Today, I was reminded of a sobering truth: the personal cost of being a missionary. When missionaries leave their home country, it remains just that, their home country... for a while. Eventually, an interesting transition takes place where the host country becomes home in a lot of ways, especially if the missionaries start to fall in love with the host country: the food, the people, the culture, the ministry. Thus begins the transition into the nomadic life of a missionary. Inevitably, most modern missionaries will return "home," leaving the host country behind, if only for a season. Therein lies the struggle. Upon returning "home" they realize that the things that once made it home have changed in their absence. Old friends have made new friends, church or family dynamics have changed, and life has gone on. When they share stories of their beloved host country, people back "home" may listen politely, but few can relate to the missionaries experiences "out there." The missionary can easily feel like an outsider with no defined role in their once-familiar social system. However, for all the missionaries out there, be encouraged! These feelings of wandering will soon be stilled. This nomadic search for home will soon reach its beautiful conclusion. After all, we are not made for this world. We are citizens of a HEAVENLY kingdom with a King who will not be ashamed to be called (our) God. Our forever home is there, along with all those that have gone before us! “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:13-16)
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Hello, 2016! Another year over, a new one just begun! Christina and I are grateful that we have so many good memories to look back on from 2015. We traveled to beautiful places in the world, saw lots of strange and exotic things, and experienced rich culture in Belize and Mongolia. We made friends from all over the world and shared our journey of life and faith alongside them. We served and shared our faith in Jesus across the globe with alcoholics, prostitutes, homeless people, Buddhists, Shamans, atheists, new friends, old friends, strangers, business people, single mothers, students and more! All of them awesome people and friends. WE FOUND OUT WE'RE HAVING A BABY! (Due May, 2016) But, best of all, God met us in new and REAL ways in 2015. We owe the successes and blessings of last year to Him and to the hard work He helped us accomplish. And now we look forward to all that this next year holds, "press(ing) on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called (us) heavenward in Christ Jesus." 2016, Here we come! |
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. Archives
March 2021
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