63 YEARS OF RICH, MARRIED LIFE; SHARED WITH OUR CHILDREN.

This morning I presented a card to my dear Gwenda, on which I had scrawled: ‘My beloved. The 63^rd anniversary of our wedding day 21 March 1942 until 2005:

In remembrance of God’s gift of our seven children, with Philip Mark in glory.

I thank our dear Heavenly Father for a blessed home life and a loving, soul-mate.

I rejoice in your faithfulness during the trying, separation years of the World War 11; and your daily writing to me (without fail) during the years outside of Australia.

Your day by day faithfulness during the six long years of medicine and internship.

Your marvellous adjustment, living in Bajang, our village home in Java: your home schooling our children, preparing them for scholarship on our return to Australia.

And the Miracle of Bajang, teaching the Word of God, piano-accordion playing great hymns to our home-spun bible class.

Your help in our medical practice for 27 years. You were my out-of-hours secretary.

The bible class joyfully invaded our sitting room for nearly a decade. You cared for all our children.

Your association with OCF Overseas Christian Fellowship: being parents at annual conferences. Opening our home to many for advice, engagement parties, marriage preparation. Parenting national conventions. 40^th celebration at Melacca, Malaysia.

CWCI Christian woman’s conventions occupied your attention for ¼ century.

KYB Know Your bible answered your concern for bible teaching. Our children assembled the books on the floor. Many of our state acknowledge your pioneering.

When Southern Christian Fellowship was launched. 40 years ago, you encouraged me immensely. Many were won for Christ. While all our children participated, John guided the youth work. Many of the world’s finest teachers and missionary leaders contributed. Your hospitality facilitated their enriching, home visits.

In 1959, Billy Graham challenged us to call a home prayer meeting, You responded with a women’s bible study and prayer group, blessing many women, enriching our home, and ceasing only on medical advice. I also commenced an early morning bible and prayer season, touching leaders and missionaries, and continuing until today.

Gwenda, You graciously maintained our busy home life, while I was ‘on deck.’

You encouraged and accompanied me to Slavic, Vietnamese, Greek and Chinese bible studies, patiently enduring the interpretation as well as some English services.

You helped our dear children prepare for their weddings, with the incomparable delight of giving our five beautiful daughters and our son in Christian marriage.

And now we enjoy the ongoing blessing of several weddings in the next generation,

And the unspeakable joy of the succeeding generation of great grand children.

Your family articles and childrens’ stories, especially the poems, have enriched the web site, elevating it with my Bible studies to God‘s glory. Many mothers and grandmothers have gathered beloved children to enjoy your contribution.

Only the Lord knows your urgent, compulsive morning prayer: repeated after each meal; as you hold the entire family to your bosom and lift them to the throne of the Lord; until you are translated to glory. My distinguished, godly, and beloved wife.

Gwenda, thank you in the precious name of our Lord Jesus. Your Beloved husband.

Our heavenly Father showered unanticipated delights on us on this day.

Kusmiati, the girl from Wlingi in 1957, sent an urgent express card from Jakarta praying a Blessed Easter for us. From her former, unprivileged position, she has mothered their 5 university graduates, who love the Lord Jesus. She is a Lydia.

John E-mailed from Kigale, Rwanda, pleading with us for prayer for his ministry of reconciliation.

Ruth and Mac’s son, Ian, from Texas USA sent a photograph of his standing with the choir master of Crystal Cathedral during a week of seminary training.

Judith encouraged us after visiting Melbourne to meet Franklin Graham and hear of blessing on the Shoe box ministry in needy countries. She shared her father’s tribute of a beloved one with each of her children; as ‘part of our family heritage,’

Miriam gave her Mother a summary of God’s blessing, poured out on the 800 plus women at the CWCI , so dear to her Mother’s heart. Rejoiced to hear of the day.

Priscilla rejoiced to hear of the Father’s sustained blessing poured out on us.

Elisabeth sent from Northern Ireland an E-mail photograph of her grand daughter; (our Great Granddaughter), while expressing her pure delight at the tribute, paid to her mother.

Unanticipated encouragement during a quiet lunch at a restaurant.

Nelson Garwood/wife MMM Strathalbyn I had taught pre-war in Sunday school. He is now the Australian director. His mother a blessing to me as a young man in a country town.

Peter Jarrett /wife. Reminded us that, as West Coast visitors, they came to our study group each Lord’s Day. Thanked us for blessing: for Studies 1957-66.

They were followed by the daughter of the saintly Mrs Jarrett. She told how the Lord met her deep longings, satisfying her hunger for Word of God.