Turning 50

On October 19, 1960, in West Plains, MO, Darlene Mathis McAnally and Leo Dean McAnally, both Missouri natives, brought into this world a round, bald-headed (but very handsome) baby and named him Marty. On October 19, 2010, Marty (me) celebrated 50 years of life and many years of adventure in the Lord. As often happens the date fell during a time of ministry travels in the jungle. How did I spend my birthday this time? 

We had been in the Ashéninka community of Carachama (Kah-rah-CHAH-mah) for several days teaching God's Word and helping the Christians there to clear the ground around their newly constructed church building. October 19 was the set date to move from Carachama to the community of El Milagro (The Miracle). Before we left Carachama, we joined the believers in a worship service followed by a fellowship meal. Afterward we loaded the boat and pushed off for the short trip to El Milagro. 

Turning 50 I have pondered the question of how much longer I can keep boating, hiking, and carrying to get to jungle communities. I wake up in the night many times and moan with my back pained from sleeping on a thin mat under a mosquito net and I wonder how many more nights I can do that. I have even called out to the Lord to just yank us out and send us to a place where I can forevermore sleep on a thick mattress under a ceiling fan and step from the bed onto a nice soft rug. 

I am becoming more and more dependent on younger people to carry my loads. Many things I no longer attempt because I figure that if I hurt myself I'll be no good to anyone and besides that it's a very long way to medical care. After El Milagro we journeyed to Tres Islas (Three Islands) community where I did attempt to carry the outboard motor up from the river on my shoulders. It's only a 15 HP motor so it weighs only about 80 lbs. and should be no problem. I found my legs to have plenty of strength, but poising it on my shoulder as I marched up the sandy trail toward the hut caused my lower back to strain and I had to pass it off to Quilmer to finish the chore. 

The casual onlooker would never know, perhaps, about these compromises in the amount of physical exertion that I do, but I'm aware. A part of the humiliation is having younger missionaries and Ashéninka friends "look out" for me. But there are some benefits to all this as well, not the least of which is fewer back aches. I'm reminded of my own limitations and my utter dependence on the Lord to do this work. It also reminds me that what is most important in this jungle ministry is not who carries the motor or the firewood, but whether God is glorified in everything we do, be it physical work or spiritual ministry. And for every fruit He gives, to God be all the glory!