The Story Never Gets Old

Among fruit and freshly baked cookies we sat in my neighbor's apartment with living legends, pioneers of Bible translation, Mr. Alex and Mrs. Lois.

Both went into Wycliffe single, following God's call to work in Bible translation. Mrs. Lois from New Jersey and Mr. Alex from Australia. As we come to learn, Mr. Alex was the third person to come and work in PNG with Bible translation. Mrs. Lois went to jungle camp in Mexico (equivalent to POC) and then headed across the ocean to begin work in PNG. Their paths would divinely cross and they would eventually marry by the river in Ukarumpa.

Together their work in PNG, reaching tribes surrounding Ukarumpa, would span 54 years. Their time completed in the fall of 2010 and now this sweet couple resides here in Waxhaw, settling into "retirement". Bodies unable to keep going like they once did, but hearts still tender and excited about what the Lord is doing in Bible translation.

After listening to some of their story, Mrs. Lois wants to know ours...how did we find ourselves here? I look at Jason and have to smile. Over the course of this last year we've figured out how to tell "our story" in either a Reader's Digest version, full biography mode or somewhere in between. We have listening ears on this particular evening, so we started from the beginning.

As we talk, I can't help but think how many times we've told this story...how God has brought us together and now to this point in our lives. Discussing how in hindsight everything we were going through was in preparation for this exact moment we didn't know, couldn't know was coming. The thought crossed my mind...the re-telling, re-living our life never gets old. If anything it gets me even more excited for what's next. If I can see what all He's done in the past, where He's brought us, then how exciting will the next chapter be?

I look at Mr. Alex and Mrs. Lois as they begin this new chapter of their seasoned lives. Their story isn't done just because they've left the homeland they've loved and known for so long. No, He's still using them. Their passion for reaching the lost, their love for the people of Papua New Guinea evident and on this night, they are encouragement to a family who's story is waiting on the next chapter to begin.