It Is Time

By David Dickson, Latin America Regional Coordinator • BMA Global

Fifty-two years have passed since Shelley and I hopped in the cab of our Chevy pickup and began the journey to Nicaragua as missionaries of the BMAA. Since then, God has permitted us to serve in five different countries as your missionaries, and for the last several years I have been privileged to serve as regional coordinator for Central America and the Caribbean. It has been a marvelous, sometimes bumpy, sometimes thrilling journey. However, I believe the time has come for us to retire as your missionaries effective Dec. 31.

The BMAA made it possible for us to dedicate our lives to what has been our passion since college days — missions. We are so grateful to our churches that, together, made that possible. For someone who loves to talk as much I do, I am truly at a loss for words to express our gratitude for your care, support and prayers through the years. “Thank you” just isn’t sufficient to express how much we appreciate all of you, but I guess it’s all I have. We will sorely miss our “family” that is spread out all over Latin America and the Caribbean. We have learned so much from them over the years. They are folks that are easy to love.

This has not been an easy decision, in fact it has really been a struggle, but I have depended on the godly advice of a “multitude of counselors,” prayer support and finally the deciding factor, the inner direction of the Holy Spirit, and He has said, “It is time.” His time is always right, His will is always perfect and His love for us is beyond understanding. I think I’m in good hands.