My Dearest David, Wow! 50 years!! Where does one even begin to put into words what you mean to us, the impact you have had on so many lives, and the wisdom and insight you continually readily share with those who need it? Well we thought it would start today, to mark 50 fantastic years of you!! And although it may not completely get translated onto the pages that follow we hope you can see beyond it to our hearts of love and thanks to you and for you! Over the last while, we have done a little world tour and time travelling to attempt to get some voices from each decade of your global life! Some of our fondest memories, cute photos, and thoughts on what we appreciate about you, what we've learned and what we want you to know today as you mark this occasion are what follows. We hope you enjoy the ride... I'll start...

I am so thankful you chose me at that crucial half way mark 25 years ago to join you on this amazing adventure that has been your life! Who would have thought it would take you to yet another several countries and include three such beautiful daughters? I am not sure where I would be today without your unconditional love continually drawing me deeper to God's love, your patience, wisdom, and insight that create such a safe place to grow and go when need be, and your amazing sense of humour that never ceases to make me giggle or groan depending on the day ;) I have learned so much from you about being in the Lord's presence everyday and to keep Him at the forefront of all our conversations and interactions because you are always looking for what God is up to beyond what is in the physical reality. I love your faith, your sensitivity , your passion, and your excitement and enthusiasm for all the things God does or is about to do. As well as your loyalty and steadfastness even when it's not so exciting! You sure have aged fine my dear and I am so proud to be your wife and be with the best dad in the world to our 3 girls! And I am sure you will be the best father in law in the world too, helping to love and lead our future son in laws (and grandkids)into all that God intends for them to be too. There is so much more ahead and I am so glad we are in this together for the long haul wherever however He continues to lead! I love you!

Happiest first celebration of our 50th years - next one -Hawaii here we come!

Australia

Message from Auntie Maria – maybe no message. MAKE IT WORK

England

Our family are profoundly grateful for David's friendship over these many decades. I (Kathy) can claim to have known him before the rest of my family. David was one of the first friends I made after arriving in the UK from the USA in 1987. What struck me first about David was the sincerity of his faith in Christ. The pursuit of God was his primary goal. Everyone around our youth group at the time looked up to David as "the spiritual one" and even when he was living in Germany or in China, people would talk about him as someone who was utterly committed to God. Continued on next page..

England

Now some may think that this focused approach to faith might make someone a bit sober or serious, lacking humour and lightness. Well, they'd be wrong in David's case. David took it upon himself to inform me about life in England. As a very trusting young teenager, maybe even slightly gullible, David relished the chance to pull jokes on me at every opportunity. Whilst giving me a tour of Stockton-on-Tees, he asked me if I had heard of the IRA terrorist, Bill Posters. Quite terrified at the stories he then told me about this criminal, he showed me all of the signs around the town stating "Bill Posters Will Be Prosecuted". I, of course, proceeded to tell others about this and couldn't figure out why everyone was laughing. Or there was the time when he invited all of the youth group around to his house. When I asked where the restroom was, he said there was no indoor plumbing in his house yet and so I would need to wander down to the bottom of his garden to that little wooden hut where I would find the bathroom. Not wanting to seem shocked at how primitive I thought this was, I went out the back door politely and down the garden path. When I turned around, a little crowd of the youth group were peeking through the kitchen window having a giggle. There were many other little tales, like how the haggis was a small mammal from the Highlands of Scotland with a short front paw so that it could be level when it was facing uphill as it liked to do. These were all done in good fun and actually helped to lighten my early months of transition to the UK. After David and Sandra married and Simon and I married, the Lord allowed our paths to cross again and in David and Sandra, we found lifelong friends. One thing we appreciate about David is the way he does everything out of great love for God and great love for others. His love for his wife and children is demonstrated in his prayers for them and with them, his faith-filled hope for God's plan for their lives, his interest in each one and how they tick and his fun and affectionate interactions with them. Of course, we know he cares this way for his friends as well. We have shared some of the most wonderful and most challenging moments of our lives with David and Sandra and have been assured of these prayers and have been pointed to trust in God. Our children's "happy place" when they were younger were our visits with the Catterick family. Our daughters thrilled at the nightly "Esmerelda the Chicken" stories David would make up on the spot. Even though God's plans have meant we are an ocean (and half a continent) away, we still count you as some of our dearest friends. We pray every blessing upon you for your birthday and hope that the Lord grants us more time together in the future. With all our love, Simon, Kathy Amy and Beth

Picture of Dad and Brad

China

One thing I appreciate about David is his honesty in life and service - he will tell you as it is, no sugar coating involved (proper Englishman, could almost be an Estonian) but he also inspires, motivates and equips you to his best ability to help you make it and set you on your way Something I learned from David is that you can be in a mission field without being in the mud hut or a middle of the jungle with unknown tribe! " .... And hissy fits over an onion in the supermarket are not worth it! Still makes me smile. One thing I really want him to know today is that he is a total inspiration to young and old from every walk of life and from every tribe and tongue - never met anyone who is more dedicated to taking a Gospel all around the world! People wanting to know what "Heart for nations and missions" means need to spend few hours with him and they will know. Please write a book about your journey and battles and experiences along the way ... Pretty please! There is wisdom in you David, that has been granted from God and it needs to be tapped in by many more. Have a fantastic birthday and many more amazing years to come! God willing we will see you all soon again. Much love from all the Hobsons in Dundee. We miss you!

Scotland

Pictures of scotland

Happy Birthday David Happy 50th! Enjoy your day! Enjoy your beautiful family! I thank God you are the one that shares your life with my daughter Sandra and my beautiful granddaughters Sarah Sophie and Esther. They love you so much and I love you very much also. Memere Jeannine

Canada

Happy 50th birthday David! When we think of you David we think of a man of integrity, a man of high moral standards. We appreciate your wisdom and insight and have befitted personally from these. You have opened your home, fridge, and time to our family. We want to especially thank you for loving our Sammy. From the first day we arrived at your house I remember you lying down on your front room carpet playing with him. And this was to be the start of your and Sam's many play times together. Thank you for defending us and explaining our crazy British ways to Caronport. Thank you for making me endless cups of boiled water and sharing your amazing wife when I'm a blubbering mess.......and for all the British goodies. Much love Barry, Helen, Reuben, Abi and Sam x

Crista and our family Crista and our family

Crista and our family

From 2009–2013 I watched you walk through some very challenging times. So often the future seemed to hang by such a slender thread. But as I watched the tensile of that thread be tested time and again, I came to realize that it was a thread of steel firmly welded to the Throne of Grace and woven of many strands—faith, integrity, surrender, determination, loyalty, prophetic vision, and prayer. You have been a strong example of perseverance and of laying hold of God’s best through patient, persistent, prayerful progress. You refuse to settle for what is easy, what is considered humanly possible, and even what is good when it takes you away from God’s best. Although you appreciate good ideas, your eyes are always scanning the horizon for “God ideas.” And you’re never afraid to invest in any venture that has God’s fingerprints clearly on it. My prayer for you is that God’s grace, already so evident in your life, would abound more and more. May He fill you, strengthen you, and cause you to stand firm in Him to the very end. Happy Birthday! Crista

Lets talk about LOCATION How to represent it on each “letter”

One thing I really want you to know today is how many people you have influenced for the Kingdom. You are a crucial part of the Briercrest TESOL program and in my story of becoming an English language teacher. I’m very thankful for your faithfulness in trusting the Father to take you places you never thought you would go, and for sharing these stories with your students. Hearing how the Father can take a willing heart and use that to transform lives has inspired me to do the same. Similar to David, I thought that I would end up in Germany… now I’m in China! Because you encouraged me and kept challenging me to work harder I get to teach in a beautiful country and I hope to impact my students in the way that you have impacted yours – for the honour of our Father and King! 生日快乐 David! Gottes reichen Segen!" Many blessings, Nadine Bergen

"One thing I'll never forget is how David used to say, 'I'll check my diary'. Since English was my second language and I was more familiar with American English, I assumed he was talking about the book where you kept a record of what you did that day. I was picturing a grown man sitting at his desk with a hot cup of English Breakfast tea writing, 'Dear Diary, today I met up with Bob and we had two scoops of creamy strawberry ice cream with rainbow sprinkles on top, my favorite!!!' It wasn't until I nudged my classmate next to me with a confused look on my face that I found out that he was talking about a personal organizer 🙂 Happy Birthday David!!!!" Chaia Popaya

Happy Birthday David!!! In your short time on earth, you have been a huge blessing to many, many people! I am happy to be one of them. You have had a huge impact on my life and I thank God for your wisdom and godly advice. Have a blessed day and a very blessed year. Cheryl Rosenker (currently in Mongolia)

One thing I really appreciate about David is how whole-heartedly he does everything. He follows Jesus with all his heart and invites Him into every aspect of life. Because of this, everything David does is done with quality, caring and excellence. He inspires students (and me) to follow his example, to teach and live in a way that glorifies our Father, and to include Him in every part of our lives. David, learning from you, being your TA and getting to know you over the few years I was at Briercrest was a huge blessing. When I have a difficult problem at work, or have problems while living in a different culture, I think about what you would do, and the answer is usually "pray first" and then apply what I have learned. Heather Morrisey

I remember meeting David when he interviewed to take over the T.E.S.O.L program at Briercrest and thought: He was an interesting, likeable, family focused guy and had much to offer to the program. However I did not realize in that moment just how much he cared about people—his students and their lives. For David, it was much more than just a "job" but an opportunity to impact the lives of many who were going to go out to serve the Lord in the education field. There are many things I could say about how he taught me things, gave me advice and help me in becoming a better teacher; but one thing that meant a lot to me was during my graduation in 2009. I did not have any family to be there for me to celebrate the moment (for various reasons) and was basically the only student I could tell who was alone. During the celebration dinner and the ceremony he came and spent time with me and was there to support and congratulate me when I finished the ceremony. That really meant a lot to me that he had cared that much about me and this moment of my life; and I do think he knows how much I appreciated that or that I have never forgot his kindness. I really wish I could be there to celebrate and jump out to surprise him and all that; but sadly I'm busy teaching and will miss the celebration. One thing I can do is tell him how much he is loved and cared for by all his student, past and present. Also take, during this momentous time in his life, a moment to say that I pray this year and all the following will be filled with many more opportunities for the Lord to use him and to let the love of the Lord shine through his life to all he touches. 1ST Peter 5: 2-4 says: "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you. Serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. (NKJV)" I think this can apply to David, teaching is also very pastoral. David has had many in his flock of students over the years and been a great shepherd to us next generation of servant teachers. He does it willingly, joyfully, patiently and most importantly: with a heart for the Lord and those he shepherds. So before this becomes too novella-like, I wanted to say this: May the Lord continue to lead and guide you David as you teach, lead and guide others. May His hand be up on you, May He give you His favor, health and strength to endure and His patience and peace in the difficult moments. You are a great man of God, Happy Birthday my friend! With Love, Peace and Friendship In Christ, Mike Clark