I never did Latin at school, and the title (‘Time Flies’ or ‘Time Flees’ I’m reliabily tld is more accurate) is about the only  Latin I know (probably spelt wrong!). Unreal how fast this year has gone, so much has happened, so many incredible famous people – and an incredible number of even more wonderful ‘un-famous’ people –  have died this year. Today, the 9th, I’m 5 days away from entering my ‘retirement’ year (14th)…. I never really think about birthdays, and certainly not retirement, but it’s in my mind as I’ve had someone on the phone today bending my ear about my pension – or rather lack of it! It doesn’t trouble me that retirement isn’t an option for me: because I can’t imagine NOT doing what I’ve spent the last 38 years doing, trying my best to serve the Jesus I love, as best I can, the Jesus who’s managed to look after me for those 38 – and the 64 – years of my life….

….and after the last 2 months, in Colombia & France, it’s been absolutely wonderful, if perhaps a little more tiring now than it was 20 years ago! Many missionaries have gone on into their 90s serving God, including the incredible Helen Roseveare, who died this week, aged 91.

For me, the last two years have been incredibly blessed by God, incredibly attacked by the enemy (and sometimes people!): it’s a period where God has increased the level of what it’s been my privilege to see him do. It’s been the toughest, too, for many years, financially and physically. If I were to make a birthday ‘wish list’, it’d be for Jesus to be glorified more through everything I do: for far more anointing than I’ve ever known, increasing daily!: for 100% of people prayed for to be healed: for these knees to be healed  – or better still, supernaturally replaced: and for an increase in finances, so that I can have more to bless the poor that I go to, with…

I’m not planning on retiring in December 2017: I don’t sense that’s God’s plan for me, and my vision is to still be going in 40 years or more time. I’ve not done any personal fundraising this year, as there have been other needs, for people and projects, that are far more important than me…. 2016 has been a year where I’ve lost a few regular supporters, all for good reasons, I’d hasten to add, and it might not seem much to say that ‘another £20 a month’ (£25 with gift aid) has gone: but when it’s a few, the £300 a year EACH becomes £3000 a year very quickly. To lose 15-20% of your income is quite a blow, especially in an era when airfares are increasing massively – and all the extras, like luggage, on-board meals, and so on. I’m in the process of finishing off my newspetter: and there will be a request for help, from any who can manage to support me. I would so appreciate it. It means, too, that I can still take people with me (if I’m still going!!) to see THEM released into a new level of ministry, and a new level of God’s power.

Time flies: it certainly is!