Larry Hughes
It would require not a book but a massive encyclopedia to pay tribute to my dear friend and spiritual sharpener over so many years. How his interest was in others more than himself. His capacity to ask penetrating questions. The long philosophical discussions without flippant answers. The joy in being part of God's Kingdom-building work on earth as it is in heaven. The sharing of deep loss and great joy. Three really special kids. A real spiritual gem in Barbara. A life well-lived, finished well, a life of purpose and meaning in Christ Jesus.
I regret one thing: we never took that long-discussed jeep trip from Algiers across the Sahara to northern Nigeria, tea in a Fulani tent, and south to Lagos. I was mostly kidding about that fanciful trip on the many occasions it came up. I'm not so sure he was.
Through tears, I am reminded that not only does Jesus wipe away every tear, He replaces them with the joy of His eternal presence, along with the throng of the nations that Jim impacted for Christ. As I cry tonight, that surety and promise that God Himself has made carries me forward.
Pendleton family, He is more than able to carry you, too, even through the Valley of Baca (Weeping) (Ps 84), where His mercies will spring up even before we reach the destination.
But for now, we cry.
Larry Hughes
