Looking Back

Several hundred books have passed through my hands this week, as I packed up our school library. There were books that Jan would read to the kids at bedtime; others that became treasured friends. Some books took us on exciting journeys to far away places. Still others stimulated family discussions and aroused academic interests. It’s been tough closing Moses Academy, yet I’m dearly grateful for the special students it graduated.

Today I packed up our wedding dishes, still looking good despite nearly 30 years of wear. We are still using some of Jan’s old pots and pans that she had from her years as a ranger for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Then there were the Scripture plaques that hung on our walls, reminding us that “Without faith it is impossible to please Him”, “The joy of the Lord is our strength”, and “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established, and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”

There has been time to reflect on the past 4 years. I rejoice for the nearly 300 who have been baptized, for the many house churches we have seen born, for the faithfulness of my team and our church leaders. Most of all, I’m excited to see real changes in the lives of those who “count all things as loss for the sake of knowing Christ.”

And most recently, Martha volunteered for 4 weeks in one of our local hospitals, experiencing first-hand the work of a nurse in an Asian setting and observing surgeries, ICU management, and neonatal care. As a result, Martha is sensing that the Lord may be leading her to become a Physicians Assistant, which would require further medical school training after she becomes a Registered Nurse.

And then there’s Jonathan. He called me last week, sharing that the management of the Baptist Camp where is working this summer has promoted him from intern to summer staff and have asked him to return next year. My little boy (who is taller than me now) whom I worried about, wondering how he would handle work and responsibility, seems to have done good. I am blessed.

So, next week, Martha and I fly to Texas. Our little Philippine school house will be closed, the excitement of ministry will be left behind, and the joys of partnering with the Lord on the front lines of His kingdom will hopefully continue when I return next year, Lord willing.