44 Years & Counting!
When I married Ron 44 years ago, we had no idea what God had in mind for us. We returned from a two-week honeymoon to an income of $75 per week, living in a tiny room of a Christian coffeehouse/street ministry where we ministered. The cash flow was slow and the smell of pizza from the restaurant upstairs seemed tormenting at times, but we were happy. Our vision of the future was reaching souls. We sometimes talked about a vision Ron had during prayer where he was preaching to a large group of people somewhere in Africa. I would remember the story my Mom often told of my coming home from a weekly Bible study at a retired missionary’s home to declare I was going to be a missionary when I grew up. I was nine years old when that happened and it seemed impossible. What neither Ron or I understood is that God never wastes His time or efforts. The visions had purpose. They were a whisper to let us know where He would take us.
Today is our Anniversary! In these shared years, we’ve journeyed through so many pioneering ministry experiences while raising our family. It’s been an amazing adventure! Our basic plan has always been the same no matter what we did or where God place us - reach souls for Jesus…mend broken people with the love of Jesus…make disciples who make disciples…hear the cry of the most undiscipled, the next generation; the children. God has stretched us, challenged and changed us, and discipled us through it all. We love Him more than ever before. It makes us so happy to know we can give our remaining years together to continuing the plan as we step into our new assignment, which is the early visions fulfilled. It’s time to focus on the nations and do the plan full-time to equip and strengthen the global church!
How good is God to not only give you a spouse to fully love and be loved by, a best friend and cheerleader for life, BUT to also give you someone to labor alongside in His mission field!? Our story is proof that God has Divine purpose for our lives AND for our relationships. He is always weaving His will into the fabric of our story, making something beautiful that will bring Him glory. These first 44 years have been unbelievable, Ron Ives. I can hardly wait to see what comes next!