2023-202? – Retirement, Ministry, and Beyond

2023

I attend the Jibacam annual board meeting in Guatemala.

I attend Jessica’s graduation ceremony for her doctorate in special education. I am able to attend the second all missionary retreat which is held in Greece.

I join the city band and get to play in 3 concerts

We hold the 7^th cross cultural training event in Alicante, Spain. There are four participants, and this is their second time in the program. All four feel called to serve in Spain. It is a great opportunity to apply the training in the context in which they may serve in the future.

In the states I apply for and am accepted as a translator for the public schools and as a substitute teacher for the local schools.

Jeff comes and helps me cut down a few trees. Jeff and John help me in different stages of the building of a garage next to my house.

For six months I have been holding zoom meetings on developing missions in the francophone countries. As a result of this I am invited to the annual national conference to present materials on missions and then to a leadership meeting that is developing a long-range plan for training and sending missionaries.

I decided to change churches. While I am enjoying being part of a small group where I have been attending, I have not been able to find a place of service or ministry. At the new church I am asked to lead the men’s bible study. After careful consideration I accepted, and we use the Ordinary Men book as the source of our studies.

I travel to Maine as part of a bucket list to visit all the states. Only two more to go, Alaska and Louisiana.

Again I am invited to the Missionary Awakening camp in Colombia (seventh). This year I prepare borsch

Jessica and I travel to Belice for our father daughter trip. Jeff and Heather’s second son is born between Christmas and New Years. I will make a trip to see him next year.

Book 50 – Life in Transition – As I transition to retirement I decided to look at the book of Joshua to explore various aspects of transition.

Book 22 – Prosperity in the kingdoms of the bible OT – I started this book long ago and finally am able to finish it.

Book 51 – Prosperity in the kingdoms of God NT – After years of study and writing I am finally able to finish the second volume on this topic.

Books 52-57 – Soaring in the Heights – I am asked by the director of an aviation mission to write a series of 5 devotionals and a commentary with a focus on encouraging those being called into mission aviation. The five devotionals have been completed. The commentary awaits the right time for completion.

2024

I am able to visit the missionary base in the Amazonas area of Colombia. This couple attended the cross-cultural training program and have established a pastoral training program as well as planting a church. They hope to reach other tribes in the area and be a training site for future missionaries. I contract chinkingunya a mosquito born virus. It takes a month to recover fully.

I then travel to Panama to visit friends and then on to Bolivia for the annual Jibacam Board meeting. This is the first time to return to this country since my visit just before Nancy’s death.

I make a trip to visit Jeff and help with the construction of their new house. I also get to see my newest grandson.

I have knee replacement surgery on my right knee. Donavan joins me in the city band and we get to play together twice.

Jess comes for a visit. I arrange for her to enjoy a short flight in a small plane. It has been over 25 years since the last time she flew in one.

I attend the funeral services of a close missionary friend Rick West.

I have to set up a new website called PHministry.org. This site will provide information about many things. Here is a list: Books, Audiobooks, Video Seminars, Reports on Cross-cultural training, Missionary Awakening Camp, Mission bases of Jibacam, and will include the Missives. (You have found the site if you are reading this.)

Jess and I travel to Jeff and Heather at Christmas.

Book 58 – Elements of Discipleship – I was asked to do a presentation on discipleship in relation to missions for the missionary awakening camp. This book is the result of that study.

2025

I attend the men’s retreat for the NW district held at Cedar Canyon camp. This opens the way to make contacts with people from the district and various churches. I reserve a camp site to attend the district conference in June.

The 8^th cross-cultural training program is held in Quepe, Chile. Edgar and Eudilio join me for the cross-cultural training event. We have a couple from Chile and a young man from Peru. All are sensing God’s call to missions. Ricardo, a former participant who is now the national director missions, joins as a trainer in preparation.

Whatsapp groups – A group from India is added to the three groups from Africa. All four are following a series of devotionals called The Journey-Emmaus to Pentecost.

I join the Jibacam board in Puerto Rico for our annual meeting. While there Edgar and I visit the Dominican Republic.

I then travel to Panama to attend the international missions conference of Spanish speaking countries organized by Comiban. While there I get to visit our many friends and coworkers.

Book 59 – Wellness on the field – This book is in development in relation on how to provide care and support to those serving in missions.

Book 60 – Foreigners in our midst – This is the most recent book in the People of the Bible series

Book 61 – Missional Commentary OT – vol 1 – Pentateuch – this is the first in a series of commentaries on the OT in relation to missiology. Volume one is nearing completion. Over the next couple of years I hope to continue working on a series that touches all of the OT.