For many years, Paul and Audrey Reid faithfully served with CEF of Spain, pouring their lives into reaching children with the Gospel. Though Paul has since gone home to be with the Lord, and Audrey is now “retired” (at least officially), her heart for ministry continues. She still gives her time and skills to translation and other support, living out the truth that there is no retirement from serving Christ. There is always something we can do or that He can do through us.

Audrey has shared the following story from her book, written about her journey alongside Paul through the challenges of Alzheimer’s. It’s a story that captures both the heartache of loss and the beauty of God’s faithfulness.

Audrey recalled:

“On the 4th of July I got to church for the first time in 16 months. First, we had the lockdown because of COVID, and then after that I couldn’t leave Paul, and he was too weak to attempt to go. That Sunday I was able to go because Paul’s brother Austin was here and he stayed with Paul. During the half hour of worship, I cried the whole time, hidden by the mask we still had to wear. I was thinking that Paul might never again be able to go to church. (I was right.) But then the Lord gave me a wonderful surprise! It was a baptismal service, and one of those baptised was a young man of eighteen.

In his testimony, he shared that he had attended a Good News Club in our home and that I had led him to the Lord at the age of eight! I had lost track of him in his teens when he drifted spiritually, but he had recently come back to the Lord. He said he was especially glad to see me at the service, and I was especially glad to see him!”

What a reminder that the seeds sown in faith, often in ordinary, unseen moments can bear fruit many years later. Audrey may not have known where that young man’s journey had taken him, but the Lord had been at work all along.

This story is just one of many from Audrey’s life and ministry. If you’d like to read more, Audrey has written a book sharing some of her experiences, especially her journey with Paul through his illness. If you would like a copy, please contact us and we’ll gladly put you in touch with her. (Contact)

Even in her so-called retirement, Audrey continues to inspire us: a faithful servant whose quiet perseverance points us back to the God who never forgets the work done in His name.

-Audrey Reid, retired worker, CEF of Spain

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