A MATCH MADE con't from p. 34 A MATCH MADE continued Bill laughs, “The story goes that I ran a state policeman off the road. He pulled me over, and by the time I was done explaining to him in Spanish what happened, I got a ticket, I couldn’t drive for three months, and it cost me $500.00!” Driving in Spain is hazardous, and it’s miracle that the McClures never crashed. They had a car that they pushed more than they drove. Bill laughs, “We’d have to push it to get it started. One time, my car was broken down and my next door neighbor, a car mechanic, helped me for two hours with the exhaust problems. When I ask what I owe, he says, ‘Nothing.’ So I asked if I could buy him some coffee or something. He said, ‘Sure.’ I order a coffee con leche, the only thing I know how to speak in Spanish, and he orders a drink. Here I am, a Baptist preacher. Am I going to pay for his alcohol? You bet I am. His wine was 25 cents; my coffee was $1.00.” “I’m not a resident, so I can’t buy a car with Spanish plates. Anyway I go to a car dealership and say, ‘I have this much cash to buy a car, what can you sell me?’ The dealer picked out a car, but when he found out that I was an American, he couldn’t get the car plated to me. However, he told me to come back in four hours; when I return he has the title and the plates. Now I’m driving a Spanish car with Spanish plates with an American driver’s license. I had someone tell me I was the most illegal missionary he’d ever met. When you have to obey the Spanish law, military law, and American law, you’re always breaking one of them.” As for the culture, Bill informs, “The Spaniards don’t eat any spicy foods. Most people expect it to be hot, but their food is very bland. They eat a lot of rice and beans. One of our missionary friends invited some ladies over to her house and served popcorn, The Spanish women thought it was delightful. One in particular named Jane asked the missionary how to fix it. The next time she sees Jane, she asks how she liked the popcorn. Jane replied, 'How do you keep it in the pan?'” The McClure Family. Bill & Lois with their three sons Paul, Todd, & Rex. “You see,” Lois tells, “The Spanish keep things very simple; they don’t make recipes like we do here. In America, we put several ingredients into a recipe, but they don’t. They make the same kind of salad each time with lettuce, tomato, onion, olives, and cold asparagus. I learned to like asparagus over there, but they don’t have green, only white asparagus.” “I’ve got a strong stomach,” Bill assures. “But one time I lost it. We were enjoying a meal when I looked over and saw this guy eating a lamb’s head, and in the middle of the lamb’s head was a green salad. My stomach just rolled over.” God watched over them; miracles happened all the time. When the McClures had been in Spain for five years, Bill went to get legal papers stamped and asked if his 16 year old boy needed legal papers. They said, “It’s impossible for him to be in Spain without having his own papers.” Bill tells, “They sent us through a door that locked behind us. After a half an hour, they came back and interrogated me again. I told them the same story. I went through another door, and that door locked. Now we’re in jail. Miraculously the Spanish spy at the base who gave me the passes walked by he asked if there was a problem. I told him, ‘Yes! There is a problem.’ He got us out.” Upon leaving Spain, the family served in Georgia for ten years, Arizona for seven years, and Italy for 3 months. With hopes of ministering longer, Bill and Lois’ stay in Vincenza was cut short due to government regulations. From Italy to Climax, NC, to Cameron, their ministry efforts continue as they minister in the VA hospitals. Working with the military was pioneered through BIMI, and the ex-military pastors who serve understand the military. From the McClure’s years of ministry, there have been at least 7 men called to preach. After serving all over the world, the McClures settled in Cameron. The only explanation is, “God led us. When we were leaving Italy we prayed, ‘Okay, Lord, what do we do now?' We bought a house in Climax, NC, but we work with military, and there were no military bases around. Meanwhile our youngest boy Paul says, ‘Look, Dad, I found a house for you. You can sell your house and pay cash for this house.’ So that’s what we did. Situated in Cameron, we are between two VA hospitals—Durham and Salisbury.” Semi-retired with BIMI, Bill summarizes missionary life, “The Bible says that the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. God truly is a Shepherd if you will let Him lead you. Every Christian needs to know that they’re being led by God whether they’re a missionary or not. God has provided 100% along the way.” Lois agrees, “We’re considered Faith Promise missionaries. All these years, we never know from month to month what our support is going to be. God has never failed us.” From thinking the marriage would never survive, to serving forty-two years with BIMI, and celebrating 50 years of marriage, Bill smiles, “I’ve got a good wife. We’ve never had an argument—as long as she agrees with me. One time my friend said, ‘You folks kill me. You get in an argument, and you keep calling her 'Honey,' and she keeps calling you 'Honey.'” Lois explains, “I found out a long time ago when I did not agree with him that we all have to answer to God. Once we got saved, everything changed. We wanted to do what He wanted us to do and that made all of the difference. God brought us unity.” United in faith, Bill and Lois have different personalities and different hobbies. She doesn’t like to go outside, but he loves the outdoors and can’t stand to be inside. However, the tie that binds is love, and the advice given is, “Find a good woman,” Bill says. “I haven’t always treated her right, but I am trying.” Lois agrees, “That’s true, but I love him. You know, you can take a whole lot more if you love the person. My mother was a good example to me as my parents were married for more than 65 years.” As for children, Bill shares, “Children are like a garden. They need to be protected, and this is why we have laws keeping them from smoking, nudity, alcohol, etc. Parents typically say, ‘This is black; this is white.’ There are absolutes, but when children become teenagers, they realize all of the gray areas, and many children can’t handle the decisions. It’s the parents’ responsibility to teach children how to handle life; I taught my children to be able to stand on their own two feet. Parenting takes a mom and a dad. You can’t have a domineering man raise a child without a sweet, loving wife. Children need both love and discipline.” Neither missionary nor military life is easy, but the McClure sons stuck together. Bill says, “Their playmates were military guys. My children never smoked, drank, cussed, or ran with those who did, but they grew up pretty fast. They might fight amongst themselves, but don’t mess with a brother! Our boys are the joy of my life. They’re all serving God, and we couldn’t ask for anything more. Our oldest, Rex is a song leader, Sunday school teacher, assistant pastor—he does everything and drives 50 miles to attend. He has two boys. Our middle son Todd is a pastor in South Boston, VA. He has done a tremendous job with the church. Paul, our youngest, is a pastor at a local Southern Baptist church. He has three girls and remarried with two boys. With seven grandchildren, Lois smiles, “The oldest is twenty-one; the youngest is nine. The oldest are boys, and the younger ones are girls. It’s been fun having granddaughters!” As for retirement Bill assures, “I’ll never retire. If I can’t do something for God, then there is no use for me to live.” From their match made in heaven to being ready to serve until God calls them home, Bill concludes, ‘When God leads, you need to be mold-able. I’m persuaded that what has happened to us happens to everybody; we’re not unique. Somewhere in all this story, this story could be your story too.” �� A MATCH MADE continued A MATCH MADE con't next column A MATCH MADE con't next column p.36 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. No. 127
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