Translate

Thursday, January 8, 2015

A Tribute to Vicki




     A Tribute to Vicki by tim 

We’ve been going together for over four decades and still have lots to do and talk about. Our journey together started in the early 70’s, she as a lovely young adult and I, well... young, but not so adult. The maturity gap continues to this day but it is closing.

When we knew we were to marry it seemed that those would be the most important days of our lives. I remember the love songs, the eight-track tape player, the dates, falling in and out of love, and the muscle cars, as if it was yesterday once more. Now, well into our journeys, it becomes ever clearer that the last chapters of our life together are far more important than the first. What really counts is we finish well.

Vicki has been the single most influential person for good in my life. Her commitment to Christ, truth, and our children has often been challenged by her personal struggles, a husband often too busy ministering to others, sleepless nights, and hours alone before God asking the tough questions that so often I tried to sweep away theologically.

It seems so trite to use the worn out phrase, “I married up,” probably used in some Marriage Manual 101 on how to be a good husband. I don’t know how else to put it, I really did. As Vicki has developed her intense focus on her skills, God-given talents, Spirit-driven gifts, and self-discipline, I believe the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 has some firm competition.

We are long-time missionaries in this developing country exposing people to the Gospel. Occasionally, we go back to the United States to report to our support partners and churches. Two of Vicki’s most pleasant memories are when we were with a church in central New York. Usually missionary men are front and center at mission conferences. At this church, as part of the Sunday program, the missions’ chairman, who had visited us in Brazil, asked Vicki to come to the front by herself where she was publically given the credit she so deserves, along with a lovely red rose. She will never forget that, nor should she.

Health and eating vegetables are an absolute with Vicki, yet unconditionally she lets me be a carnivore. If she ever required me to eat salads, well… I would, and somehow fall back on the biblical teaching that it is better to eat a bowl of vegetables with someone you love than a steak with someone you hate (Proverbs 15:17).

After caring, teaching and guiding our children in our home, Vicki went back to school to finish her college degree and then on to complete her Master’s in Human Services Counseling. Recognition was given her for a 4.0 grade-point average. Today, she continues her studies in counseling and life purpose coaching.

Vicki is soon to launch her new website which will allow her to partner with women and teen girls helping them focus on their life purpose in Christ.

So, there you have it...  a glimpse of my wife Vicki.

______________________________________________________

If  interested in supporting Tim & Vicki Reiner, please contact


Baptist Mid-Missions
P.O. Box 308011
Cleveland, OH 44130-8011 USA
(440)826-3930

Baptist Mid-Missions of Canada
110 Garnet St. North

Regina, SK S4R 3S5
(306)775-2001
______________________________________________________


Creative Commons License