Humble

Alva Wylie, a Mississippi resident, is serving jail time. But the 82-year-old retired pharmacist is not a convicted felon. He's just a humble servant of his Lord.

The Rev Fr Joseph Baligeya, representing the Rt Rev Willigers, President of the Bible Society of Uganda, hands copies of the Lusoga New Testament to inmates of Jinja prison. Kampala, Uganda. Photo: BS Uganda

He spends his time visiting prisoners in the county and city jails and youth detention centers. On each visit, he and a friend from the church distribute American Bible Society Scriptures and tell the imprisoned about the love of Jesus.

Retired after 31 years as a drug company representative, Mr. Wylie says, "I've been working for the Lord since."

He is also a regular visitor to area hospitals, everywhere spreading the Word via American Bible Society materials, and he can occasionally be seen on the streets of downtown Greenwood witnessing to his faith and carrying his satchel filled with Scripture materials.

"It's very rewarding work," he says about his life in retirement.

He and his wife, Mary Elizabeth, wed for 53 years, have established annuities with American Bible Society as part of their biblical belief in stewardship.

"It's part of handling the blessings that God has provided us with," Mr. Wylie says. "It's a way of handling the excess in a Christ-like way that will benefit people who need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ."

That's a belief reflected not only in Mr. Wylie's investment in American Bible Society, but it's also what inspires him on his regular visits to jail.