Stan

It’s been a year......

Stan was my Cousin, my Brother in Christ, and my friend. Stan and I go way back.... to the beginning. Stan and I were both born in 1952 and we both were drawn together because of the close family that we were blessed with. Stan told me that his earliest memories of me were at Aunt Alma’s on the porch. He said that I liked getting out in front of everyone to dance and act crazy. Stan said that I grabbed his arm and pulled him out to dance and act crazy in front of the family. My first memories of Stan is of us playing in Aunt Alma’s back yard. I can’t explain it, but I always felt that Stan and I were connected somehow. In our preteens we did things together, but always with the family. I remember a trip to Kentucky were we would walk around the farm and talk and talk. Then there was the gap of many years where I really don’t remember having much contact with Stan. Then one day Stan and Debbie walked into our White Hen Pantry on Sangamon. They just stopped by to say hi and tell us that they were heading to Language school so that they could be missionaries. That was beginning of a 20+ year relationship with Stan and Debbie. Over the years we saw their ministries touch thousands of people. Vicky and I always told Stan and Debbie that we were so grateful that they let us be part of something so wonderful and special. I am not one to talk on the phone, so Stan and my conversations were usually in the minutes not hours, but we both knew what the other was thinking. Our goal was to make sure that Stan and Debbie knew that they could count on us. We wanted to be consistent. I could go on and on, but I wanted to write about things I leaned about Stan.

God comes first.

The mission in the early years was based on establishing churches and training national Pastors in the work.

The mission in the later years was based on establishing a church and training nationals in the work.

Stan and Debbie were a team. He told me several times that he could not have done it without her.

The most important thing about supporting the mission was being consistent.

We (all that supported them) were directly involved in the work of bringing the lost to Christ.
Sometimes it makes more sense to send money than bring a large group down to do work.
He still liked Mel-O-Creme Donuts.

His heart was in Preaching the Word. Stan was very good at teaching God’s Word.

His heart was with the Mexican people. He truly loved them.
He was amazed at the number and generosity of the people that support their mission.
If you don’t have to, don’t go out after dark if you don’t speak Spanish.

Mexican’s are warm and friendly people.

American health care is to expensive.

Mexican health care is good. Stan trusted the Mexican health care.

Don’t take good cars across into Mexico unless you have someone that speaks Spanish with you.

Mexico was the most import United States allies. Good relationships with Mexico was important to our security. More US companies needed to build factories in Mexico.

Stan was a conservative. He believed in traditional values.
He always wanted to live in Mexico.

He was very proud that Mexico was sending out missionaries to other countries.

Sometimes he put his life on the line, but he felt that God was always in control.

Stan was a deep thinker, you could tell from watching Stan that he took it all in and then spoke.
The last couple of times that I spoke with Stan
Stan told me that he was very proud of his kids.
Stan told me that the time he got to spend with the kids was very special, a blessing from God.

Stan told me that the time he got to spend with his sisters was very special.
Stan told me that he was not afraid to die, he was afraid that he would let people down, not being able to finish the work..
Stan told me that God was in control.
Stan told me that Mexico was his home and that is where he always wanted to be.
Stan was concerned about his loved ones salvation. If you read this and have not accepted Jesus as you savor, please take time to ask him into your heart. That was Stan's number one mission.

Stan told me that he loved me... that was special to me.

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Stan’s mission continues and is growing. Stan said that he would continue his mission in Mexico until the day he died, and he did. Generations of Mexicans will talk about Stan Hopwood and how his and Debbie’s mission lead their loved ones to Christ.