by Mary Ray

Andrew is one of the forty–five beautiful children who gathered with his missionary parents for the BIMI African Field Conference in Uganda. He has blond hair, hazel eyes and a smile that melts the heart. For some reason Andrew decided that I was going to be his best friend at the conference. He often sat beside me, and he brought me flowers that he had picked from the hotel garden (I didn’t tell his parents).

One day as he snuggled up close to me, I put my arm around him and said, “You are a sweetie.” He looked up at me with a hint of sadness in his eyes and said, “Could it be sweetheart, because that’s what my Grandma calls me?”

Several times during the conference I had thanked the Lord for the dedication and sacrifice of the African missionaries. Their lives in Africa are not easy. They have given up many comforts of life for the sake of the Gospel. They are far from mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers.

I was well aware of the sacrifices of the missionaries, but when Andrew said, “Could it be sweetheart, because that’s what my Grandma calls me,” I thought of the sacrifice that the missionaries’ parents also make. They say good–by to their children and grandchildren. Some have grandchildren who are on the mission field whom they have never seen or had the privilege of holding. To all these dear parents and grandparents we say, “Thank You for your sacrifice.”

“I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light.” –John Keith Falconer, a life-long missionary to Africa

African Field Conference in Uganda
Director: Dr. Ron Bragg
Assistant Director: Rev. Eric Bohman
Speakers: Dr. and Mrs. James Ray, Dr. Greg Baker, Pastor. Bob Morgan