Randall Murphree

AFA Journal editor

January 2010 – Most AFA friends and constituents are well aware that Dr. Don Wildmon, our founder and chairman, was hospitalized with encephalitis on August 14. More than three months later, the Wildmon family has weathered a storm of no small proportions – a short life-threatening season followed by long, sleepless nights at the hospital and a transfer 200 miles away for physical therapy.

Bro. Don finally was discharged from a local hospital November 20, the Friday before Thanksgiving. Home for the holidays. (Oops, make that home for Thanksgiving and Christmas!)

He continues with a rigorous physical therapy schedule, but I was not at all surprised to look out my office window November 30 to see Don and his wife Lynda driving into his parking space. He spent a couple of hours greeting staff members before leaving for more therapy. What a blessing for all of us – and I’m sure for him as well.

Staff members had already begun compiling a list of “Things Bro. Don Taught Me.” I thought some of these nuggets might give our readers a little broader insight into the kind of man who founded AFA.

▶ If you don’t have anything to say, then don’t.
Dennis Ostrander, AFR/KAYP, Burlington, Idaho

▶ Love the little ones in our lives with reckless abandon.
Cherry Sims, AFR Talk Radio

▶ Hold earthly treasures with an open hand.
Rusty Benson, AFA Journal associate editor

▶ Dispense much grace to others; much has been dispensed to you.
Pat Montague, AFR production director

▶ Time to go home; the work will be here tomorrow.
Deanna Lineberry, AFR reception desk

▶ Don’t forget to turn your calculator off at the end of the day.
Linda Thorn, data processing

▶ God never called me to be successful, just faithful.
Jane Ritchey, AFR/WAWN, Franklin, Pennsylvania

▶ Give people a chance, even when there may be no reason to do so.
Teddy James, AFA Journal staff writer

▶ The goal of life is not happiness but holiness.
Tricia Richardson, Bro. Don’s administrative assistant

▶ Make sure you have the facts right and then tell the truth.
Jim Thorn, AFR/WQST, Forest, Mississippi

▶ Expect the unexpected and deal with it with grace.
Diane O’Neal, AFA director of development

▶ Nursery duty is ministry, not drudgery.
Jody Brown, OneNewsNow online editor

The list could go on for awhile. But these few samples give you a picture of a man whose life is not about work alone. Of course, it is about work. It’s also about children and caring. It’s about goodness and grace. It’s about faith and family. It’s about tenacity and truth. It’s about frugality and freedom.

Bro. Don’s example teaches us a lot, and his life sets the bar high, challenging us to be faithful in the ministry God has given us at AFA. We ask for your prayers as we enter 2010, and we will be praying for you, that you will continue to be salt and light in our needy nation.