Say Goodbye, Say Hello

Yesterday morning a friend died. It wasn't a surprise. Bob Bibby was in his late seventies or his early eighties. His lungs were weak, and they finally gave out. So we say goodbye to him, while he has the joy of saying hello to the Lord he served for so many years.

Much of what I understand about the character and work of an Elder I learned from Mr Bibby. His graciousness and gentleness of speech, his humility and the vast amounts of time he lavished on the needy made a lasting impression. Many of us younger men benefited from his counsel. It seemed he always made time for us. He also made hundreds of visits into the jail in Sudbury each year, trying to win the prisoners for Christ. In fact, for many years the jail in Sudbury had no full time chaplin, because Mr Bibby spent so much time meeting the spiritual needs of the prisoners.

He was a welder by trade, and didn't have an extensive education, but he knew the Bible well. He prayed daily for each person in the assembly, by name and with regards to specific needs.

He'll be missed.