While my website may not be the most personal or appropriate place to express my gratitude to you missionaries, it is easy to access, universally available and open to all. Thanks for dropping in.

As you know, I've done my time in world travel, So far I've traveled more than forty years to over forty countries. Most of this travel has been in visiting and working with you missionaries on your fields. Whether it has been speaking at conferences, speaking and teaching MK's in their schools and dorms or talking with mission leadership it's been my privilege and joy.

Whenever I have arrived on your field you have received me warmly and shown me the best of hospitality. May I express my personal appreciation.

When I consider these years and the many trips I've taken, I try and translate the time and expense into affecting the lives of people. This part of my life has been so rich in rewards, not mileage rewards but people rewards. The hundreds of you missionaries and your families that I have met and many cases lived with as well, has proven to me your value on the field. In this time I'm amazed at the thousands of MK's I have been able to meet and speak to. All of you have made me a rich man indeed. Thanks for the respect, response and treatment you have given me. I appreciate so much your letters too.

Indeed I have been in many a mission guesthouse. From India and Africa to Peru and Venezuela and all the guest houses in between. Again your guesthouse hospitality has been commendable. Real hospitality! I will never forget the many missionary friends who have met me at the airport and transported me to their homes or the guesthouse. Receiving me and even returning me to that airport ... often at such terrible hours. How can I ever thank you enough.

A big thanks to you missionary pilots too. Wow, when I think of the many hours that you have flown me over the mountains and jungles landing me safely in narrow strips, wet strips, up-hill strips and even some curved strips. Even adding a few scary moments to spice up my trip a little. Again a big thanks to each of you for shuttling me safely and comfortably from station to station and base to base!

Thanks to you teachers too for the many times you changed your schedules to accommodate me teaching your students at a time and place convenient to me. I'm sure there were many times it was inconvenient for you teachers. Thanks too for holding your homework up a little during the time "Pastor von" was here. (I speak for the students too.)

A great big thanks to you dorm parents for cheerfully changing your schedule to accommodate me speaking to your kids in the night time. I might add that I appreciated being included in your mealtimes. Good food and great fellowship with you and your kids. I hope you understand that I treasure memories of the times I have had with you and "your" kids and become part of your family for the week.

Thanks to you kids too for accepting this old man into your world. Why you even listened to me! It's neat to be loved and appreciated and indeed you have loved me and appreciated me, and better yet you have told me so! Oh yes, you guys pulled your share of practical jokes, some of them the work of true geniuses. Fond memories, right? Thanks again.

In His love, von