FEBRUARY 2026

• Dear Fellow Believers,

This letter is dedicated to the memory of my father and mother,    

Melvin High 4-16-1929 to  December 27, 2025
Anna High 12-17-1931 to  December 31, 2025

As the bible states in Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.
A time to be born, and a time to die. A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance

The beautiful love story of this young Mennonite boy and young Amish girl who met at a local farmer’s market “Green Dragon” in Pennsylvania 77+ years ago has come to an end, but continues for eternity in heaven. This couple dedicated their lives to God’s service on the mission field while also raising twelve children.  

Melvin – after coming to the Rio Grande Valley in 1962, fell in love with the Mexican people and a deep calling to serve.  On December 27, 1963, with nine children, six dollars in his pocket, and a tank full of gas, he started his missionary journey and moved his family to San Juan, Texas. Even through various trials and very hard times, his faith was unwavering and he never looked back. His calling was to Mexico, and he was a willing servant and stepped out in faith. His ministry extended from the US to Mexico, Central America, South America and Haiti. Many, many lives have been touched by his ministry. He was a mighty warrior for the kingdom of God.  

Anna – my mother is what you would call the wind beneath my father’s wings, a perfect Proverbs 31 women, wife, and mother, providing strength, prayer, and support. She was a stay-at-home mom who raised us eleven children but would also lend a hand whenever it was needed, including nursing many children from the orphanage in Mexico back to health, and adopting one of them, making our family complete at one dozen. She would welcome many missionaries or mission groups into her home; we had a revolving door.  She was very faithful in promoting the ministry and doing whatever she could do to help dad. She was a prayer warrior and we know that dad could not have done what he did without her, she was his silent partner.  I like to picture my parents as a watch, my dad was the face of the watch that was out there for everyone to see but open that watch up and you see all the gears making that watch work, that was my mom.  

On the 26thof December my dad was placed under Hospice Care. That same evening my mom suffered a major stroke. On December 27th my father passed away, on December 31st we buried him and that same evening, my mom passed away. Just as dad stepped into his ministry and pulled out of the driveway on December 27th, his missionary journey ended on December 27th just 63 years later.  Dad told God that as long as he lived to serve Him, he wanted his wife by his side and when He leaves, he wanted her to go with him, and that is exactly what happened. The perfect ending to their beautiful love story, with God in the center.

They are greatly missed and though we mourn our losses, we rejoice even more, that they are in heaven walking the streets of gold, hand in hand, talking with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

Their ministry will continue through Richard and I that have taken up the torch two plus years ago and have kept Flame of Truth in operation both here and in Mexico. If you recall, Dad resigned at the age of 94 in March of 2023 and handed the ministry over to us, and we have been very faithful and will continue to carry on to the best of our ability. With the help of our Mexico friend and partner, Pastor Rosendo Garcia, the Mexico ministry is thriving. We are continuing to grow missions, adding churches, and gaining souls for the kingdom. Here on the home grounds, we are trying to play catch up. Many of the buildings are now older and sun beaten, showing wear and tear. We are asking the Lord for wisdom and direction on where we should go from here. We could not have done all this without you and we ask that you continue to help us with your support and your prayers to keep my father’s calling alive.   

Your servants in Christ:
Richard and Linda Hough

We are planning a celebration of life honoring my parents on February 28th2026 at Grace Chapel at 2535 Colebrook Rd., Elizabethtown, PA. The service is scheduled for 10:30 AM with a time of food and fellowship at 12 for everyone. Please join us as we honor them for their faithfulness and a job well done in carrying the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of their continent.