AN AMAZING MAN
C.E. Hibbs is an amazing man.  At 65-years-old he rode a 4-wheeler all over La Paz, having no fear of the countless four-way stops that we have nicknamed “four-way scares or four-way dares.” A crop duster for numerous years, he had no fear to get on board a small two-seater float plane to capture a God’s-eye view of the city.  And he also has no fear of intimacy as he participates in a small Men’s Bible Study that is discussing what it means to live as a man of God, a man of faith.  And oh, did I forget to mention that C.E. has a brain tumor, is paralyzed on his right side from a stroke, has difficulty enunciating his words, and can no longer walk?  Yes, he’s amazing!

A MIRACLE AMONG US
Three years ago, C.E. suffered a stroke that led to the discovery of his brain tumor.  The doctors told him he had one year to live.  And that was doubtful.  People diagnosed with his type of cancer usually died in less than a year.  But God had other ideas.  He wasn’t finished with C.E. just quite yet.  C.E. underwent chemo and radiation.  The tumor not only shrunk, it disappeared!  God gave C.E. an extended lease on life.  Three years to be exact.  And we’re still counting.

A FRIEND SINCE 2000
C.E. learned to walk with the assistance of a leg brace and a cane.  He re-outfitted his 4-wheeler so that he could drive with his left hand instead of his right.  He learned to eat with his left hand.  While he had trouble accessing some words and thoughts, he continued to speak without slurring.  And he also didn’t stop coming to La Paz.  He and his wife Frani have been wintering in La Paz since 2000, when we first met them.  In fact, they attended the first Bible study we held in our home that eventually transformed into Crossroads Christian Fellowship, the church we pastor for English-speaking people.  C.E.’s doctor said, “If you want to go to Mexico, I see no reason why you shouldn’t go.”  And not only did he come, C.E. thrived in La Paz.  The warmer climate and the spiritual support of his Christian friends sustained his life.

ONE LAST RIDE, ONE LAST FLIGHT
Over the past several months, C.E. has been declining.  Last month he took his final 4-wheeler ride with his friend Bill.  They strapped him onto the seat and he took one last ride around town.  Shortly before that, two of C.E.’s sons came down to visit.  After church that Sunday, we all went to eat lunch at a beach side restaurant.  Beside the restaurant was a float plane.  Someone brainstormed, “Let’s see if we can get C.E. up in the plane for one last ride.”  Several men talked to the pilot and the arrangements were made.  It took 7 men to orchestrate moving C.E. from his wheelchair, lifting him into the air, maneuvering him to the plane, and jockeying him into position.  But it happened!  And for 30 minutes C.E. got to fly for one last time.  As the plane taxied back across the bay towards the beach, a group of us stood on the beach snapping pictures and waving to him, and C.E. stuck his arm out of the plane, made a fist, and pumped it in the air.  It was one of those moments that you freeze frame in your heart.  By this time all the other people at the restaurant, all the waiters, and even some passers-by on the beach, had gotten pulled into the drama.  Everyone applauded as the plane pulled in; C.E. was beaming.

A BOLD FAITH
Like many of us, C.E. has had a difficult life.  His first marriage ended in divorce.  He has worked hard to rebuild relationship with his adult sons.  And for a long time he struggled to accept love and forgiveness from his God.  But C.E. persevered.  He is truly a phenomenal Christian man.  His faith literally shines from his eyes.  And he relates that since his diagnosis, he has lost his fear to share the Gospel.  God has given him countless opportunities to share his faith in the last three years, and he has not hesitated to let people know that Jesus is his Lord and Savior.  He invites you to do the same.

THE WATERS OF BAPTISM
Perhaps the most incredible event that just happened in C.E.’s life was his baptism.  C.E. was raised Quaker and in that tradition people are not baptized with water.  C.E. decided that this was something he wanted to do before he died.  So on Easter Sunday, with the help of four friends who carried him into the pool, C.E. made a public confession of faith and was baptized.  There were so many tears of joy that morning!  It was like seeing a story from the Bible come to life right before your very eyes.  Baptism takes on a whole new context when you orchestrate it through the efforts of an entire community.

I'M CONTENT
C.E. has decided that he wants to die in La Paz.  This is where his church family is, where he feels most at home.  Recently we were visiting with C.E. and Frani in their La Paz apartment.  We asked him, “C.E., how are you today?”  He replied, “I’m great.  I’m content.”  Frani added, “He’s never been content in his entire life.  But now, he truly is.”  C.E. is gifting our community with light and love as he walks through the valley of the shadow of death.  He is showing us how to die with dignity and honor.  He is modeling what it means to be a righteous man of God.  Soon, God will welcome him home.  And we can imagine C.E. standing on the threshold of heaven, glancing back our way, and with a smile on his face saying, “Don’t cry.  I’ll see you on the other side.  I’ll be waiting.”

Love from La Paz,
Joyce and David