Jeff Adams

Monday and Tuesday found me in Springfield, Missouri speaking to a group of pastors from surrounding states and to students at a Bible College. I had not been on the campus of this particular campus for years, but I was pleased to discover a couple of friends from many years ago, including the college president whom I had last seen in a similar position in Boston. I love being around students and I love to reconnect with old friends.

Another person with whom I reconnected was a man named Jim Smith. No, that’s really his name. His father was also named Jim Smith, and was sent out from our church as a missionary to Mexico in the early 50′s. All of his ten children faithfully serve God.  His namesake ended up ministering for many years in Quito, Ecuador. The amazing Rachel Saint was a member of his church in her later years, and it was my joy to meet her there and enjoy dinner in her home.  When I was last with Jim and his wife Sharon in Quito, his children, Zack and Stacy were still at home. Great kids! Jim is now a mission executive and Sharon also works in the office.

Jim and I exchanged a good Latin abrazo and relished the moment of seeing each other again after so many years. Jim is an upbeat, pleasant man who is very comfortable wearing a smile most of the time. We caught up on a number of life’s details.

Zach is married, has three children and living in Anderson, South Carolina, Jim told me.

His next words were like a surprise kick in the gut.

Zach has stage 4 colon cancer and will probably die in the next few months.

I hurt because my brother was hurting. I stopped and prayed for them right then and there.  Do you every pray when you have no idea what to say?

Then, we walked across the street to Sharon’s office so I could pray over them again without knowing what to say except to commend them to the grace of a loving God.

Zach tells his story on YouTube and it’s pretty powerful.