Ah, the joys of having an older brother, especially one who is five years older. There was just enough age difference to ensure that it was not cool for me to be a part of his friend’s secret hideout or their meetings. Well my persistence in pushing the matter got me tied up and gagged one day to the gas tank in the back yard. Unfortunately for me, but a pure delight to their group, there was the large ant hill next to the gas tank. Just the right amount of Coke was poured on my legs and shoes with a trail to the mound to ensure the ants would not have any trouble finding the fresh meat! Several hours later Mom located me but it was a bit late for my legs. While she did spank him, he and his friends could not help but laugh for days and days and days whenever they saw me.

The five years between Jim and me never allowed us much of a chance to be buddies as we grew up. He was in the Army before I was a teenager and then off to work for multiple governmental agencies in hot spots across the globe. When I got a phone call from him in 1976, after his last mission, we finally became the friends I had always wanted us to be. He lived in Canada where he found refuge and rest from all the years of war. It had taken a deep toll on him and I could hear it and see it in every aspect of his being. I think he just wanted to have a normal life at that point but I am not sure that he ever really realized that. Over the years we talked weekly and saw each other regularly, but there were gaps I could never fill in and I’m not really sure he wanted me to.

I will never forget him as an older brother or his commitment to the safety of our nation, but I will also remember him most for his part in helping me establish the ministry God called me to. Jim studied under Korean masters while he was living there. His Master Instructor’s appointment was the authority we needed to establish World Taekwondo Federation membership and Kukkiwon status. His credentials provided a network and established our school’s ability to grow and flourish as well as compete on an international level. To the black belts he tested, he remained an enigma, but they loved him because he made them earn their appointments as black belts. They respected him because they knew he had their best interest at heart and that below the rough exterior was a heart of love.

My brother lived and died as a warrior. He was what he was — no more, no less. I learned to love him and accept him for his uniqueness as I’m sure he learned to accept his little brother. While he is not here to see what God has done with our humble beginnings, I know he knows. God took something that was a lifestyle with him, coupled my love of the sport, and made it into a ministry of service, a ministry of love that reaches out to those who want it today. I am grateful for my brother’s life and his contributions to God’s Kingdom. It is always amazing to see what God can do with what He has given us if we will just offer it back to Him.

Love, Dad