01/04/2021
April 1, 2021 was a historic day for CLM. On this day 40 years ago, young missionary Mary Gibson arrived in Brazil to begin her ministry with the children living on the CLM farm.
Mary has also opted to retire from her CLM duties at this time. We would normally throw a huge party for such an occasion, especially since she loves celebrations so much! However, Brazil is currently at the peak of the pandemic with hospitals overloaded, and local regulations prohibit any such gatherings. So, we had to think of other strategies to celebrate all the contributions she's made over the years.
In the morning, we had a special service in her honor with just the CLM children and staff in attendance. We had a video made with pictures of her time at CLM. Mary was presented with flowers and a plaque, and a bench will remain on the CLM property with her name on it. The plaque above it contains the words to her favorite song in Portuguese:
In the stars His handiwork I see
On the winds He speaks of majesty
Though He ruleth over land and sea
What is that to me
I will celebrate nativity
For it has its place in history
Sure He came to set His people free
What is that to me?
Till one day I met Him face to face
And I sought the wonder of His grace
Then I knew that He was more than
Just a God who didn't care
That lived away up there, and
Now He walks beside me day by day
Ever watching o'er me lest I stray
Helping me to find that narrow way
He's everything to me
