still has great plans for our lives!
Last week Sunday, Jamestown Baptist church had a day of celebration and thanksgiving for us. We have had a special connection with this church as we were the first missionaries that Jamestown took on for support when they were just starting out as a new congregation and we were just starting out as new missionaries. It was neat because they had invited our family and many friends and supporters to the services, some whom we hadn't seen in years.Our administrator Dave Southwell and his wife Ev were there. We had just been together for dinner while in Pennsylvania earlier in the week, and they did well at keeping the secret that they would be with us again in Michigan. Dave gave an encouraging and challenging word in the morning service. Following that service Sue and I spoke to the whole church in the Bible study hour, and showed a powerpoint presentation of our thirty-five years in Brazil - 35 years in 20 minutes! The Truth-seekers class - who have taken us under their wing in recent years - had a delicious lunch for us at noon. In the evening, we were interviewed about our ministry, including some questions for our kids Joel and Natali. Oh the things MKs have to go through, even years later! And then another big reception - with chocolate cake - after the service. Many people came up and gave us words of encouragement as well as memories of times together.It was an unforgetable day!