It was a day of investing in the lives of people.  Of all the many and varied things we do here at Shiloh, this is my favorite.

It started at breakfast with a young Cameroonian guest.  Some of our best teaching times happens around the table.  Conversation ebbs and flows and before long we are sharing deep truths about our Lord.  This particular discussion centered on the importance of investing our lives for the Kingdom.  We pass this way but once.  There are no make-overs in life.  The sins of yesterday can only be admitted to, confessed, and forsaken.  There is no going back and getting it right.  Even if we live to be 100, life passes very quickly.  Only what's done for eternity will last.   Each day and in every way, we need to live with  eternity in mind.  And we do it all so imperfectly.  But we keep coming back to the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  In His strength alone we move forward.  It's all about Him.  It has exactly nothing to do with me and mine and look how wonderful I am.  We each left the table challenged to make our brief remaining time count for eternity.

Mid afternoon a missionary lady, who has been out here for three years, finally found the time to come and visit us.  She has heard all about us from her employee.  He and his family used to live in one of the small studio apartments right next door to us.  In fact his wife used to sell tomatoes and other vegetables.  It was so utterly convenient to walk to her little stand when we were running low on things.   We knew the husband worked for a mission organization, but we didn't know exactly who, or what he did.  And then two weeks ago Jim had an opportunity to help a lady in distress.  You may recall she was the one who lost the key to her safe.  Now Jim Tucker has added "safe cracking" to his long list of useful skills.  (Which proves that one is never too old to learn new things!)  

We gave her a tour of Shiloh.  She was very curious to learn more about our spiritual retreat center and see it for herself.  And then we settled down in the living room for a good long visit.  Turns out she was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Owns a house not far from one of Jim's brothers.  Has a brother living in close proximity to one of Jim's sisters. Have you ever noticed how, the older we get, the more the world shrinks?    Amazing!  Before long she was sharing some of the ways God had led in her life.  We were inspired by her story, and we were drawn deeper into the wonder of our Lord and Master.  Her brief stint in missions is coming to a close.  She has one last project to tackle before retiring back to her beloved Bay Area.  She's raised two children, buried two husbands, is two years older than me, is involved in the lives of four adult step-children, has multiple grandchildren and step-grands, and her life is all about God.  Here is a woman who is living out all the things we talked about around the breakfast table.  And we were challenged to invest our remaining time in the kingdom.  "Only one life, 'twill soon be past.  Only what's done for Christ will last."

As the day was winding down, a wonderful Cameroonian brother wanted to visit with us.  He was just finishing up a spiritual retreat here at Shiloh.  He does not come very often, but each time he does, we love being around him.  He is such a blessing and an encouragement to us.  Our relationship with him goes way back.  More than twenty years ago when we first met, he was a young many just starting out in life.  Now he is the father of teenagers, he's a pastor, and his life is being lived 100% for the glory of God.   A Cameroonian on fire for the Lord is something to behold.  It's breathtaking.  We learn so much from them.  And from this brother in particular.  He has been under constant, unending attack from the enemy of our souls for the last five years.  Many times we have had the privilege of encouraging him to keep on keeping on 'till Jesus comes.  And many times he has blessed us beyond measure as we watch his steadfast determination to follow the Altogether Lovely One, no matter what.  Our visit ended in a time of prayer for each other.  And we parted ways more determined than ever to make our remaining days count for eternity.  

What a high honor it is to be salt and light out here in this corner of the world.  We wouldn't trade what we do for all the tea in China.  Nothing this world has to offer would ever entice us to do something else.  You can keep the world, just give me Jesus.