I borrowed that line from Jude Law in "The Holiday". Lately I cry at the drop of a hat. A good show, a sad commercial, a students football video during Talent Share day, showing pictures of my niece to a complete stranger, and when anyone hangs up the phone with me. I knew it would be hard to leave but the tearful moments are coming at strange times. I know this is part of the process and I am really trying to get a grip on the tears.
We are blessed by the technology age. Global communication is much easier, faster, and accessible to the masses. In my preparations for Peru I find comfort that goodbye isn't goodbye forever. Skype is free, Vonage is affordable, and Facebook is...well, the same.
I have loved hearing about missionaries from the time I was a little girl in Mission Friends and GA's (all you Southern Baptist girls will feel me on this). Along with the Great Commission (which is enough on it's own) many quiet times, people, books, talks, and sermons have influenced my heart for missions. Nothing has impacted me more than the letter I heard read from the pulpit one Sunday morning when the pastor was talking about missions. I will never forget the day that I heard a beautiful letter written to a father by his daughters betrothed.
"I have now to ask, whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world; whether you can consent to her departure for a heathen land, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of a missionary life; whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean; to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India; to every kind of want and distress; to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death. Can you consent to all this, for the sake of Him who left his heavenly home, and died for her and for you; for the sake of perishing immortal souls; for the sake of Zion, and the glory of God? Can you consent to all this, in hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with a crown of righteousness, brightened by the acclamations of praise which shall redound to her Savior from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair?"
This was a portion of the letter Adaniram Judson wrote Anne Hasseltine's father to ask for her hand in marriage. After hearing a little bit about their lives that Sunday I decided I needed to hear more. I bought two books on their ministry and lives. I highly recommend "My Heart in His Hands" the memoirs of Anne Judson. Anne and Adaniram Judson lead amazing selfless missional lives to the Glory of God. Imagine the tears her family shed as she prepared to go on the field. Some missionaries didn't survive the month long boat ride to where they were going to serve. All I have to do is take a 7 hr plane ride. When I think of what missions was like then and what it is now I wonder if any of us would have been willing. Even with the ease in communication and travel may we never take for granted what the call to serve means, laying down your life. May we all understand the call to spread the Gospel of Christ and the RADICAL life style that it requires no matter our location in the world.
"When we realize we have a responsibility to teach the Word, it changes everything about how we hear the Word... God's word is being multiplied because the people of God are no longer listening as if his Word is intended to stop with them. They are now living as if God's Word is intended to spread through them." David Platt RADICAL
Blessings
Trip pics!
10 years ago
