Retirement Parties

Yes, that's plural--"Parties"
We have been overwhelmed by the affection shown by the mission organization we have worked with for fifty years -"InterAct Ministries", fellow workers, supporting partners and many of our family with a retirement party in Alaska in August and another here in the mission headquarters in Oregon in September.

The one in Alaska, organized by George and Judy Richardson, member care missionaries in Alaska and the one here, organized by the staff in the home office of the mission, included lots of people who fit in the descriptions above.
The mission commissioned a dear friend of ours Suzie Althens of Alaska to paint oil paintings depicting ministries, recent retirees of the mission were involved in during past years. With the consultation of our six children Suzie painted the picture which now hangs over our fireplace. It shows the boat we built to transport family and native kids to Kokrine Hills Bible Camp while we ministered there from the village of Tanana. We traveled many thousands of miles in that boat for many summers in Alaska. The picture is and will be a family treasure.

The highlight for Carol and I was to visit with so many people we love and respect. People who have been partners to us in so many ways.

Life hasn't changed that much for Carol and I since "officially" retiring, but the honor and love expressed by these special parties will warm our memories and cause us to thank our Lord who made all of it possible over the years.