ADs January Devotional

Honor Whom Honor is Due

 

 

Our heartfelt thanks go to our beloved colleagues Ron and Carolyn Hittenberger who will be “retiring” from their many responsibilities after 48 ½ years of faithful service.   Honored as unsung heroes in our MR in 2009, their life story serves as an inspiration to the next generation, which has always been the focus of their ministry.   They’ve served 23 years in Haiti, 4 years in the Bahamas, 10 years as the Academic Dean of the Caribbean School of Theology and finished their career as the Global Caribbean Director.  When Ron transitioned from CST to Global in 2009, the leaders of CFAGE honored Ron with endearing words of appreciation for his impact on their lives.  As Ron announced his final resignation, words of praise continued.  Rev. Dr. Patrick Paul from the Bahamas writes, “You have indeed left a legacy in these parts of the world and we know that a rich reward awaits you in Glory!”   Rev. John Smith writes, “From Guyana we wish to record our deep appreciation for your labor of love in the Caribbean in all areas. ”  In 2011 in a prayer covenant, Ron wrote, “The Lord impressed upon my heart the importance of finishing strong in my walk with Him. My heart's desire is to be faithful in serving the Lord to the end of my days.”    Ron and Carolyn, as your colleagues, we honor you.   You are indeed finishing strong and are definitely leaving a legacy of godly and selfless service for the Glory of God.  [Ron’s favorite scripture Deut 31:8 ESV  ^“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”]



Merry Christmas 2013!

We send you our love and greetings

 

 for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

Dale and Patti

 

 

ADs December Devotional

 

Life finds a way 

Does it seem that life moves from simple to complicated?   Right now the airways are filled with news of the HealthCare debacle with website meltdowns and a maze of regulations and controls.  Complicated?  Yes, but simple.   These shouldn’t be issues of politics but life!  Does in seem that ministry moves from simple to complicated?  Overload on reports, faltering support, and not enough time.   Complicated?  Yes, but simple.   Our calling is rooted in life.  Jesus said, “I have come to give you life more abundantly.”   Life has a way of breaking through the complicated.  In the movie Jurassic Park when John Hammond exclaims that the park has structures in place to control the dinosaur population, Dr. Ian Malcolm reacts: “John, the kind of control you're attempting simply is not possible. If there is one thing that history has taught us it's that life will not be contained. Life breaks free, it expands to new territories and crashes through barriers, painfully, maybe even dangerously, but, uh... well, there it is…life finds a way.”   The secret of life is to keep our focus on the author of Life.   Remember how Paul handled his complications of wrong motives and envious rivalry?  “Some preach Christ out of selfish ambition^.   But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. “ (Phil. 1:18)  Keep Christ your focus.  Keep in simple.   Life will find a way to crash through your barriers.

ADs November Devotional

 

Coade Stone: Enduring the Test of Time 

A form of my last name ‘Coad’ was originally rendered ‘Coade’ until a forefather Americanized it upon emigration from Great Britain to America.  Knowing this, I was drawn to a devotional from ‘Our Daily Bread’ entitled ‘Coade Stone.’  The October 16, 2013 article declared, “Throughout London, there are statues and other items made from a unique building material called Coade stone. Developed by Eleanor Coade in the late 1700s, this artificial stone is virtually indestructible and has the capacity to withstand time, weather, and man-made pollution.’  Eleanor succeeded in making an enduring type of stoneware product, which was easily molded into complex shapes that beautified England.   She succeeded where others failed.   I had to know, what was her secret?  Mrs. Coade's own name for her products was Lithodipyra "twice fired stone".   She used ball clay, a material with high plasticity that is common to that area.  Then she added crushed and once fired flint and soda lime silica with common sand to the clay mixture.   The competition was fierce but only Eleanor found the formula to create such a strong and lasting substance.   How?  She used the right combination of common materials subjected to a carefully controlled kiln firing over a period of four days.  Let’s face it, nobody wants to be ‘common’ and few of us embrace the fiery trials such as rejection with joy.  But our longevity and lasting impact in ministry may well depend on our willingness to be molded and then subjected to the Master’s kiln over His pre-determined time.   Jesus Himself, the living stone, faced rejection triumphantly and endured!  I Peter 2:4-5 (MSG) put it this way:  “Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you’ll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God.”   Coade Stone statutes have lasted over 150 year despite the harsh environment of London.    They were resilient.  So are you!  God has perfected the process of perfecting you.   Let Him.  Your ministry will endure.