Over the New Year holiday, I attended the funeral of my wife’s grandfather. A Godly man, head of a large family, he had been a man of strong faith, gentle (but strong) character, and great professionalism and diligence. I knew him for only a few years, but saw in him the character and gifts that would have made a great pastor and teacher, possibly even a missionary leader, but he had instead lived his life in service of God to his family and his profession in the UK. In the latter, he had risen to the top, and by his retirement over a decade ago, was held in great respect and esteem by all, and his Christian faith was always a matter of public record.

In his family, he brought up his children to know and love the Lord. Three of his children are now church ministers, and several have been involved in mission in the UK and beyond, and almost all are believers, as are their children and grandchildren.

It struck me at a funeral attended not only by nearly sixty immediate family members, but also over a hundred others from his local church and professionals bodies, that one life, simply but faithfully lived for God can have such an immense impact on so many people, often more that we ever realise.

So, I will finish this final edition of HealthServe magazine with a simple thought. Every man and woman who has passed through the MMA’s hostels, received a grant, been on a refresher course, or in some other way been in contact with us, has been a person who has changed lives – through their clinical care, their Christian witness, their every day life. Each one of us can have a huge impact on those around us – we may never know it, but God does, and He can use even the smallest and least significant among us to achieve great things. If nothing else, this simple fact should spur us to live our lives out and out for God.