August 5, 2002
Retiree's open heart led him around world
___By Brandon Kirk
___Staff Writer
___WHITESBORO--When Gus Green retired in 1987, he had no plans for traveling around the world. But he did dedicate himself to doing God's work of helping others, and as a result he has seen many places and people in need of his help.
___"I asked the Lord to give me 10 years, and he did," Green said.
___He began building houses locally with fellow members of First Baptist Church in Whitesboro. Since then, he has traveled with Texas Baptist Men from Grayson Baptist Association all over the U.S. and in many disaster-stricken parts of the world.
___Having traveled extensively during his 30 years in the Air Force, Green already had seen many underdeveloped nations. "I had been to a lot of Third World places, and I knew it was pretty bad for them," he said.
___When Green went to rebuild churches in East Germany, he felt a certain nostalgia because he had lived in West Germany for three years after World War II.
___Not all of his trips have been entirely pleasant, though. An earthquake in Turkey that claimed tens of thousands of lives and left 200,000 homeless was the worst situation he had ever seen, he said. Green also went with the Texas Baptist Men to Albania, the poorest nation in Europe, where more than 440,000 refugees fled during the Kosovo conflict in 1999. There, they built shelves, stools and other accommodations for tent cities where they served food alongside other aid organizations.
___But most of Green's relief work has been closer to home. After a tornado in Oklahoma, he led a 10-man team to make repairs, build houses and distribute food. Range fires in the Texas Panhandle are a common disaster for which the men are called on to provide meals.
___Green said he and other volunteers seek to serve as examples of the love of Christ for people in need.
___Green's church works closely with Calvary Baptist Church in Lubbock. Both are small churches, and together, Green said, they have set an example for churches and for Christian men: "We're proof that small churches can do a lot."
___In March, Green received the Humanitarian of the Year award from the Whitesboro Chamber of Commerce.
___"It kind of surprised me, really," Green said, noting the award honored not only his efforts but also those of his Texas Baptist Men cohorts.
___Green isn't about to retire his ministry, however. He already has been on seven trips this year and is ready for whatever may come: "I've still got my passport. The Lord does great things, and we just follow him along."
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