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The
Quiet Man
He was a
quiet man; I think that's why I first noticed him.
Reserved people intrigue me because the waters of
their lives tend to run deep. Keith Coggin did not
disappoint me.
Initially the waters appear calm. On any typical day
one might find Keith in jeans, casual knock-around
shirt, and a work cap. A simple appearance depicts his
approach to life and his place in it. He tells a no-nonsense story about growing up. Although Keith’s
father was a minister, Coggin didn’t personally
respond to Jesus Christ until the age of 35.
"When I became a Christian the change was
evident, but I grew content over the years to sit in a
pew and listen. No personal involvement." He
looks off in the distance, remembering how things
changed. Slowly Keith reached out by serving on
mission teams, while continuing to work in a power
generating plant.
"My wife Lisa had wanted to live in Africa, even
wanted to go to the mission field full time, but I
wasn't there. I traveled with her to Uganda, Africa in
1998 and saw first hand the conditions but still did
not sense the call. We became good friends and
supporters of the missionaries and children from the
Good Shepherd’s Fold Orphanage. They became a big
part of our lives." Coggin smiles, recollecting
how God carefully set the stage for drastic changes.
"We housed missionaries Bonnie Sue and Wayne
Walker from the Good Shepherd's Fold for three weeks
in 2001 while they were on furlough. During those days
I began to seriously assess the comfort zone in which
I lived. Where was I going? Was I affecting anyone?”Over
the next few weeks, Keith drove around the plant and
pondered the vast number of people working there. One
man, he recalls, had retired and died in his sleep the
following night.
He thought about his own years ahead at the facility.
He had lived a quiet life before these men, witnessing
and praying when opportunities arose. If he stayed was
there more to do?
Keith Coggin reached the conclusion that his work in
the plant was finished. God made it plain that new
ventures lay ahead. “In the middle of decision
making, I was reminded of a story. The disciples were
in a boat doing what they normally did, and a storm
came up. These men experienced fear in the brewing
storm. Then they saw Jesus walk on water. During the
fourth watch-- the toughest time, the darkest
hour--Jesus called, ‘Don’t be afraid. Come.' Peter
looked around. Despite the storm, he got out of the
boat. He did not remain in the safe zone of the
boat."
"Peter was willing to get out of the boat and go
where Jesus walked. If I jump into unknown, stormy
water, I might go under, but the One Who called me to
jump will be there to pull me up.” Keith, Lisa and
Nik Coggin leave on July 1, 2002 as full time
missionaries to the orphans of Uganda. They will
disciple the older young people as well as help them
gain job skills to impact the Ugandan culture for
Christ. Coggin will personally oversee the maintenance
of grounds and equipment for the Good Shepherd’s
Fold complex. Keith Coggin--the quiet man with a new
home and a God-sized job.
©
2002 Diane H. Pitts
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