Don Sanford’s impact around world

Missionary Society Executive Kirk Looper just forwarded me a fax. The headline got my attention: “Memorial Service for the late Rev. Don A. Sanford.” Peering at the fine print of the letterhead really got my attention. It was from Sierra Leone, Africa.

Apparently, our “national treasure” was truly international. Don’s work as a writer and Seventh Day Baptist historian touched many.

In part, from the fax (trying to keep much of the original flavor):
There was a combined service held at the Good News Seventh Day Baptist Church, Wellington, Freetown [Sierra Leone]. During this combined service, our pastors in all our churches in the Conference, and two elders from each church including all youth leaders, came down to Freetown… on Sabbath the 28th of March 2009, as it was a memorial service for the late Rev. Don A. Sanford.

Preacher for the service was the President, Pastor Francis Edward Mattia. The open hymn was “When Peace Like a River,” the scripture selections from John 11:25-26 and 2 Cor. 1:3-4, and the reading was done by Pastor Emmanuel Gbondo from the Prince Emmanuel SDB Church in Bo.

As the late Rev. Don A. Sanford was not known in person by the Conference… a story of the life of the late Rev. Sanford was given by the President by bringing before the assembly a few essential facts regarding the deceased, spoken in high appreciation of the sterling qualities of character exemplified. The President tried for the Conference to really understand the kind of servant of the Gospel that has gone to rest with the Lord.
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Thank you, Kirk, for sending the fax.
Thank You, Lord, for sending us Don.