30 Years at Sanford

NTM’s home office hosted its annual Staff Appreciation Dinner this past week.  Dave and I were awarded a certificate and rotating globe to honor our 30 years serving here in Sanford.  (Both of us have been serving with NTM for longer than that, but it’s 30 years for Dave at this location.)

The evening started with a video, taken last month, showing elders and deacons being appointed in a tribal church.  And every certificate presented was prefaced by something that has transpired in NTM over the last 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 years.  Like, in the last 30 years, NTM’s church planting efforts has expanded into 17 new countries.  The point was clear – our involvement here has impacted NTM’s efforts around the world.

I chuckled when Dave commented to me later, “I felt a little old. We were among those who had served the longest in Sanford.”  Granted, we are starting to look like Senior Citizens, with Ruth’s reading glasses and Dave’s silver hair.  But… there’s still more to do, and with God’s help, we are still able to serve Him and our NTM missionaries.  May our hearts be strong and focused. “Looking unto Jesus…who for the joy that was set before Him ENDURED…”