Leaving vs. Arriving

I was just thinking of the process we're going through of preparing to leave Colbert after all these years. A song from the dim, distant past by Mark Lindsey came to mind. I'm not sure of the title but the first line is, "I'm leavin' on a jet plane. Don't know when I'll be back again." That's what we'll be doing in just a few days. We leave Spokane in about ten days and leave for Asia just about a week after that. What used to be months became weeks and now has become days.

Tonight my grandson told us that he wishes we weren't leaving. I've known that statement might come, but I'd put it out of my mind. There have been some other folk who have mentioned the same sentiment - they hate to see us leave the church. We're deep into the process of leaving. We've said good-byes to some and will have our closing service this coming Sunday. As we planned the music together it was a challenge to limit the songs we chose. We could have filled up the service with messages through the songs. There is so much to say and so little time to say it. We want to get the good-byes said, but we also have a message to convey - it's not about us. It's about Jesus. He is all important and if you haven't received him there is no higher priority than meeting him.

I wrote that we're deep into leaving. Part of the struggle is that "arriving" won't occur for some time. When it comes we'll be into the deep end in the blink of an eye. As leaving is full of good-byes, so arriving will be full of hellos. We've met many of the people we'll work with. We've seen the facilities we'll work and live in. I think that the arriving part will be fun even though it will be stressful. Leaving? That will be something else.

There have been so many changes in our world since the old days when missionaries left for the field and everyone knew they may never return. Travel was slow and dangerous. These days travel is rapid and relatively safe. There are uncertainties in various parts of the world, but those are the exception - not the rule. Good judgement and careful planning go a long way in producing a safe and pleasant trip. (Has it ever been otherwise?) We'll (hopefully) have the convenience of the Internet to maintain contact with family and friends. We might be able to use a telephone or Skype and even see the person we're talking to. We won't be cut off from those close to us. PTL.

I've been told many times (at least three times just today) that people are in awe of what we're doing. (Some actually add, "at your age.") I don't understand those comments. We're just doing what we've said anyone ought to do: if God calls, do what he says. That's what Mary, Jesus' mother told the servant at the wedding Jesus attended. They were short on the wine for the party and Mary told the servant, "Do whatever he tells you." There has never been better advise given by a mother. There is no better advice period!

For whatever reason God has chosen to use us in Central Asia. In my limited understanding there are many others much, much more qualified to take on this responsibility. We're clear, however, that He has chosen us. We're humbled and challenged. Our decision is just the natural outgrowth of all the things we've taught over these many years. Either we believe them and put them into practice or we don't. It wasn't our goal, but if we're a model of obedience and others take some step of "venturing" out for God, that would be great.