Christmas 2010 Afterparty in Plovdiv

It has been hard to be away from the people we love, especially around Christmas, but it was great to be able to Skype with family and speak with friends on the phone. We share this experience of missing loved ones with other missionaries. There are three families on our team who spent their first Christmas away from home. It was nice that we were all able to spend some time enjoying each others company. Joshua spent 2 nights with Gary and Tammy and one night they were so kind to watch all the children while Susan and I went on a double date with Pete and Renee. This morning before we jumped on the train, Pete made a delicious breakfast of biscuits & gravy, bacon, and eggs - almost like being at home! Then it was back to Sofia. I had a conversation on the train with a guy who insisted that I understood more Bulgarian than I actually did. He gave me his newspaper, his phone number and some advice. I must confess that since he spoke no English, I am not entirely sure what that advice was, but nonetheless, he was friendly and gave me an opportunity to stretch my language learning skills. When we got to Sofia, I introduced Susan to the post office, where a couple of packages were waiting. When we got home and opened the packages, we were surprised and touched by the generosity of some dear friends. The timing was perfect and made a special ending to Christmas 2010 for us.

Merry Christmas to All

So this is our first Christmas in Bulgaria.  It came up on us rather quickly.  Susan and I found ourselves scrambling to make last minute purchases and wrap presents this week so that there would be something under the tree for a few days.  We thought we would have a white Christmas.  There was a lot of snow on the ground a week ago, but it has been steadily melting away for the past week. Last night we had a private Christmas party including a dancing segment American Bandstand style where we all showed off our best moves.  We guessed gifts, ate sandwiches, watched fireworks from the balcony, and read from Luke 2 and Matthew 2 of the Savior's birth.  We got up this morning and tied a ribbon around Happy, Eli's dog.  The boys made coffee for Susan and me.  By the time we came down, they had already checked out their stockings.  They were anxious to unwrap presents, but we insisted that they wait until we could get Skype up and share with the grandparents.  Nothing doing - neither set of G-parents were online.  We took a few minutes to pray for our family, here and there.  Uncle Matt was on so we Skyped with him and LeighAnn.  Then Susan's mom and dad got online and watched the kids open their gifts.  The boys all seemed very pleased with their gifts and ran off to play with them.  Right now, I am sitting next to Susan with Christmas music playing gently in the background. I can hear Joshua upstairs playing with his new guitar, but here we sit, relaxing, sipping on coffee, just glad to be together and enjoying a quiet moment.  Merry Christmas to everybody!

Thy Mercy, My God is the Theme of My Song

Things are not happening the way we planned.  When Susan and I were first invited to Bulgaria, it was with the idea that we would be providing therapy services and consultations based out of newly established resource center called Lomidol.  We figured that we would be working side by side with a Bulgarian couple.  We really liked them and we liked the idea partnering with them in a gospel-driven ministry of mercy.  But much has changed since we started down this path.  Our Bulgarian friends had to make decisions for the well being of their family that led them away from Lomidol and Sofia, the city where we now live.  Lomidol is no longer in operation.  Our team's leadership changed while we were raising support and since that time there has been an ongoing effort to recast the vision of what our team is doing.  Susan and I have spent a lot of time praying and wondering about the shape that our ministry, both team and family, would take.  We have been telling people that our primary job this first year is to learn the language, but I have become increasingly aware that our first job is the same as it has always been, to know God and walk with Him.  Everything else follows.  My pastor used to say that he was praying that God would make us desperate for Him.  I can't help, but wonder if he has been praying that prayer a little more frequently since we left for the field.  For the most part we have adjusted well to life in the field, but there are days and seemingly minor events that sometimes create a great deal of stress for us, like finding a cab on Sunday morning and being turned down because our family is too big or he doesn't understand my Bulgarian.
With everything that has happened, and all the changes, God has been faithful to our family and even now, on this day, I have a strong sense of Him drawing us closer.  Though we have spent much of our time here like blind men wandering around, God has opened doors into relationships with Bulgarians.  We are now part of a family group in our church that is taking seriously their responsibility to help us learn Bulgarian by limiting their use of English, though most of them speak it well. From our visit in 2006, relationships have been rekindled and have led to opportunities for us to meet with and support families with disabled children.  Just over a week ago, I went with a medical team to the nearby town of Pazardjik, where we worked for a week.  Though I had opportunities to serve and to encourage people who passed through this church-based clinic, I felt very much like a student watching nurses, doctors, translators and various church members share the love of Christ through encouraging, sometimes challenging words, compassion,and prayer.  It was such a blessing to me to be a part of this team. There have been other opportunities.  We got a call out of the blue from Tsvetan who referred a family to us.  Susan and I invited them over and we spent maybe an hour and a half with them and their little girl who has cerebral palsy.  They were a delightful couple and their little girl was as cute as she could be.  We talked and played and made recommendations.  Before they left we exchanged contact information and an offer was extended to connect us with families in Vergas, on the other side of Bulgaria. Through our involvement in a family group at our church, I was asked to help proofread an English version of a proposal for a community center on church property.  I expressed excitement about the proposal and was quickly invited to be a part of the team, particularly to help develop an outreach component focused on children with disabilities.

So it is true, things are not happening as we planned.  Our vision was small and neat and manageable.  Though we are looking dimly as through a glass, we are beginning to catch a glimpse that maybe God's vision is large and messy and completely unmanageable in human terms, though very much under the control of an all powerful, merciful, and loving God!  In all of this what does God require of us "but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God?"

 http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=98409&id=1348898632
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8

Why Language Learning Matters

If you have ever wondered why we are investing so much time, money, and effort into language learning, read the article linked below.  It was written by a guy who was very encouraging to us during the evaluation and support raising process that led us to Bulgaria.

http://www2.mtw.org/home/site/templates/mtw_invision07.asp?resolutionfile=templatespath|mtw_invision07.asp&area_2=public/Resources/Invision/2010/11/LanguageLearningMatters

Tough Place to Grow Up

Susan told me that a group of students and a few parents were traveling to an orphanage in a small nearby town on Friday.  She told me that she thought I would be welcomed to go.  Because she was teaching, Susan was unable to go.  We had spent a lot of time talking about investigating the situation with orphanages before we got to the field and this was our first opportunity to visit one. When our team arrived, we were treated to a drink that tasted very much like good ole southern sweet tea, only it was hot.  The lady who hosted us gave us a brief overview of the situation of the kids in her facility.  Though the facility was identified as an orphanage, most of the children either went home each evening or lived in dorms during the week- returning home on the weekends.  My impression was that the facility looked and operated like a school, though the workers were far more involved in the social welfare of these children than would typically be observed in the states.  These children are Roma, also known as gypsies (though the term "gypsy" is akin to a racial slur).  They live in very poor conditions.  It is a common practice for Roma girls to be sold into marriage and sometimes prostitution by the time they are 14 years old.  If the family that buys the girl doesn't like her, she is often returned home with any children she may have had.  Education has very little perceived value. We were told that there were some children from a home for disabled children who come over for part of the day.  I was very curious to see those children.
The game plan of our team before we arrived was to engage the children in games.  A soccer ball and a small nerf basketball were brought along and came in very handy.  Because it was cold outside, the kids were given the option of going outside with the boys and playing soccer or staying inside and playing games in the classroom.  After watching the games and seeing that some of the disabled children were not following what was going on, one of the ladies on our team suggested that we go across the hall and play with the children who had disabilities.  In our group were four children, one of who was in a wheelchair.  We began playing games and I was told that the smallest girl in the group did not talk, but the more she played the less shy she was.  She began making vocalizations as she got excited.  At one point, we thought she was saying some words and so we began playing games to get the kids to make animal noises, which this little girl did with no trouble.  Though my Bulgarian is very poor, it appeared that she was speaking to her friend during our games.  As our time was ending and everyone was heading outside, one of the ladies asked if this girl with whom we were playing had a coat.  She was told that she had been given lots of coats, but her mother (who was reportedly mentally disabled) said that she burns them for heat. What a tough, challenging environment for this precious little girl.

Down Syndrome Support

At the close of our meeting, A lady in the group approached me and asked if I would be willing to consult with her on her 5 year old son.  I took her contact information and told her that I would like to help, but that I needed to talk it over with my team leader because of my commitment to language study this year.  I spoke to him earlier today and he gave me the go ahead, so a few minutes ago, I sent out an email to this mother to offer my help.  I do not wish to make her name public, but I do ask that you pray for her and her son.  Please pray that the grace of God would pour over the families here in Bulgaria who are raising children with disabilities.  There is still more to say about this meeting....

Parent Support Group

Earlier today I had an opportunity to speak to a Down Syndrome support group.  It was great opportunity to offer insights and strategies from my perspective as an occupational therapist.  Tanja, a missionary with Send is a member of the group and arranged for me to speak to them.  Susan and I prayed for the group before I went.  We also spent some time talking about doors that God is opening for us.  It has been a busy, tiring stretch, but one that has been full of joy.  All along the way, I have been reminded that God has been at work here long before we showed up.  It gives me great confidence to see his hand at work and to know that he has brought us here at this time for this purpose.  I suspect I will have more to say about this experience in the coming days.

A Man Like Job

Last night at bedtime, Eli asked if I would read to him from the Bible.  I said sure and then thought to myself, "What shall I read?"  I have been taking Eli and Paul through Sinclair Ferguson's Big Book of Questions and Answers.  My first thought was to pick out one of the passages from one of Ferguson's recent lessons, but instead I decided to read from the last few chapters of Job.  Scott Barber, an old friend and lawyer turned pastor once said of this section that it is the greatest cross examination of all-time.  I sat just outside of Eli's room using the hall light so that he could hear, but more easily drift off to sleep when the time came.  I began reading in chapter 38: "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?  Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me....."  Then began a long series of intimidating, no, overwhelmingly intimidating questions.  When chapter 39 rolled around, I was thinking that the point was well made, but the cross examination was only beginning.  At some point, Eli's attention waned.  I had hoped that he would fall asleep, but instead decided that he was thirsty and asked for a drink.  I allowed him to go to the kitchen and get some water, but I sat and continued reading.  I was amused when Job tried to end the barrage of questions by saying that he was of small account and would not speak any further.  In essence he was saying, "Maybe I should just keep quiet."  But God pressed further and in the end, when Job was faced with the greatness of God, Job was humbled and repented of his arrogance toward God.  Then God turned to Job's friends, and this is what really grabbed my attention.  He said to them that His anger burned hot against them because they have not spoken of Him what is right "as My servant Job has."  He tells them to go to Job and offer up a burnt offering for themselves.  "And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly.  For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has."

This passage reminds me to be still before God and know that He is God.  It reminds me that "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."  Looking at God's advice to Job's friends, I am reminded that He "delights in showing mercy."  He was displeased with these men, but told them that they should get Job to pray for them because He would accept Job's pleas to show them mercy.  I have been reminded recently that my prayer life is not what it should be.  It is time for me to spend more time being overwhelmed (like Job) with who God is and what He has done.  At our team retreat, George Stulac preached a series of messages about prayer.  The theme that was repeated over and over was from the words of Jesus, "...apart from Me, you can do nothing (John 15:5)."

So here I am - a missionary in a foreign land.  I don't know the language and there is much I don't understand about the culture.  My wife and children are here with me trying to adjust to a new life.  Our schedules are getting full and mixed up.  Tomorrow, Eli and Paul will be starting school (part-time) in a Bulgarian speaking Christian school. In the next few weeks I will be speaking with parents of children with disabilities.  One will be a private meeting.  The other will be a presentation before a Down Syndrome support group.  Our team is preparing for a new direction with lots of unknowns left before us.  What shall I do?  Apart from Christ, I can do nothing.  I need some serious prayer time and I beg you to pray as well. When you pray for these things, pray that our ministry would be marked by love and that God would use us to advance the gospel here in Bulgaria.

Life in Geo Milev

Riding the No. 5 Trolley, a daily event

Most of our team members are living in apartments a short distance from the Metro subway system.  When we began our apartment search, we also hoped to find a place near the Metro, but there were few places that met our criteria.  When our agent suggested a place in the Geo Milev District near the Pleeska Hotel, Susan and I were game, but knew that if we liked the place we would be moving away from the convenience of the Metro.  Not only did we really like the place, but it was also the cheapest of the options presented to us.  Now that we are in Geo Milev, we use buses far more frequently than the Metro.  They are not always the timely option, but they take us to more locations than the Metro.  And then guess what happened yesterday.  We were invited by Tonya, a missionary with Send, to go to her son's therapy session and meet his speech therapist.  Being pediatric OTs, Susan and I were naturally very interested in seeing the clinic and the approach of the local speech therapists.  We met with the executive manager, Nina who is also a speech therapist.  She has a large team of psychologists and speech therapists who engage in a variety of strategies to support children with disabilities.  She is committed to equipping others and improving her approach.  She extended an invitation to Susan and me to observe her team and provide training if we were interested.  The environment was very child friendly.  The children we saw were treated with much compassion.  Did I mention the location?  Geo Milev! I don't know what will come of this contact, but it seems very promising.  When I think of how we ended up in this apartment and Tonya's son receiving therapy just up the road from here, the one word that comes to mind is "providential."  It's almost like there is a god orchestrating all this! ;-)

Friends, Romans, Countrymen!

Today we are packing our bags and moving out again, but this time we plan to return in a week.  Two days ago the Elliotts and Romans joined our team in the field.  Pete, Renee, and Leora Roman have been our guests.  It has been a joy getting to know them.  Susan and I stayed up late last night with Pete and Renee laughing and telling stories about our experiences getting to Bulgaria.  It was a reminder that God has been faithful in providing for us when we have needed it the most. He has given us many experiences that bring a smile and a laugh when we recall and share them.  We are now hours away from heading off to Bansko for our annual team retreat.  We have much to pray over, discuss and consider.  As was the case last year, we anticipate that this retreat will include a mix of team worship, fellowship, strategic planning/preparation, and fun.  Please pray for our team as we head out.  We are here for the sake of the gospel.  We need your prayers and God's grace as we move with intention into the communities and into the lives of the people here.

Now that we are here

This video was put together for an upcoming event at CrossPointe.  It is short and to the point.  Watching it will give you a feel for what we are doing right now.

Rumor has it....

Can it be?  After arriving in port on June 25th, we here rumors that our container will arrive in the morning.  If you happen to see this anytime on July 16th or 17th, we ask you to please say a prayer that the delivery would be completed soon.  There are certainly other things more important than a container full of personal items, but it is a major step in allowing us to get settled in the place where we plan to be long-term.  We are all doing well, picking up a little Bulgarian here and there.  This week the boys got started playing baseball.  The format is quite different, not bad, just different.  In any case, the three of them are glad to get out and toss the rock around the diamond.

Let it be, let it be

Susan & Mike Hershberger talking with GregMKs L to R, standing: Ellie and Zach Hershberger; sitting: Mary Hersberger Johanna Stanton and Owen Taylor

The Hershbergers (a little younger in this shot)

I sat outside of the University Metro stop at McDonald's waiting for the Hershbergers to arrive.  Susan walked over to the bookstore.  The kids had a babysitter and so I had a few minutes to sit and observe the culture.  As I sat, I listened to a couple of street musicians performing the Beatles' classic "Let it Be."  I've never heard this version. It's an instrumental via classical guitar with accordion lead.  Except for a pause between songs I wouldn't have noticed the more beautiful sounds being produced by a celloist across the way.  He may have been more talented, but when it came to volume, he got slammed.

Accordion player, not the one at McDonalds, but Bulgarian (didn't have a camera at McDonalds)

When the Hershbergers arrived, we wandered around until we found an outdoor hotdog stand.  We opened an umbrella, pulled up some chairs and just enjoyed being together.  They will be leaving for the states in a few days and do not plan to return until January.  We will miss them very much.  They have been very kind to us in the short time we have been here.

Before meeting up with the Hershbergers, we had a meeting with the leadership of the Solunska church.  This meeting included the members of our team who worship at the church.  Besides Susan and me, Dal and Dave C. were in attendance.  We received a very warm welcome from Daniel and Stanislov.  We shared our sense of call to Bulgaria and expressed our desire to be used in whatever capacity advances the gospel.  Ways for our team to be active in the life of the church were discussed along with broader concerns about impacting Bulgaria as partners.  I know that language learning is the most important job Susan and I  have right now, as it relates to serving Bulgaria, but I also got excited as Daniel talked about ways Susan and I could use our skills in the life of the church and to serve the community.  I was also very appreciative or Dal stating that he was going to guard our language learning time during this first year.

The Church Bells Peal

Before church started yesterday morning, I sat listening to the beautiful melody of "Majesty."  Then, from outside, the bells rang out announcing that the worship service was about to begin.  Because we are learning to rely on public transportation and because we live a pretty good distance from the Solunska Church, arriving on time has been somewhat challenging.  Typically we have been just outside of the building when the bells begin to ring, though last week we could hear them a few blocks away.  Yesterday was different.  We made it to church with plenty of time to spare.  Hearing the church bells peal while sitting and anticipating worship was quite satisfying.  We did not, on this day, hear the bells two blocks away while dragging little ones through rain and dodging puddles.For the first time since we've been here, the pastor did not preach.  In the U.S., this would have been no big deal, but as I was waiting for the pastor to get up and preach - I had learned to take notes from the projection screen and decipher later - it dawned on me that the man who was now speaking had not been making announcements for the past 15 minutes.  He was preaching!  And I hadn't been taking any notes.  Certain clues allowed me figure out that he was preaching from 1 Cor. 9:24-27.
When the service ended, a few of the men from the church came over to speak with me, including the pastor who expressed that he was looking forward to a meeting with the MTW team at Solunska that was scheduled for next week. I, too am looking forward to that meeting and I told him as much.  A man named George has made a point to speak to me every Sunday.  His English is quite good and so it has been nice that at least with George, my lack of Bulgarian has not created much of a communication barrier.  I try what little Bulgarian I know and he politely smiles.  He wished me a happy 4th of July and told me that he has two children living and working in the U.S.  A preacher from a near by town was in attendance.  His name is Emmanuel.  I enjoyed talking with him.  He invited us to visit his church after we have had time to settle in.  Sounds good.

It's my job!

A few days after settling in here in Bulgaria, Paul asked a very important question, "Dad, when are you going to go to work?"  My response was "I'm working right now!"  I think my answer was a bit confusing to a kid who remembers that when Dad worked before, he went somewhere - usually alone.  In as simple a way as I could, I explained my job to him, at least the first few objectives of the job.  I also thought that I should probably give an explanation to our supporters back home who are wondering what we are doing now that we are actually on the field.  For the first year my primary job is to learn the language.  There are a few options, but at least for now I am following the pattern of current team members.  I have hired a language instructor.  Her name is Elka.  She has a reputation for being tough, but her students learn.  What can I say? I love a good challenge. So far I have had two private sessions.  Elka has told me at the end of each session to do my homework and come back knowing the material "like a song."  I am praying that God would grant me favor in language learning.  The plan is to take four sessions per week.  We have not been able to nail down the schedule as of yet because Elka has responsibilities for a very sick cousin.  I would ask you to pray for healing and grace for him as you read this entry.  In addition to class time, I have ventured out and used the few phrases I know with people around me.  I have gotten help form cashiers and old men on buses.  Kids on the playground have taught me during soccer, sorry, football games in the courtyard.  I am also playing on a men's baseball team.  I have always loved baseball, but thought my playing days were long gone.  I have always felt at home on the diamond, but when the language is unfamiliar, I have found that even on the baseball field I feel a little disoriented.  So what does baseball have to do with my job?  One of my assignments from Elka is to find Bulgarians with whom I can speak Bulgarian.  The men who play baseball here play from sometime in April through September.  Not many show for practices, which are leisurely at best, but they have three scheduled days a week where they get together.  I am learning that you can speak Bulgarian or English on the baseball field.  For instance, on a pop up you can call "I got it!" or you can call out "Topka!"  which means ball.  While English is acceptable, Bulgarian is preferable and necessary at times, like when I was standing next to an open gate and everyone on the field including the umpire was yelling for me to close it.  None spoke in English.  I never understood them until I noticed a teammate pointing at the fence.  Then it made sense, "They want me to close the fence."  So I did.

Dave Culmer, along with many others on the team gave me this piece of advice.  "The most important thing you can do is learn the language and learn it well."  The point being that getting below the surface with Bulgarians, down to the heart issues, will require really understanding them and learning the subtlties of their words and expressions.  When I ask a Bulgarian how he is doing, the only answer I am currently prepared to hear is "Dobre/Good."  If he doesn't say "dobre," I won't understand. That's a problem and that's why language is my job this year, Paul. 

As for Susan, she will be teaching the younger two and teaching a class at SCA (school for missionary kids) as well. She too will be putting a lot of effort into language learning.  I have to show her how to access this blog so that she can share experiences from her perspective. Chao.

Worship at Solunska - Sofia, Bulgaria

Maybe you've heard this song before, but probably not like this, unless of course you live in Bulgaria.

A Video Worth Seeing

Click on the title above to learn a little about Joshua's school.  Who knows, maybe God could be calling you to serve missionary kids in the classroom.

We Are His Personal Concern

Yesterday we settled on a more permanant residence.  It is near the busiest bus stop in town.  There is plenty of room for visitors so y'all come!  This place was the 7th apartment we looked at since we've been here.  It was our favorite.  It had more room than most and was the best value.  All did not go smoothly, however.  We were reminded that we are living in a foreign land.  There was a problem accessing our money and a miscommunication at the real estate office.  Susan and I felt powerless to handle either situation.  Thank God that the miscommunication was worked out and everyone involved was very gracious in the matter.  We are still not completely sure about the other problem, but we were relieved to check at the end of the day and find that our account remains intact and secure.  Though the day brought us some anxiety, we rest well knowing that our God was not surprised by any of it and that we are his personal concern.

A Taste of Bulgaria

We have been in Bulgaria now for about 8 days.  The family is adjusting well.  We are over the jet lag and have a great team that has helped us with a lot of things that require knowledge of the Bulgarian language.  We have learned to use the public transportation system with only minor difficulties.  Our team made sure that Susan and I each had a cell phone right away.  This gave us confidence to get out on our own and explore the city.  I have been surprised to find that fewer people than I remembered speak english.  Still, when we are hungry and someone is selling food, a little thing like a language barrier is not going to get in our way.  Joshua was off at school.  Susan and I took Eli and Paul up to the produce market.  Behind the market there was a little deli that sold very little that I recognized.  I had learned one word that was helpful.  The Bulgarian word for stuffed peppers is chushski.  When I saw it, I said, "chushski" and held up two fingers.  The message was successfully delivered.  I pointed at a few other things and they were scooped up and put on a plate for me.  As I was getting ready to pay, a lady came in and ordered a sandwich.  The worker got a knife and scooped up a little sandwich spread and rubbed it across the inside of the bun.  I looked down at my plate and wondered if the worker thought it odd that I had just ordered a large spoonful of that same spread (a mayo or mustard equivalent) to be eaten by itself.  We did get some bread.  As it turns out, the unknown spread tastes pretty good with fresh bread.  No one went hungry that day, though we knew not what we ate.

What have Paul and Eli been doing in Glennville?

The time is drawing near

It has been a long time coming.  Three years of support-raising has led us to this point.  We have been saying goodbye to our church, family members, and dear friends.  I have been more emotional during this time than I can ever remember.  It has been hard, but God has been showing me that there is a blessing in tough goodbyes.  It is evidence of a connection.  Because we are going so far away and for a long time, I have felt the desire to let the people I love know exactly how I feel.  I have found that most of them have been just as open.  What a blessed man I am!  I know that Susan would ditto my comments here.

Coming up:  A few more goodbyes and then a long plane ride on Tuesday, the 25th.  Pray for our family as we travel and pray for the spread of the gospel in Bulgaria.

Our Visas Have Arrived

We got word yesterday from Susan's mom that our work visas have arrived and we have been approved to live and work in Bulgaria.  We are $600 a month short of our support goal.  When those pledges are received, we will be cleared to go.  Pray that support would come quickly. 

Dennis Barnard carries cross to honor Christ and raise support for Haiti

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Missions Conference Season

We are right now in the middle of the busy mission conference travel season - sometimes tired, but always glad to get an invite.  This season is a little different than some of the others however.  We are pretty much visiting churches for the second or third time, some supporting and some we hope and pray will.  Susan and I were talking a few days ago about how much more comfortable we have gotten and how much more we have been enjoying the conferences this time around.  From the very beginning, conferences have been extremely encouraging events.  We have been prayed for, loved on, and fed very well wherever we have gone.  The increased enjoyment has come from a growing awareness of the sense of community shared between God's people in all places.  We have discovered friends in places we've never been and we have come to look forward to these weekends for that reason.  Also, there was a fair amount of anxiety that went with not knowing what to expect.  We have been asked to speak for extended periods of time with diverse groups in some places and then for only a few minutes over an entire weekend at other places.  In short, the variety of speaking opportunities has made us much more flexible.  Susan has always been more comfortable rolling with the punches.  I on the other hand have had to grow a great deal in this area.
Tomorrow Susan and I will be heading to Chestnut Mountain and then to a couple of therapy conferences on back to back days.  Her parents, primarily her dad, have agreed to keep the kids this time around.  Churches like to see the whole family, but with all the travel, it made more sense to let the boys stay home this time.
Support Update:  We are about $500 per month in pledges short of our goal.  We are praying that the remainder of our support will come in by the time we receive our travel visas.  We applied in January.

Our Hearts are Knitted Together

Today ended a wonderful missions conference.  St. Andrews is our home church and it is always good to be with our friends there.  Scott Barber who was an elder at St. Andrews, left his law practice to answer the call to be a pastor.  Upon graduating from seminary, he and his family moved to Florence, Al.  where he is pastoring a church.  He was the keynote speaker for our conference.  In addition to being a gifted teacher/preacher, he brought with him a history of growing and living amongst us for many years.  He spoke of the freedom he experienced in his law practice when it became clear that he was not going to be practicing law much longer.  He said that it was when he got to the point of not worrying about losing his practice that he began to practice law as it was meant to be done.  Of course this is a reference to something Jesus said in Matthew 16: "Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it."  Scott talked about teams that play "scared" or "not to lose."  He had many great things to say, but this was the point that stuck with me most.  Susan and I talked about it after leaving the church.  I had to admit that I often "play scared" when I should be living this christian life with great boldness.  The clearest example of that over the past few years was how timidly I have approached support-raising.  However, God has been gracious and He has continued to raise up supporters nonetheless.  It was great to see all of our friends and worship with them.  God has without question knitted our hearts to theirs.  It is always hard to leave.