Luke 5: 10b-11

Jesus said to Simon, “There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women.” They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them nets and all, and followed him.

When I read this scripture, my mind went to my very good friend Larry Pitts. When he heard God call him to work in Honduras, he left “his boats and nets and all” and followed the call.

As I think of Larry and what he has meant to me and to AHMEN’s work in Honduras my mind is flooded with pictures, thoughts, and Larry’s words.

He was not a man of a great many words, but he was a man of commitment and work.

I see him surrounded by children, sitting in villages I have never hear of or will ever visit with his new friends with all of their needs, walking up mountains with concrete blocks and donkeys, sitting smiling in “his warehouse” telling me how lucky he is to be able to do what God has planned for him.

I remember when he first told me he thought God wanted him t go to Honduras. He told me about his medical problems. I reminded him that medical care was not as readily available there as it was in the USA and there was a significant possibility that he could die there, especially as he would go of on his mission work without any support from medical brigades. He responded with a warm smile, a nod of his head, and said: “I know that, Tom, and that’s O.K. if it’s O.K. with God.”

Larry certainly accepted Jesus words “There is nothing to fear” and followed Him.

Thank you Larry for setting an example for all of us.

Jan. 9, 2008