For we are labourers together with God (1 Corinthians 3:9).

by James Ray

The great missionary David Brainerd died in the home of Jonathan Edwards in Northampton, Massachusetts. Jonathan Edwards, writing about that event in an article, spoke of the last times of David Brainerd. "David's last church service, his last prayers with the family, his last horseback ride, the last time he went out of our gate alive, his last message."

Edwards wrote, "I praise God that in His providence Brainerd should die in my house so that I might hear his prayers, so that I might witness his consecration and be inspired by his example."

It was more than 40 years ago when a young couple seeking support came by the church I pastored. Bob and Gail Huffman were going to Paris, France, to share news of the Redeemer. With two little girls, they arrived in Colombes, France, in 1969 to begin learning the French language.

They moved to Argenteuil in 1971. The earliest meetings were held in their apartment, followed by the move to a house in 1972.

In 1977 they moved to a larger house in town where for 24 years they shared the Gospel of God's love to those around them. A church was established, and in 2001 the present building was acquired with room for 120-150 people. Through the years I have visited Bob and Gail and preached in their church in this suburb of Paris.

When BIMI celebrated its 50 years of ministry in June 2010, nearly 800 people were present under the big tent. Missionaries from all over the world converged on the campus of BIMI to celebrate the event. One was Bob Huffman. Bob and Gail traveled all the way from Paris to be there.

Bob and Gail had journeyed through more than 40 years of missionary ministry. They still radiated the same spirit as the young couple I first met in 1969. There was, however, a difference. Bob, once the picture of health and vitality, now stood in our midst with a tint of sadness in his eyes. His frame was no longer the vibrant always energetic form I knew, but now thin and weak, he still stood upright and bold. Bob had been battling cancer for a time. He knew his days were limited. A few days earlier BIMI presented Bob with a special award for the faithful and tremendous work he and Gail accomplished in France. In the midst of our joyful reunion with Bob, we all rejoiced but felt foreboding emotion of "last times."

Bob and Gail returned to Paris. As Bob neared the gates of eternity, he thought of those friends and churches who had stood with him throughout the journey. He wrote the following:

There are some among you who have prayed for us and sent support from the beginning of our ministry in 1969. Others have joined along the way. We love and respect each one of you because of your consecration and faithfulness to the great commission.

You were there when we had physical and spiritual needs!

You were with us when two young Christians with two little girls, only two and six, left all they knew to go to a foreign country, language and culture.

You stayed with us as we labored to learn French, trying at the same time to make contacts and share the love of Christ with them.

We were aware of your prayers as we witnessed to neighbors, fellow students, and later to merchants in the open market where we held a Bible and book stand.

You went with us through each step of the ministry, from starting with English classes and Bible clubs in the high-rise apartment complex to the house where we held services in the garage turned chapel to the old stone house in town where we met first in the living-dining room, then in the basement, and finally in a renovated workshop just behind the house.

You accompanied us through each phase of outreach: the recorded telephone messages, tract distribution, summer and winter camps, the ladies meetings, the youth group, AWANA clubs, films, concerts and the radio program the church sponsored.

You stayed by us as the children grew up, through our son Lance's meningitis, our daughter Lauri's bout with Hodgkin's disease, and now through my wife's Parkinson's disease.

You were faithful to pray and give as the church outgrew the building and as we searched for a place to purchase in 2000-2001. You saw God answer prayer and give us our present building and you stayed with us through the years of renovation and for the inauguration.

Now the church has called a national pastor and the ministry and outreach goes on through the Christians we have trained to take over the teaching and other responsibilities. Just last Sunday seven teens made professions of faith at a dinner and meeting on Saturday night!

As most of you know, my physical status has been affected by pancreatic cancer, and tests show that the chemotherapy has not had the desired effect. Therefore, all treatments have been stopped and we don't know what the future holds. Of one thing we are sure: we know the Lord holds the future in His Hands, and we are trusting Him completely for the outcome.

As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you (Jeremiah 26: 14).

On December 3, Bob Huffman made his last journey to the church in Paris that he had started so many years ago. The young man who had come by my church to tell me of his vision for Paris had at last reached the end of the journey.

Gail stood lovingly by his side as she had throughout all the years. His children were there cherishing last moments and remembering all the events of last times—his last words, his last prayer, his last witness to the nurse who attended him and—yes, you, his friends and supporters were present. Since the day you had met him and supported him—and became with Bob labourers together with God. YOU WERE THERE!

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IN MEMORY OF BOB HUFFMAN
43 YEARS MISSIONARY SERVICE IN FRANCE
Mrs. Gail Huffman continues to serve in France, working with women's ministries in the church her husband, Bob, founded. In memory of Bob Huffman's passion for reaching the lost, Gail has proposed a memorial fund to assist in distributing Bibles in Europe and Eurasia. By designating your gift to the Bob Huffman Memorial/European Bible Fund #656, Bob's evangelistic vision will be honored.

Monday, May 21, 2012

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

J Steve & Nohemy Sidler -  DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Mark A & Linda Sigstad -  NIGERIA
Larry & Phyllis Simensen -  MILITARY - GERMANY