“And God has especially enjoined tender respect toward the aged. He says, “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness” Proverbs 16:31. It tells of battles fought, and victories gained; of burdens borne, and temptations resisted. It tells of weary feet nearing their rest, of places soon to be vacant.” Education, p. 244, EGW

I have not yet experienced the crown of glory, but I know that when your life is blended with that of the Life-Giver, there will be lots of glory. After almost three decades with AFM, I am one exceedingly grateful hoary-headed missionary.

God has blessed me by allowing me to see schools built and a furniture shop begun; households grown and farms established; wells dug so people can drink clean water; churches planted and erected. He has allowed me to witness hundreds of baptisms and lives changed for the better. All these things make worthwhile the hot days and thirsty mouth; sore muscles and pushing myself even when it’s hard; long travel, dusty roads, overheated vehicles and broken windshields; the wish for a Taco Bell; language learning mistakes laughed at; family tragedies and missing your grandchildren’s lives; the dying of my father and the loss of a granddaughter. Now my own children (and two grandchildren) are in the mission field, and my wishing I could see them on a daily basis is hard.

Oh, the feet are weary, and soon my place at AFM will be vacant. I pray those who come behind me will also learn to fight the battles, with victories gained, burdens borne, and temptations resisted. I pray that whoever takes my place will know that Jesus was right when He said He “will never leave you or forsake you.” During all these years, He has never left me or forsaken me.

I have come to a time in my life when I can look back and say, “I am so grateful for the road I chose.” I am truly thankful I grew old and hoary-headed in service to God. I would not change what I have done for the last 28 years—except to try harder and work more strenuously to tell multitudes that Jesus is coming very soon.

Are you ready to join AFM as a missionary? If you cannot go, you can support someone who has or will. Are you praying for missionaries? It makes all the difference in the world—your prayers saved my life many times. Thank you for praying for and joining me during these 28 years of service.

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