The Measure of a Man
by Carolyn Anderson,
Coordinator of CBFF |
past articles |
 John
Smith died on April 23rd after having lived a full and
blessed life. He and his wife Christine won our hearts
in the early days of rebuilding after the devastation
of Hurricane Andrew in 1992. They first came as construction
volunteers to work for a couple of weeks. They ended
up spending seven years being the presence of Christ
to the least among us in Homestead and Florida City.
John took all of the state exams required to serve
as the contractor for building the Open House Ministry
Center. His work crew changed almost daily, since the
building was built by volunteers; but Christine remained
his number one worker. In her spare time, she developed
a ministry of caring for the migrant families in the
area, loading up donated food and delivering it to those
without enough to meet their needs.
Those who did any construction work with the Smiths
will remember John’s bright yellow “measuring
tape” suspenders. You will also remember that
John required every job be done right, no matter how
insignificant you might have thought the job was. I
think perhaps for John, it was his way of being accountable
for his life and witness.
John and Christine responded to God’s call after
a career and children. At an age when most people are
ready to sit down, they rolled up their sleeves and
began working in Homestead because they saw the hurts
and needs of a forgotten community through the eyes
of Christ. They were being the presence of Christ by
meeting basic human needs and sharing the love of Christ.
In 1995, they were commissioned as missionaries with
the CBF. Prior to Homestead, they served in Tanzania,
where John did construction and Christine worked as
a nurse.
Thanks be to God for John who willingly continued to
live out his call all the days of his life. That truly
is a Godly measure of a man.
We will all miss John, and each of us who has known
him and worked with him will cherish memories of him.
Our prayers are with Christine and the family.
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