George Lockman – Mr. Fixit's Win-Win deal!

The American Baptist church was always important to my dad. George was born to parents who were always involved in the ABC churches. His folks actually met at University Baptist Church in Seattle when they were young children. Their families coincidentally moved from the Midwest in the early 1900's. They arrived in Seattle around the same time and ended up in the same church. My grandparents both graduated from UW and married a few years later. They had four children who all attended this church. My mom and dad met each other at a BYF function at the church in the late 1940's. Married in 1949, they later moved to Bellingham and found a church home at the First Baptist Church, another American Baptist Church. My parents became very active members. My mom was Sunday School Superintendent and my dad was Mr. Fixit, and he could fix anything! If there was a leaky faucet, leaky roof, electrical or plumbing problem, you could hear, "Call George". Everyone knew to get his help. If he didn't know how to fix it, he would" figure it out". In later years, they became members of Mt. Vernon First Baptist, and you guessed it, he became the fixit guy again! It seemed that a soon as my parents saw that their children were out of the house, they became world travelers. They did a lot of traveling with friends for a few years. Later they heard about places they could go to do work for the American Baptist missionaries abroad. There were always needs that my dad saw which he could "fix". My mom went along to help him. She was his helpmate. If she wasn't helping him, she would go to a school or clinic, whatever might be needed by the missionaries there. They really seemed to enjoy the trips. Countries where they went frequently were Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Philippines. They flew with all Dad's tools to each country, usually one country each year. The suitcases they took, loaded with everything Dad might need, were quite a sight! During the time of travel, my mom and dad heard about the American Baptist Foundation and a Charitable Trust program that excited both mom and dad. They could give a sum of money, which they could choose, give this amount to the American Baptist Foundation, and get money for themselves every month. Then, at their passing, the money which had been invested would go to an American Baptist project, of their choosing. What a Win-Win situation. No losers there! I can remember my dad being so excited about it. That has influenced by husband and me too. We have already set up a trust and plan to put more money into it. My dad always wished that more people would participate in this great program. Hopefully, more stories like mine will be told and others can be excited about this Win-Win ideal. By the way, my husband and I grew up in American Baptist churches and met at an American Baptist church camp. We have been married almost 50 Years!
– Chris Galbraith