from Elliott
There have been 'Good Bye's' before but none like this one. Most are single events; not prepared for in advance even though they are expected. And with technology and convenient travel, most 'good byes' are, at worst, temporary.
This one seems different though. Our departure will happen sometime in the near future but the actual time of departure is an unknown. Also, we don't necessarily see everyone involved on a regular basis and we are blessed to have relationships in places that won't visit before our departure. It seems as though we have already begun those 'good byes' as we enter 2010, knowing that we will be leaving sometime during this year. Every moment of every encounter is savored as we seek to live fully in the present.
With the distance and duration of our commitment to the people in South Africa these 'good byes' feel more profound than the 'temporary' good byes that we are used to. And frankly, with the knowledge that all of us are here on earth just temporarily, some of these 'good byes' feel more 'final' than others - that is, until we meet again on the other side!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Expecting An Exciting New Year!
from Katherine
It is finally here, 2010. We can stop telling folks we will deploy to South Africa 'next year.' Next year is now THIS year!
Is that a bit scary? You bet!
On the other hand, we are so excited we can feel butterflies in our stomachs when we think about the new life God has planned for us. We have met so many people in the past six years during our African travels. At the time we had no idea that God had sent us new friends to help us along the path to our new home. Now with a clear vision we are humbled to see what an amazing God we serve! We have “old” friends who are supporting us financially and with encouragement and new friends to welcome us to our new home.
Don’t we have an awesome God!
It is finally here, 2010. We can stop telling folks we will deploy to South Africa 'next year.' Next year is now THIS year!
Is that a bit scary? You bet!
On the other hand, we are so excited we can feel butterflies in our stomachs when we think about the new life God has planned for us. We have met so many people in the past six years during our African travels. At the time we had no idea that God had sent us new friends to help us along the path to our new home. Now with a clear vision we are humbled to see what an amazing God we serve! We have “old” friends who are supporting us financially and with encouragement and new friends to welcome us to our new home.
Don’t we have an awesome God!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
A 'Norman Rockwell' Christmas?
from Katherine
There has been a lot of conversation in our house lately about how we will celebrate Christmas in South Africa. The biggest difference will be temperature. December is in the middle of summer in South Africa and heat and humidity is typical!
We will certainly not be wearing festive holiday sweaters in front of the fireplace and Turkey and Dressing will probably not be on the menu. A friend has told us that shorts and cooking something special on the braai (BBQ) like ostrich or kudu will be more typical.
I can imagine whether we gather with friends in a beautiful church or under the branches of a shade tree, the Christ child will be welcomed by grateful hearts!
There has been a lot of conversation in our house lately about how we will celebrate Christmas in South Africa. The biggest difference will be temperature. December is in the middle of summer in South Africa and heat and humidity is typical!
We will certainly not be wearing festive holiday sweaters in front of the fireplace and Turkey and Dressing will probably not be on the menu. A friend has told us that shorts and cooking something special on the braai (BBQ) like ostrich or kudu will be more typical.
I can imagine whether we gather with friends in a beautiful church or under the branches of a shade tree, the Christ child will be welcomed by grateful hearts!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
A Meeting of Crazies
from Elliott
We often find ourselves wondering whether we have lost our minds as we think about all the preparation for missionary service and future lifestyle change. We recently attended a training meeting of new Mission Society missionaries. From that experience, I think you can make one generalization – while we thought we were the only ones feeling a bit crazy, it seems that we are more the rule than the exception. Strangely there is a sense of peace that comes when you spend time with others similarly blessed or burdened, depending on your perspective.
One of the concepts presented at the meeting was that of how or sense of identity is impacted when you answer the calling to be a missionary. It was suggested that we will sense a loss of identity as we transition. That resonated well with me having spent many years with culturally impressive titles in the corporate real estate world.
When you have gotten used to that, shifting to the word ‘missionary’ can be a bit scary. The problem is that the word missionary illicits a wide range of perceptions. I find the most uncomfortable is the mantle of sainthood that some attach to it. I certainly know better! So, it is easier for me to become more comfortable with the alternate perception that we are simply a bit crazy. I sense others sharing our situation are OK with that.
Perhaps this disconnect with our native culture that we feel as missionaries is simply a hypersensitivity to the counter culture nature of the Gospel. That certainly is not unique to the missionary but clearly anytime you focus on crossing to another culture your degree of desire to be a Christ follower is heightened.
We often find ourselves wondering whether we have lost our minds as we think about all the preparation for missionary service and future lifestyle change. We recently attended a training meeting of new Mission Society missionaries. From that experience, I think you can make one generalization – while we thought we were the only ones feeling a bit crazy, it seems that we are more the rule than the exception. Strangely there is a sense of peace that comes when you spend time with others similarly blessed or burdened, depending on your perspective.
One of the concepts presented at the meeting was that of how or sense of identity is impacted when you answer the calling to be a missionary. It was suggested that we will sense a loss of identity as we transition. That resonated well with me having spent many years with culturally impressive titles in the corporate real estate world.
When you have gotten used to that, shifting to the word ‘missionary’ can be a bit scary. The problem is that the word missionary illicits a wide range of perceptions. I find the most uncomfortable is the mantle of sainthood that some attach to it. I certainly know better! So, it is easier for me to become more comfortable with the alternate perception that we are simply a bit crazy. I sense others sharing our situation are OK with that.
Perhaps this disconnect with our native culture that we feel as missionaries is simply a hypersensitivity to the counter culture nature of the Gospel. That certainly is not unique to the missionary but clearly anytime you focus on crossing to another culture your degree of desire to be a Christ follower is heightened.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Field Trip
from Cason
One of the cool things about homeschooling is that I get to go on 'field trips' with my teacher (mom). A couple of days ago we went to Chik fil a and I saw my first grade teacher, Mrs. Harris which reminded me about how many good teachers I have had at Landmark and how much I learned.
I wonder what I will learn at my new school in South Africa. I know I will learn the Afrikans and Xhosa languages and maybe even learn how to play rugby and cricket. Mom and Dad told me that when they visited the school I will go to that the kids there go barefoot! Isn't that awesome?
One of the cool things about homeschooling is that I get to go on 'field trips' with my teacher (mom). A couple of days ago we went to Chik fil a and I saw my first grade teacher, Mrs. Harris which reminded me about how many good teachers I have had at Landmark and how much I learned.
I wonder what I will learn at my new school in South Africa. I know I will learn the Afrikans and Xhosa languages and maybe even learn how to play rugby and cricket. Mom and Dad told me that when they visited the school I will go to that the kids there go barefoot! Isn't that awesome?
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Friends at the Grocery Store
from Katherine
I ran into a friend I have not seen in some time at the grocery store today. She wanted to know all about my family so, of course, I told her of our plans to move to South Africa. Amazingly, as I was speaking she got goose bumps on her arms and NO we were not standing in the frozen food aisle!
Often when I run into someone I have not seen in a while and tell them about God's calling for our family, they look at me like we are nuts but not this friend. It really did not matter where we were going or what we would be doing. She was excited simply because we were being obedient to God's calling.
I had had a long week with many challenges and God knew I needed someone to confirm our calling. God obviously sent her with a message for me. Her enthusiasm lifted my spirits.
Thanks friend!
I ran into a friend I have not seen in some time at the grocery store today. She wanted to know all about my family so, of course, I told her of our plans to move to South Africa. Amazingly, as I was speaking she got goose bumps on her arms and NO we were not standing in the frozen food aisle!
Often when I run into someone I have not seen in a while and tell them about God's calling for our family, they look at me like we are nuts but not this friend. It really did not matter where we were going or what we would be doing. She was excited simply because we were being obedient to God's calling.
I had had a long week with many challenges and God knew I needed someone to confirm our calling. God obviously sent her with a message for me. Her enthusiasm lifted my spirits.
Thanks friend!
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Gift of Encouragement
from Elliott
A lot of times we think of a gift as something that is ‘tangible’ like a Christmas present or a financial contribution to the ministry. When we started raising financial support, I will have to admit I had a ‘spreadsheet’ mentality – that is, the numbers drove the process.
I am finding though that God has a different plan. His way is for us continue to say ‘yes’ to the calling through our ongoing obedience and allow Him to provide through that obedience. But how do you continue to say ‘yes’ even through the ups and downs of the process?
It has become very clear that God uses our fellow Brothers and Sisters in Christ to offer the gift of encouragement along the way to facilitate that obedience. Simply asking ‘how is it going?’ or ‘tell me God’s story in South Africa’ or letting us know that they have been praying for us or thinking of us gives us the opportunity to know someone cares, that we have been lifted up and we are not alone, motivating us to persevere.
Many times those gifts of encouragement have come at just the right time; often when we are struggling or weary. No matter the occasion, it gives us pause to consider God’s calling and provision as well as our response.
A lot of times we think of a gift as something that is ‘tangible’ like a Christmas present or a financial contribution to the ministry. When we started raising financial support, I will have to admit I had a ‘spreadsheet’ mentality – that is, the numbers drove the process.
I am finding though that God has a different plan. His way is for us continue to say ‘yes’ to the calling through our ongoing obedience and allow Him to provide through that obedience. But how do you continue to say ‘yes’ even through the ups and downs of the process?
It has become very clear that God uses our fellow Brothers and Sisters in Christ to offer the gift of encouragement along the way to facilitate that obedience. Simply asking ‘how is it going?’ or ‘tell me God’s story in South Africa’ or letting us know that they have been praying for us or thinking of us gives us the opportunity to know someone cares, that we have been lifted up and we are not alone, motivating us to persevere.
Many times those gifts of encouragement have come at just the right time; often when we are struggling or weary. No matter the occasion, it gives us pause to consider God’s calling and provision as well as our response.
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