Buddy

The Upper Volta Tennessee Hunger Project was the first of many state partnerships that focused on development and church planting through the Foreign Mission Board (now IMB). Cheryl and I were privileged to lead this project for nearly five years. During those years there were 700 volunteers who all came to serve for a minimum of 30 days. That was one of the most challenging, yet rewarding periods of our lives as we invested in the lives of these volunteers. At times they were a real pain, but it was such a joy to see their worldview changed through their encounters with village people.

There are so many stories that I could share as 55 of those volunteers went on to become long-term missionaries overseas. But, I want you know about my friend Buddy.

 Buddy was a former Marine who had never been married. He was a union welder and struggled with an alcohol problem until he met Jesus. At his church he heard about the request for a welder in Upper Volta. He did not even know where this country was, but he felt that God wanted him to go for a month to this far-away place and serve through his gift of welding.

 Buddy not only welded during his month in the bush of West Africa, but he began to teach some nationals how to weld. Everyone loved Buddy because of his congenial spirit and willingness to do anything to help anyone.

 We had ordered a well-drilling rig and were looking for the right person to lead this project. Buddy was the right person. He returned early the next year to work through the remainder of the dry season (October – May), and then he went back to Tennessee to weld for a few months and returned to Upper Volta to begin a new season of well-drilling with the national team that he had trained.

Buddy continued this pattern of working in West Africa—as an unpaid volunteer—for nine months and going back to Tennessee for three months to weld to pay for the basics of keeping a home in eastern Tennessee. He became a part of our mission family over the next several year.  Our family fell in love with Buddy and our children grew up calling him Uncle Buddy.

Buddy is a quiet man who speaks little unless addressed. He is witty and loves a good laugh. He effortlessly draws people to him because of his gentle demeanor and easygoing spirit. Buddy is one of those friends who would literally give his right arm to help me if he knew I needed his help.

 On Buddy’s 50^th birthday, I was his best man in his wedding. Buddy and his family live in east Tennessee where Buddy raises cattle and stays busy with his wife and son—and he is still engaged in overseas mission projects.

 Buddy is a Proverbs 18:24 type of friend. I am thankful that Buddy has been a part of my life. The world would be a much better place if there were more  Buddys.