Mission Safari: The Next Chapter(s)

Pillow Talk

Pillows. How many pillows should a family of 5 have? I counted ours. We have exactly 40 pillows in our apartment. Why do we need 40 pillows. First, I have noticed that 3 people in our family "double up" - that accounts for 8 of the pillows. As I went around counting the pillows (don't I have more important work to do?) I realized that most are for show or decoration. "They make a room" my wife tells me. Apparently, my daughter agrees - she has 8 of the pillows in her room. Most are small and pretty - they all come in different colors and patterns. My favorite nap pillow is the small St. Louis Cardinal pillow Sam has a decoration on his bed. It looks awful on the plaid couch. So much for decoration - then again, how decorative am I laying on the couch taking a nap?

Why am I going on about pillows anyway? Well, this weekend I was reminded how important pillows are. Despite staying at comfortable Holiday Inn Express, I didn't have my pillow. The bed was just right, but I still didn't sleep well. My pillow wasn't comfortable.

I've noticed that on our recent trips, everyone (including Sam) brings his or her own pillow. It takes up a lot of room. But, I think we have all decided that it helps us sleep better when sleeping in a different bed and a different city. I wonder if it helps us feel secure, like something is the same?

We have had a lot of transition this year. We are getting a bit road weary. But we still have a bit to go. In fact, when you read this, I will most likely be in Peru at a Medical Leadership Training Conference. I have packed my bags (a weeks worth of pants, shirts, underwear, socks) today.

My pillow was the last thing to go in the bag.

Sweet dreams!

Dear Son - A Letter from a Father to His Missionary Son

The following is the text from an incredible letter my father gave me recently. I can not express the depth of gratitude and love to have such a letter written to me. I would not have shared this letter except that he told that "I could put it on my blog". So without further ado....

Dear Son & Family:

It seems that not a day goes by without someone asking, “What do you think about them leaving for Africa?” or by saying “I know that you’re going to miss them”.
To all those who have asked or want to ask: Yes, as a father, all the normal feelings are there. I will miss my son and his family. But as a man of God, I understand the great commission and encourage them with all my love. I am very proud of them, but I will not be boastful that I’m the father of a missionary. I love my Lord, and gladly accept this mission He has for Tim and his family (and mine as well). Yes, there will be many tears shed this fall when they leave, but Cheryl and I are already making plans to visit. I will be the “go for” while Cheryl will have the opportunity to work with her son in a professional setting. What more could parents have to share with their children. What everyone needs to understand is the wonderful relationship that Cheryl and I have with both our sons and their families.
(If I may, Dr. Hutchison) Timmy you are well on your way with plans and support for your mission in Kenya. I’ve watched as you’ve gone through various stages, with all the ups and downs. I’ve seen the full range of emotions from total excitement, to total exhaustion. Know, that as your father, it’s hard at times to stand on the sideline and watch without being able to come to your aid. However, know also, what a pleasure it is to chauffer you all the miles, ride along from meeting to meeting, keep the kids, or worship with you as I have. I totally admire how you and Marti have put all this together. Keep up the good work.
Marti, what a wonderful wife, companion and friend you are to my son. Believe me, I know what it’s like trying to keep him under control. You are also a very special person to me. I’m not sure where or when, but, somewhere along these last fifteen years you lost the title of daughter-in-law. To me, you are more than a daughter-in-law. You are a friend, a confidante or even (if Hal and Ruthann will permit), one of my own children. Uncommon to society today, we can and have shared our thoughts, emotions and frustrations, together as a family. I just want you to know that I also thank you for all the extra effort you have invested in this adventure. For it’s you, that does all the packing and unpacking, laundry, housekeeping, and oh yes, taking care of the children.
Sarah, Ben, and Sam; Paw Paw loves you very much. I know that it is hard for you to understand all that is happening. But just think of all the wonderful things you are going to be able to do to help other kids. You have a very special mission that God want you to do. Remember the story of how Jesus took the little child on his knee and told everyone how special children are. You can go to Kenya and help some of God’s children that Nana and Paw Paw can’t help from here. Please be good disciples and help them for us.
Tim and Marti, I understand that there was some apprehension on your part to tell us about your decision. With all my love, shame on you!
I have known for a very long time that this time was coming. I love you both. It’s ok. I will miss some of the important events in the lives of my grandchildren, it’s ok, love you. You will not be able to be at my side in time of sickness, it’s ok, I love. There will be holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and other special events that I will miss you. It’s ok, I love you. There will be deaths in our family and you will not be able to attend, it’s ok, we love you.
All of these events are only human experiences, they will pass. But the love we have in our hearts is Gods gift placed there to keep, sustain, and hold us together. It will never pass, it will only grow stronger.
Go in peace, I understand, I encourage and I love you very much.

Love,

Daddy

Money

I've been thinking about money lately. Not in that greedy, "man, I wish I had more of it", kind of way. And not in the "I wish people would send in their money so I can go the mission field" kind of way. But, it just seems that over the past couple of weeks, I have had conversations about money, read something about it, or heard sermons on money. It seems everyone is talking about money.

For instance, a few weeks ago, my brother was explaining his desire to downsize his house to have more financial freedom. My in-laws are doing the same thing - selling their house to have more freedom to spend more time doing short term missions. It seems they were really impacted by a book written by David Ramsey. I will probably get the book.

Then, last weekend we participated in a missions conference at Center Grove PCA in Edwardsville, Illinois. They did an outstanding job focusing their attention on the principles of giving - both money and talents. The missions committee encouraged the congregation to work through FAITH PROMISE a devotional by Dr. Paul Kooistra, MTW's Coordinator (my BOSS!). It had an amazing impact on the congregation. After the worship service Sunday, they collected the Faith Promise cards, tallied them, and reported the findings. They nearly doubled the number of people making Faith Promises and nearly doubled the giving to missions in one year! Praise the Lord.

Finally, I was reading an article from Sound Mind Investing that talked about stewardship. It was a fantastic article and I have included it at the end of this post. It really got me to thinking about my own stewardship habits. They have not been very good until a few years ago. It seems that God had to send me to the mission field to teach me a thing or two about money.

THINKING about the Passion

“Have you seen the Passion yet?”

To be honest, I have been so busy with raising support, that I haven’t even had the time to go. But the controversy surrounding this movie has caused me to think about WHETHER I should see it.

At first, all I heard about the controversy were the questions raised about the movie being “Anti-semitic” – blaming the Jews for the crucifixion of Christ. My initial reaction was irritation at the liberal leaning media. Without thinking much about it, I was glad that Mel Gibson produced and directed this movie. I figured our Christian leaders (James Dobson, Rick Warren, Billy Graham, et.al) knew what they were talking about in supporting and encouraging me to go see it.

However, I recently have come across a few pastors and commentators who have a different view of the movie. They raise some significant questions about the theological content Some even go so far as to challenge whether the movie breaks the 2nd Commandment (….you shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth – Exodus 20:4 – italics my emphasis).

Interesting stuff! How are we to approach this movie? Should we go or not?

Bittersweet

Bittersweet. That is the word to describe February. As the days and weeks of this year come and go, we find ourselves alternating between excited anticipation and the heart skipping realizations (sometimes anxiety filled!) that we are not that far from our goal of an August departure for Kenya. We find ourselves busy and tired from travel but also energized (in some ways) by the visits - this past month was filled with some exciting visits to partnering and potential partnering churches. We also find ourselves enjoying life here and while at the same time realizing that big change is just around the corner. We celebrated Sarah's 11th birthday at the beginning of the month only to mourn the closing of my practice last week. We enjoyed our rare and unexpected snow storm last week, but I was saddened to realize that I might not ever have the pleasure of building a snowman or throwing snowballs at Sarah and Ben again.

I wonder if this is what Paul experienced when he struggled between his heavenly home and his earthly home. We so anticipate the opportunity to go to Kenya to serve God there in obedience to His call. But we struggle with all the details of leaving our community, church, friends, and family. We know that we will be at peace in the center of God's will, but it does "hurt" to close the chapter on our life here. However, when we reflect on the "transition" our Lord made in leaving the splendor of heaven to come to His Mission Field on earth, we are comforted knowing that His struggle and change was much greater than ours and that because of that He knows what we are going through, and will provide what we need and will need to be encouraged in the days ahead.

A Surprise Snow Storm

As I write this, the snow from last weeks winter storm has already melted. However, the memories were so good, I still wanted to write about it. I realized that as we threw our last snow balls and walked away from our new snowman last Friday (February 27th) that I might not ever get a chance to do that again with the kids - when they are kids. The laughter and excitement will be different the next time we see snow. The next time we are likely to see snow, Ben's deeper voice will not quite be the same as the high pitched squeals of delight of childhood and Sarah's womanly figure will make it hard to remember the uninhibited embrace of a naive flat chested young girl. But, no need to mourn those things now. They are fresh, and precious, and deep in my mind. Thank goodness for stories and pictures to help me in the future to remember the wonders of childhood - the excitement, passion, enthusiasm, and delight in playing in wonderfully clean and unexpected snow!

By the way, check out our pictures from this wonder day in my Photo Album!