We said goodbye to a friend recently . . . a very special man. He was actually more than a friend . . . we called him "Paw Paw." We first met him as the dad of one of our AIM workers (Sis. Angie, his only daughter). He loved God, souls, and wanted to help anyway he possibly could, so . . . he retired early from his job with an oil company in Lousiana, sold his house, and came to Ghana with his wife.
They took care of all things construction/building about the Bible school there, and our girls were 4 and 7 years old when they came. By the time Candra had her 5th birthday, she was convinced Paw Paw could make anything . . . even a new pair of red shoes (she wore red shoes at his funeral, by the way)!
While in Ghana, the church folks were sure Paw Paw was the new Superintendent they were meeting . . . he looked so experienced and wise . . . sitting beside that young 35 year-old man they called "Kofi Abrantee Poitras" ("young man" in the TWI dialect).
Paw Paw had difficulty understanding the workers who helped with the building, especially when they would throw in a TWI phrase . . . like AYEKOO . . . which means "Well done." Paw Paw thought they were asking "Are you cold?" and answered an emphatic, "NO, are you?"
In September 1996, Paw Paw & Mere Mere took care of the girls and sent us off on an anniversary celebration. It was during that weekend that Portable Bible Schools was born . . . lessons written from the book of ACTS by my husband for training folks outside the capital city, and those interested in learning more about the work of God.
When Paw Paw left Ghana, he wanted to continue helping, so he took care of all these books in the US, and handled shipping and distribution for us . . . for 13 years.
During this past term in Ghana, we learned that Paw Paw had been diagnosed with cancer. When we heard of God's healing (an answer to plenty folk's prayer) we rejoiced!
When Jim and I traveled to the US for my mother's funeral (May 2007), who should come (all the way to Alabama from Louisiana) but Paw Paw & Mere Mere . . . always such special friends.
As deputation began, we looked for a chance to visit these special folks at their beautiful home on Lake Caddo. We always had such a great time with them . . . Mere Mere's good cooking, Paw Paw's great hair cuts, and the games we played . . . after all the discussions and trips down memory lane. It was like coming home . . . to a place you knew you were welcome and loved.
This time, we also knew Paw Paw was suffering . . . in constant pain, and having difficulty breathing. Our visit was extended (by lack of services scheduled) and we appreciated every minute of time with Paw Paw & Mere Mere. Once again, he built something in our van to make luggage carrying easier . . . always doing his best for his "family."
Just after we left their house, we received word that Paw Paw was in the hospital. Thus began the long journey through sickness and pain, to the final destination of our special friend, Milton Rhoads.
We were able to visit him in the hospital one time, then deputation took us far west, and all the way to Alaska. During that time, Paw Paw spent many days in severe pain and sickness, surviving through prayer and praise.
Everyone was thankful when he was well enough to celebrate his 50th anniversary with his beautiful bride, Sis. Ella Rhoads. She married him when she was 14 years old, and they had such a wonderful life of serving God and raising four precious children together.
On Tuesday morning, July 21, Paw Paw (Bro. Milton Rhoads) went to be with Jesus. He was ready to go, and we rejoice that he is no longer suffering. Our family was blessed to be able to attend his funeral and participate in the appreciation for the life of such a godly man.
My husband was asked to read the obituary and make comments. He shared a number of stories, and summed up the whole service with this statement, "If you never owned a Bible, or read anything from God's Word, you could follow the life of Milton Rhoads, and make it all the way to heaven." What a testimony!
We have been blessed to know him for all these years, and we praise God for such a great man . . . who's gone before us. One day . . . we will rejoice again, dancing around the throne . . . with friends and family who proved YOU CAN MAKE IT!!!
