Change of Plans

Life in general often necessitates adjustments to one’s plans. Such was the case recently once more for Martha and me. Other World Evangelism team members and we prepared the Maywood Christian Camp outside of Hamilton, Alabama for our annual Missionary Retreat. We arrived Tuesday, May 1. However, the morning the program was to begin (on Thursday), Martha and I headed back to Winona instead of staying for the retreat. I had just gotten a root canal a few days ago, and another tooth nearby that one developed a similar problem that required a root canal, too.

Hence, after arriving back in Winona, Martha and I loaded the van and utility trailer for a Friday morning departure for Florida—via a stop for a root canal in Jackson, Mississippi as we passed through that city. The trailer was full of personal belongings of one of my sons, which we were to deliver to him in Florida on our way to Ocala. Around 3:30 p.m. Saturday, we arrived at my son’s residence. Finally, my attic is expunged of the last of my children’s keepsakes and so forth. I remember one time taking a similar load to another son, whereupon he said that he had no place to put it. I told him to stack it at the end of a couch, cover the boxes with a sheet and put a lamp on top of it!

Along the way, at the first rest area and welcome center in Florida, Martha made some new acquaintances. A couple little girls were on there way to Disney World to celebrate being adopted. Martha related to them how that she was adopted, too, when she was a little girl. Martha is very outgoing and makes friends easily everywhere we go, even along the way. She even made friends with a couple of “alligators” when we dined out one night for supper.

Sunday morning, Martha and I worshipped with the Middleburg, Florida Church of Christ. Bible class lessons, the sermon and worship were encouraging and uplifting. Sunday evening, we assembled with the University City Church of Christ in Gainesville, Florida.

Monday, Martha had appointments with two different doctors in the Gainesville area. Unable to get timely insurance approval for procedures Martha needs, we went to Ocala that evening. My mobile office in a borrowed bedroom in our temporary Ocala abode is up and running. In addition, appointments have been made for various things that we need to address while in Ocala. Several other things of an office nature, and a little repair work around the house, will keep us busy. Upon accomplishing these appointments, including Martha’s treatments, we will return to Winona, Mississippi.

A primary reason for our trip to Florida presently is for Martha to attend the high school graduation of one of her granddaughters. Sometimes, I feel a little bit like a ping-pong ball!

Printed Literature, Gospel Gazette & Maywood

Monday, April 30, Martha and I drove to Nashville, Tennessee. There we unloaded many thousands of Christian books, Gospel magazines, biblically relevant tracts and such like. We place the literature into five shipping barrels. The agent for Caribbean Shipping Service will haul them to Miami, whereupon they will be placed on an ocean freighter. About a month after leaving port, the drums will arrive in Georgetown, Guyana, South America. Brother Nigel Milo and the Amelia’s Ward Church of Christ in Liden, Guyana will retrieve the materials and distribute them to churches of Christ throughout the tropical nation.

Tuesday, May 1, Martha and I finished driving to Maywood Christian Camp outside of Hamilton, Alabama. For two days, others and we helped make ready for the beginning of our annual missionary retreat. As important as cleaning, etc. is the fellowship we experience with those especially devoted to carrying the Gospel abroad.

Wednesday evening, Martha and I made an unannounced visit with the Bear Creek Church of Christ in Bear Creek, Alabama. These good brethren support the original World Evangelism work as well as the labors for Christ in which we engage.

For several days, I have been putting together the May edition of Gospel Gazette Online. Rebecca Rushmore, my daughter, proofs it for me, finding several mistakes that I miss. Finally, late Wednesday night, Gospel Gazette Online was officially published for the world to see and to use. It is available without charge to the user for anyone and everyone around the world who has access to the Internet. Now in the 20^th year of continuous online publication, thousands of pages are preserved in the Archive besides the content of each new monthly issue of the journal.

We keep busy, and we like it that way. Martha and I want little else than to be useful tools in the hands of our Almighty God.