Friends and family
Today is a slow day here. We're going to try to get some of our boys together today for some hitting practice because we think there is an upcoming tournament that we might be able to take part in. It's cool to be able to input into these kids lives. And it's not like a Sunday School class or anything...it's just being with them, interjecting Biblical truths whenever possible given the context of whatever is going on, and doing what we can to be Jesus to them.
Sometimes...maybe even often...missionaries feel a sense of loneliness. It might come and go at times, while other times it sticks around and is tough to deal with. There are countless books written on the subject. I can say firsthand that it is extremely difficult being so far away from family. And that's just during the normal times of life...not mentioning how it feels when going through struggles.
An awesome thing that so often occurs, though, is God providing friends and "temporary family" for missionaries wherever they are. Maybe those will be nationals or other missionaries. We're not here with any team members but we do enjoy great friendships with some other American missionaries from different organizations. They are a great support and encouragement to us...especially as we've struggled with all of the adoption stuff.
From the national, Polish, side I'm sometimes amazed at the love we are shown by various people. Yesterday a Polish friend came over and just sat and talked with me for about 2.5 hours. He'd called the night before and just asked if he could stop by and hang out with me for awhile. He knew I needed it. He knew I needed to just talk and hang, get my mind off all the craziness. During that time he said so much to encourage me and to help me feel his love for me and my family, as well as conveying to me the love our church has for us. It was an incredibly loving gesture...one that didn't cost him much at all, yet meant a lot to me.
In the midst of everything God provides. He really does. He's faithful to His Word time and time again...maybe even especially in those times when it seems unlikely that everything He says can really be true. I'm thankful to Him for His care of me and my family...for the strength He gives...for the grace and mercy showered on us when we feel like we can't take another step...for the people He has placed in our lives (both in the states and here) that He uses to lift us up and support our shaky legs.
You all know that taking pictures is something that I love to do...something that calms my heart. So, I took a few shots of Cosmo this morning and thought I'd post one.
Hope to have some new today...we'll see!!
Sometimes...maybe even often...missionaries feel a sense of loneliness. It might come and go at times, while other times it sticks around and is tough to deal with. There are countless books written on the subject. I can say firsthand that it is extremely difficult being so far away from family. And that's just during the normal times of life...not mentioning how it feels when going through struggles.
An awesome thing that so often occurs, though, is God providing friends and "temporary family" for missionaries wherever they are. Maybe those will be nationals or other missionaries. We're not here with any team members but we do enjoy great friendships with some other American missionaries from different organizations. They are a great support and encouragement to us...especially as we've struggled with all of the adoption stuff.
From the national, Polish, side I'm sometimes amazed at the love we are shown by various people. Yesterday a Polish friend came over and just sat and talked with me for about 2.5 hours. He'd called the night before and just asked if he could stop by and hang out with me for awhile. He knew I needed it. He knew I needed to just talk and hang, get my mind off all the craziness. During that time he said so much to encourage me and to help me feel his love for me and my family, as well as conveying to me the love our church has for us. It was an incredibly loving gesture...one that didn't cost him much at all, yet meant a lot to me.
In the midst of everything God provides. He really does. He's faithful to His Word time and time again...maybe even especially in those times when it seems unlikely that everything He says can really be true. I'm thankful to Him for His care of me and my family...for the strength He gives...for the grace and mercy showered on us when we feel like we can't take another step...for the people He has placed in our lives (both in the states and here) that He uses to lift us up and support our shaky legs.
You all know that taking pictures is something that I love to do...something that calms my heart. So, I took a few shots of Cosmo this morning and thought I'd post one.
Hope to have some new today...we'll see!!
posted by Michael Shattuck at
4:16 AM
1 Comments:
It's called the Ministry of Presence...A tremendous gift to weary followers.
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