We gathered in Kampala, Uganda, for the first AIM Central Region conference. There were some who have been colleagues over many years, even decades. But there were many short-termers - young and fresh-faced and full of energy. The pre-conference notes asked us to prepare to share our testimony. Time didn't permit everyone to speak but I had thought out what I would say.

When the world was young, the grass was green at Rethy, the Congo flag was also green, and the now-adult children of some of my colleagues were cute little 3rd graders whom I taught, I was several times a member of the august AIM Zaire Branch Conference Committee. "Why do we only hear from the new missionaries? Why can't we hear from the oldies and goldies and the wrinklies to find out what life was like for them? Surely we can learn from their experience?" So two of the veterans shared their stories and struggles of being missionaries. They weren't much to look at but they had treasures in jars of clay.

So to the younger members of the conference body looking at the oldies: Don't despise them; they may have treasures in jars of clay. They have been places and experienced things that you haven't. You don't know the battles they've had to fight and their struggles in solitary places.

You may on the other hand, gasp with astonishment at the wisdom that falls
from the lips of those who have grown old, and bathe in the glow of the
godliness that exudes from them. (Or maybe not!)

But growing old doesn't imply growing wiser, more godly etc. The predicate adjective may be negative. Unfortunately, we can grow creaky and cranky and crotchety; grungy, grumpy and grouchy; obese, obnoxious, obdurate, obtuse. We can become intolerant of the young but tolerant of our own péchés mignons; ungodly, negative, peevish and bitter.

The game isn't won until all the counters are in the home square on the Ludo board, and to get there we need a daily dose of grace.

Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no-one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God ...teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Blessings, as we press on in the life of grace,