Mission Meal

Last night the Reeds played host to several friends and who had common links to missions and to textual criticism. Carroll Osburn was in town, who, many years ago did some translation and mission support work with Ralph and Susie McCluggage. Aaron and Sharon Zee joined us and much of the conversation was focused on the incredible needs that exist in Africa. Bad water, economic downturns, and perhaps, most significantly, AIDS ravages much of the continent. Alex was over as well; so a few random engagements occurred on Eusebius or other noted early church fathers.

Carroll is always energized and, even in retirement, is busy with many projects. It was good to see him again, though I am reminded of him every time I see my old two-volume copy of the Septuagint sitting on my shelf. I will never forget showing up at his office in the mansion at Harding for an oral final examination in the Greek New Testament. Nervously, I came into his large office with my Greek NT in my hands. I sat down at a table and he said, "put that away, Carson." Let's see what you can do with the Septuagint. With that he pulled a copy of the Septuagint over and opened up to some random place and said, "start reading!"

All in all, I enjoyed listening to Aaron and Ralph talk about Zambia last night. That way Carroll never got around to calling on me to read again!