Page 5 - March 2025 - Truth & Tidings

some of the assemblies in the country, the meeting with the Christians in the Aca-
first one being Acajutla, where Alan and jutla assembly. He had a real heart for
Diana later spent a good portion of their the elders and spent a lot of time seeking
20 years in El Salvador, laboring in this to strengthen them in the work they were
area and in this assembly. doing. He also had a heart for the young,
After the second trip, Alan began to seeking to impart spiritual truths and
wonder if the Lord was introducing him encouragement to them in their efforts
to something they had been praying for. to serve the Lord. He drove and repaired
Could it be the Lord would have some- many of the buses, some of which he had
thing for him to do in this foreign country? helped to bring down to that country to
He put up many excuses to the Lord as be used for the assembly transport and
to why he was unqualified and unable for Sunday School. Constant repair was
to make a commitment that he knew this needed to keep them safe and road worthy
work would require. Alan had built up a for the transport of the Christians.
very lucrative business in his garage dur- In the summer of 2023, while home in
ing his later working years. He repaired Canada for a short break, Alan contracted
and prefabricated airplanes and thor- a virus which resulted in pneumonia and
oughly enjoyed doing it. He loved fishing
and hunting in the north country of On- a slight stroke. It was a very long stay
tario, flying his own airplane, and being in hospital before he was well enough
to return home. He did recover, but the
a grandfather to five grandchildren. He
also took into consideration his age, lack stroke affected his memory. In spite of
of speaking the Spanish language, and these limitations, they attempted to return
not really liking the heat of El Salvador. to El Salvador in October of that year. In
One Sunday morning while reading in December it became clear that Alan could
John’s Gospel chapter 20, verse 21 arrested not continue, and plans were made to
his attention: “Then said Jesus to them close up the house and return to Canada at
again, Peace be unto you: as my Father the end of December to seek further medi-
hath sent me, even so send I you.” He cal help. With rest and good medical help,
could read no further; it was a call from Alan stabilized, but in August he suffered
God and he knew it required an answer. a bowel obstruction from which he did not
To say “no” would close the door to El recover. On August 20, 2024, at 1:15am,
Salvador; to say “yes” was to place all into Alan heard the call from above and took
the hands of a loving Heavenly Father. his one last journey, passing peacefully
Prayerfully before God, his response was, into the presence of his Lord and Saviour.
“Here am I; send me.” I heard His call, “Come, follow,” that was
Preparations were made for another trip all.
to El Salvador, this time in a pickup truck My earthly gold grew dim; my soul went
loaded with tools he felt he could use in after Him.
the work. In the fall of 2004, Alan, along I rose and followed, that was all.
with Diana, drove down to El Salvador, Who would not follow if they heard Him
but this time with no return date. call? 1
Over the next 20 years Alan labored
mostly in the west end of El Salvador, 1 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882)

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