Then There Was Thursday

As our missions schedule filled up, we set aside the first two weeks in September as "family time" in hopes that we could be there when Sara's sister had her first child.  Knowing babies don't always understand about due dates, we knew we could miss it.  Knowing also that we'll miss out on all sorts of family events when we live in Africa, we hoped this one would work in our favor.

We also accepted an invitation to speak with the Oak Hills missions committee the last Thursday of our San Antonio stay.  We laughed on the way to the meeting because we don't know how to speak to missions committees.  This was only our third of such meetings.  One of our friends texted she was praying the meeting would "exceed our expectations," and that is exactly what happened.  Turns out it is a natural, fun, easy conversation to sit down with mission-minded God-people and tell them what He's done in our lives.  They blessed us, and prayed for us, and we were out the door in thirty minutes.

During the brief meeting, we had missed three phone calls from family, so we had an inkling THE DAY had arrived.  Sure enough, our nephew was born that afternoon.  The ability to meet him, love on their little family, and celebrate with our extended family is a treasure in our missions process!  When we have to miss gatherings in the future, I will look back and remember, "But we got to be there for Nathan's birth."

While at the birth center that evening, we received an e-mail that the Oak Hills church wants to join in sending us on our mission.  Their support bumped us to 90% of the on-going commitments we need for our family's monthly expenses!

A nephew and ninety percent in one day.  Now, that's a good Thursday!

Heroes

Have you ever met someone and immediately knew they would be one of your heroes?  That happened to me twice in one day.

For breakfast I met with an incredible young man whose aim is to faithfully prepare for a life on the mission field in order to be he ready soon after he is married.  William Ebrom isn't even engaged yet. Thankfully his girlfriend is in perfect stride with him.  As he and I ate a delicious dish that should have classified as a dessert, we shot questions back and forth and mutually encouraged each other.  I am amazed by a man his age having such conviction for where GOD wants him to work in the Kingdom, and I know there is a lot in store for him and his future wife.  I would love my sons to have William's drive and conviction for the LORD when they are his age.

From there I went to have lunch with a man I had heard of, but to my misfortune knew very little about.  I knew that he was associated with Abilene Christian University and had written a number of books.  I knew that he was a mentor for one of the shepherds at our home church and a mentor for Max Lucado.  Little did I know what was in store as our lunch at the place that serves "The worst BBQ in Texas," turned into a 6.5 hour visit including a drive through the Hill Country and kicking back in his "man cave" office.  I wish I could have recorded our entire visit because wisdom from seven decades of a faithful life oozed out of everything he said.  I quickly realized that his generous spirit in mentoring younger brothers in Christ is simply his way of life.  I am still processing many of the things he shared with me.   Of course I will not come close to capturing his eloquence, but I pray these nuggets from Lynn Anderson (underlined) will draw you closer to our Father:

In praying for our time together he said - We don't ask for Your presence with us, we know You're here.  Help us to be aware of You and what You are doing.

It amazes me how Jesus initiated the conversation with the first missionary He ever sent out.  He was the one to ask for help!  He asked the woman at the well for a drink of water instead of telling her how he would fix all her problems.

This is the best time in life for Carolyn and me.  This said after 57 years of marriage and overcoming a battle with cancer.

The time has come in my life to drop the sword and focus on holding the lamp.  I am thankful for people of this generation who realize God still has work for them to do!

One of my greatest heroes was a blind preacher in the African country of Malawi. 

I keep coming back to the Psalms and the Sermon on the Mount.  They are the essence of our walk with GOD.

On top of all this, he helped me think through various aspects of going on the mission field and the focus of our work there.  I know that our afternoon together will bear much fruit in Burkina Faso.

As a matter of clarification for my new friend, this recent book of his is not a reprint.

If you enjoyed reading "They Smell Like Sheep" I know you will benefit from this companion volume!


After a day like this I thank GOD for faithfully preparing us for the work to which He calls us, and for doing it in wonderfully surprising ways.