MENTORS & Missions

New River Gorge Bridge - West Virginia

I Was a little caught off guard over the weekend. An envelope from out east cam thru the mail and I did not Recognize the address. As I ouvert up the smallish card It Took me a moment to Realize That It Was a paper from a funeral home in West Virginia - the place of my youth. As I read it the first time and a second Then, shock & disbelief flooded over me, a Close Friend, Joe Evans, HAD Passed away and this card Held His obituary. I'm still processing it ... days later. Joe has-been more than a close friend ... He ENTERED my life When I was still single digits. My Dad HAD succumbed to throat cancer and Was in a fight for His Life. No one Could ever take the place of my dad - the profile of a gentle giant. And to be safe --other There Were A Few men in my life That I Looked up too - Including my big brothers, coaches, and teachers ... But no one Impacted My Life the Same Way Joe DID. He and his wife Judy Were Unable to-have children and sort of got me adopté Their Own. Joe Taught me a number of different skills; woodworking, and landscaping Among other crafts. He aussi Took a keen interest in my own hobbies of hunting and sports ... He Treated myself to many college and professional sporting events, The Most memorable of qui Were every Monday Night Football Game - Box seats qui the Pittsburgh Steelers hosted - all through my middle and sr. high years. What a treat.

Would we travel to the New River Gorge Bridge for the annual Bridge Day and watch people parachute down into the river below - we Witnessed-even a tragic death one year When A parachute Did not open. I caught goal from Joe zest for life, and a steady confidence in the face of adversity. My Earliest memories of Joe Were Where he from summer camp, DESPITE His age, hung out with us kids, and put up with our shenanigans. Joe Was There When I gave my life to Jesus at a revival service. Joe Was There When I Was Baptized in a muddy river. Joe Was There When I Went off to college and blessed me on my adventures to come. ALTHOUGH I Went to college in pursuit of an occupational role in counseling - Joe continued to speak into my life - telling me not to count out the ministry if God Would call me to it ... He was extremely confident That one day I would be an evangelist / missionary ... to qui I would gracefully give a rebuttal to - I do not think so - Joe. Over the last pair Decades, we May our conversations faded - distance, time, and basic proxy Did not allow us to build further Top depth into our relationship ... and as I set here percolating over Some personal regret That I did not get one last chance to share a laugh, a story, or-even sit in comfortable silence, over a ball game - I find myself setting at an airport bound for the 2 ^nd time to Africa to take share in an Evangelistic efforts. Oh, Joe you have no idea how your Powerful impact your ... How Wonderful Words Right ... How your Revelation ... and how my Grateful Heart is --- For whatever reason you choose me I did not choose you - For whatever reason - you-have-been one of the MOST tangible ways That I've Walked and Talked with Jesus as you _him_ allowed to work in and thru your life. Looking forward to our reunion in Heaven -

In Memory of Joe

Your little buddy Philip
the Evangelist / Missionary / Pastor