2 days 'til June 1

It's Wednesday night (actually Thursday, early AM), just 2 days until we depart for Brazil. There are many things yet to do, but I have packed a suitcase full of things that were requested for the time we are in Recife. I've also paid a few bills, done some yard work, made some calls, and a few other things that I have checked off my TTD list.

Today was a long, tiring, and wonderful day. The funeral service for Cline Paden was this afternoon. It was a wonderful time to celebrate the life of this great man. Why have I been so blessed that I have known such a man, I'll never know. There must have been well over 1,000 people at the service. Many Sunset alumni (including Gabriel Yankee, from our class, who I haven't seen since we graduated in 1981), friends, Sunset church members, and others who loved this man and his family, and were influenced by Cline is many ways. I doubt many had more of an impact on world evangelism during the second half of the 20th century than did this man. What a joy to be around him. We had many special times eating peanuts in the parking lot together. He treated Bev, me, and our children so special. All of us loved him very much. Our prayers continue for Jo, Terry, Tim, and Tanja, and Gerald, and all who knew him.

Please pray for Bev; she's experiencing some numbness in her hand and pain in her neck. She had an MRI done today. Similar things happened two and one-half years ago; she then got a n injection of really strong medicine. Probably she'll have to wait for another shot (if it's necessary) until we get back.

My nephew Lucas graduated from the USAFA today. That was my dream for many years. I'm so proud of him.

A statement was made at the funeral today that has really profound meaning: "the 2 most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you realized why you were born."

I hope you know your purpose for being here. May God bless you richly.

Just a few days before we leave

I'm new at blogging. First time for me. I thought I would give it a try; maybe it'll be easier to communicate with family/friends while Bev and I are in Brazil.

Plans are to leave Lubbock on Friday, June 1, going first to Recife, then to Salvador on the 13th, then leaving Brazil on June 25th and arriving back in Lubbock the next day. While in Recife we'll do various evangelistic and benevolent works with TORCH Missions (sponsored by the Western Hills Church of Christ in Nashville; Terry Reeves is the director). Dannhy Bratcher, a recent Sunset grad., along with missionary Randy Short, are doing a lot to help get things ready. In Salvador I'll be doing a weekend study on the Minor Prophets (8th Century); on Sunday, the 17th, there will be one assembly for all the churches in the area. That should be another wonderful experience (maybe 400+ Christians for that). I'll be doing some additional teaching there, but not sure of all the details. Besides Bev and me, Tim Brumfield and a couple of current Sunset students will be in Brazil, but not all of us (other than Bev and me) in the same place at the same time.

It's been 3 years since I was in Brazil and I'm always amazed and thankful at the good works that are being done in Salvador and the state of Bahia. God has truly blessed the work there.

We are so thankful for the many people who gave sacrificially to help us make this trip. There are so many wonderful people who love us and continue to encourage us.

For those I haven't talked to or written lately, here are a few things going on in recent days (past and future):
1. Sunset graduation (55 graduates) was May 19
2. Bev and I had our 29th wedding anniversary on May 20
3. Daniel is getting married in Arkansas, Aug. 11
4. Josh and Kyleen both teach at Westbury Christian School in Houston
5. Lori and Jonathan are in Lubbock, both working at Sunset
6. Cline Paden, a very special person (friend, missionary, elder, preacher, Sunset founder) died last weekend; his funeral will be Wednesday (May 30).

Please pray for us.