This past week we were able to gather together with our fellow teachers from all over Central Europe to celebrate Thanksgiving in a very small town about ninety minutes southeast of Prague. It was a great time to decompress from the tensions of teaching and being so far from home for the holiday. Typically when we do this type of thing, our group is the only one there and we have the run of the place. This time though, there was a group sharing our retreat center. It was a group called Hands of Hope and they were here with a group of about twenty-five or thirty orphans.
The kids arrived around 4pm on Friday and we knew instantly by the stark change in the volume level of the retreat center. We heard the high pitched sound of little voices bouncing off the walls. It is always adorable to hear little ones speak in a different language.
I got my first look at them at dinner that evening. They were various ages and sizes, and were all eager to get something to eat. I was instantly touched at the sight. So many little children that society does not want, yet they seemed so happy just to be there. I have always been amazed at the resiliency of the spirit of a child. As I watched them heap too much food on their plates, I was stricken with a heavy sadness as I thought to myself, "Why does no one want them?" It burdened me for the rest of the evening.
Later that night, Tonya and I were sitting in the lobby and a little boy walked in with a whistle. "Look," he said proudly, "I have a whistle." He proceeded to blow out an impossibly bad song. "Wow!" we said, being supportive. He smiled and ran away. It was one of the sweetest things I have ever seen.
As I got up this morning, a thought occurred to me. Someone does want them. Though they may never have an earthly mother or father, there is a Heavenly Father who wants to know them desperately and has not forgotten them. It gave me another reason to be thankful this holiday season. God, in his infinite wisdom, mercy, and love, did not leave me as an orphan, when I was fatherless in my sin. To Him be the glory.
As some of you know, Tonya and I have applied to adopt from China. We continue to wait patiently for God's perfect timing to be completed. I wish we had more news to share about that, but the wheels of bureaucracy turn slowly.
Lastly, I want to wish everyone back home a very Happy Thanksgiving! We love you and miss you.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Who Do You Think to Thank?
It's November again, a time when everyone in the USA remembers to be thankful for at least a little while. Not that we aren't thankful at other points of the year, but this month gives us a chance to specifically focus on our blessings. That will be my focus this week.
1. My wife. Tonya has been a source of strength for me for our entire marriage (eleven years for those who are curious). During our time here in Prague, she has consistently provided with with support and encouragement, along with godly counsel. She is one in six billion.
2. Our teammates. We have a special group of young women who also work with us here in Prague. They are funny, reliable, dedicated, quirky, humble, and generally remarkable in every way. They don't get a tenth of the credit they deserve, and they don't ask for it.
3. Our friends and supporters back home. We get emails, Facebook messages, financial support, Words With Friends games, packages, and most importantly, prayers from all of our friends back home and we are eternally grateful for it. Without that support, we would not be able to do this. We love you all.
4. Our family. You all have loved and supported us through the entire process of deciding to come overseas. All of our old stuff is cluttering your houses and you don't even care. We are so blessed to be the recipients of your love and support through cards and packages. We know you pray for us daily and we feel your prayers and are encouraged to continue forward by them.
5. Our former basketball players. The young women you have turned out to be and are becoming has blessed our hearts beyond measure. We know that God has a perfect plan for all of you. Being your coaches was the most fun we ever had. Know that we pray for you and that we are here if you need us in any capacity.
6. Above all, Christ. His extended hand is never out of our reach. He is our rock and our fortress. May our lives be a blessing and a testimony to Him whose grace is sufficient for our weaknesses. Thank you Lord for choosing us to play this small part in your Kingdom.
We have many other things to be thankful for, some of which have not yet been finalized. I hope to bring more good news to you in the coming weeks.
1. My wife. Tonya has been a source of strength for me for our entire marriage (eleven years for those who are curious). During our time here in Prague, she has consistently provided with with support and encouragement, along with godly counsel. She is one in six billion.
2. Our teammates. We have a special group of young women who also work with us here in Prague. They are funny, reliable, dedicated, quirky, humble, and generally remarkable in every way. They don't get a tenth of the credit they deserve, and they don't ask for it.
3. Our friends and supporters back home. We get emails, Facebook messages, financial support, Words With Friends games, packages, and most importantly, prayers from all of our friends back home and we are eternally grateful for it. Without that support, we would not be able to do this. We love you all.
4. Our family. You all have loved and supported us through the entire process of deciding to come overseas. All of our old stuff is cluttering your houses and you don't even care. We are so blessed to be the recipients of your love and support through cards and packages. We know you pray for us daily and we feel your prayers and are encouraged to continue forward by them.
5. Our former basketball players. The young women you have turned out to be and are becoming has blessed our hearts beyond measure. We know that God has a perfect plan for all of you. Being your coaches was the most fun we ever had. Know that we pray for you and that we are here if you need us in any capacity.
6. Above all, Christ. His extended hand is never out of our reach. He is our rock and our fortress. May our lives be a blessing and a testimony to Him whose grace is sufficient for our weaknesses. Thank you Lord for choosing us to play this small part in your Kingdom.
We have many other things to be thankful for, some of which have not yet been finalized. I hope to bring more good news to you in the coming weeks.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Be careful what you answer...
A saying hangs in our flat in Prague as a reminder to trust, yet how quickly things are forgotten in a moment of panic or desperation. The saying goes, "Sometimes God answers prayers the way we would pray them if we knew what He knows."
While in Italy for Fall break, we were often forced to stop and ask for help. We needed help from strangers for directions, from bus drivers (for getting off at the correct stop since they are often not labeled), or help with communication in general.
The last night that we were there, we we found ourselves in yet another one of these situations… Our hotel was a good hour outside of Milan so by the time we caught the train, we were way too late to get the last bus to take us to our hotel. It was around 11:00p.m. and we were quickly running out of time, patience, and options.
We considered walking, but we had no map and no way to figure out exactly where we were in the dark. After about thirty minutes of trying this or that, we finally decided a taxi was our only option (easier said than done). We headed toward the centre of town looking for a familiar car with a lit up sign on top. At this point we were willing to pay the overpriced fare.
Cars were indeed everywhere and we were on a busy street, but no familiar yellow taxi was to be found. We finally asked a police officer where to go and he suggested the train station (back where we had started). By this time, we were sure that our hotel booking had been canceled (considering check-in was between 3 and 10p.m. and it was now hitting midnight). The situation was looking grim and I was praying for a cab (any cab) to pass by. After back tracking to the train station expecting a line of yellow cabs, we were sorely disappointed to find a very quiet street. The only sign of life was a group of "scary" men standing near the bus stop that was no longer an option.
I don't remember how it happened exactly but somehow (maybe because we looked confused) we began talking to the group of "scary looking" men. We were trying to ask them which direction we needed to go. They kept asking us where we were trying to get to, what our hotel street was, what the phone number was. We even tried calling the hotel to get better directions to help with our explanation but there was no answer. No one seemed to know where the hotel was and we were beginning to think it wasn't a real place. We knew the general area that the hotel was in (near the arena), so finally one of the guys told us that he'd take us to the area and ask if anyone knew the hotel.
We were now in the hands of a stranger from Ghana named Ben. Ben was a funny guy, that had we seen under different circumstances, at a very different hour of the day, we'd probably never even have met him or spoken to him. But at this point, we were desperate. Getting in an unmarked car at midnight with a "shady homeless looking" man you just met doesn't exactly inspire confidence. Again, we were desperate.
What I'd asked for in my prayer was a taxi and in my mind the answer was a little yellow car with a lit up sign on top and a driver that would know all about our hotel and we'd be there in five to ten minutes tops. What I got was a small, dark, messy car (no sign on top) with a driver named Ben that had no idea where we needed to go. We must have stopped five different times to get out of the car or yell at passerbys asking directions from anyone and everyone. Once we even picked up a drunk man at a bar who was sure to take us directly to the place, only to find out that it was the wrong place.
We finally convinced Ben to go back to the landmark that we were sure our hotel was near. In the end, we spotted the street name ourselves. Ben insisted on staying with us until we contacted the hotel owner because he didn't want us to be stranded. When we finally arrived around 2a.m. we asked Ben how much he wanted for hauling us around and he just said,"Whatever you want to give me."
I wouldn't always recommend getting into a car with a random stranger, but on this particular night I learned an important lesson. I was willing to pay some yellow cab stranger whatever he wanted in order to find our hotel but God answered my prayer with an unmarked car and an unofficial taxi driver that didn't even ask for a specific amount of money.
I had answered God's prayer for Him in my own mind and I'd judged the answer that He gave me when it didn't match mine. I still don't know much about Ben other than he left Ghana because of the conflicts there but I do know that he was an answer to prayer.
…maybe Ben needed the money that we ended up paying him (sounded like he'd been out of work for awhile); maybe we just needed a reminder to trust God; or maybe this was another example of why you shouldn't judge others based on preconceived notions. Whatever the reason, thank God for the kindness of strangers.
While in Italy for Fall break, we were often forced to stop and ask for help. We needed help from strangers for directions, from bus drivers (for getting off at the correct stop since they are often not labeled), or help with communication in general.
The last night that we were there, we we found ourselves in yet another one of these situations… Our hotel was a good hour outside of Milan so by the time we caught the train, we were way too late to get the last bus to take us to our hotel. It was around 11:00p.m. and we were quickly running out of time, patience, and options.
We considered walking, but we had no map and no way to figure out exactly where we were in the dark. After about thirty minutes of trying this or that, we finally decided a taxi was our only option (easier said than done). We headed toward the centre of town looking for a familiar car with a lit up sign on top. At this point we were willing to pay the overpriced fare.
Cars were indeed everywhere and we were on a busy street, but no familiar yellow taxi was to be found. We finally asked a police officer where to go and he suggested the train station (back where we had started). By this time, we were sure that our hotel booking had been canceled (considering check-in was between 3 and 10p.m. and it was now hitting midnight). The situation was looking grim and I was praying for a cab (any cab) to pass by. After back tracking to the train station expecting a line of yellow cabs, we were sorely disappointed to find a very quiet street. The only sign of life was a group of "scary" men standing near the bus stop that was no longer an option.
I don't remember how it happened exactly but somehow (maybe because we looked confused) we began talking to the group of "scary looking" men. We were trying to ask them which direction we needed to go. They kept asking us where we were trying to get to, what our hotel street was, what the phone number was. We even tried calling the hotel to get better directions to help with our explanation but there was no answer. No one seemed to know where the hotel was and we were beginning to think it wasn't a real place. We knew the general area that the hotel was in (near the arena), so finally one of the guys told us that he'd take us to the area and ask if anyone knew the hotel.
We were now in the hands of a stranger from Ghana named Ben. Ben was a funny guy, that had we seen under different circumstances, at a very different hour of the day, we'd probably never even have met him or spoken to him. But at this point, we were desperate. Getting in an unmarked car at midnight with a "shady homeless looking" man you just met doesn't exactly inspire confidence. Again, we were desperate.
What I'd asked for in my prayer was a taxi and in my mind the answer was a little yellow car with a lit up sign on top and a driver that would know all about our hotel and we'd be there in five to ten minutes tops. What I got was a small, dark, messy car (no sign on top) with a driver named Ben that had no idea where we needed to go. We must have stopped five different times to get out of the car or yell at passerbys asking directions from anyone and everyone. Once we even picked up a drunk man at a bar who was sure to take us directly to the place, only to find out that it was the wrong place.
We finally convinced Ben to go back to the landmark that we were sure our hotel was near. In the end, we spotted the street name ourselves. Ben insisted on staying with us until we contacted the hotel owner because he didn't want us to be stranded. When we finally arrived around 2a.m. we asked Ben how much he wanted for hauling us around and he just said,"Whatever you want to give me."
I wouldn't always recommend getting into a car with a random stranger, but on this particular night I learned an important lesson. I was willing to pay some yellow cab stranger whatever he wanted in order to find our hotel but God answered my prayer with an unmarked car and an unofficial taxi driver that didn't even ask for a specific amount of money.
I had answered God's prayer for Him in my own mind and I'd judged the answer that He gave me when it didn't match mine. I still don't know much about Ben other than he left Ghana because of the conflicts there but I do know that he was an answer to prayer.
…maybe Ben needed the money that we ended up paying him (sounded like he'd been out of work for awhile); maybe we just needed a reminder to trust God; or maybe this was another example of why you shouldn't judge others based on preconceived notions. Whatever the reason, thank God for the kindness of strangers.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Romeo and Juliet
It has been a while! We had the blessing of a full week of fall break. We took advantage of it! Here is a highlight.
We spent the week in Italy. I think one moment really stood out to me more than any other. Among all the beautiful locations, among the churches and weathered remains of castles, we met an old man as he was walking up a hill towards the Castle of St. Peter in Verona. He was walking slowly but purposefully. He was pumping his arms the way a soldier would as he marched in a parade, if the marching was done at an impossibly slow pace. As he spotted us sitting there catching our breaths from our long walk, he smiled and offered us a "bonjourno." We reciprocated, causing him to rattle off some indecipherable Italian. We smiled and offered our apologies, as we don't speak Italian. He gestured toward the window overhead and said what I am pretty sure amounted to "watch this" and then called out. He put his hand to his ear and then waited. After a moment, a woman came to the window and answered. They talked for a bit and then he walked to the door of the building and left us with an "arrividerci." It was like we had just watched Romeo call to his Juliet (after all we were in Verona). It was romantic and beautiful and the thought of having someone to answer your call at that age warmed our hearts.
Then I was reminded of the God who is always there to answer our call, even if we don't realize we are calling out to Him at the time. It is the peace that comes with that thought that confirms in me why I trust in Christ for salvation. He is both Romeo and Juliet. Calling to us to come to Him to free us from ourselves, and answering us when we realize this and call out to Him for that freedom. I am often amazed at the moments that God chooses to speak to me. I thought I was simply going on vacation.
We spent the week in Italy. I think one moment really stood out to me more than any other. Among all the beautiful locations, among the churches and weathered remains of castles, we met an old man as he was walking up a hill towards the Castle of St. Peter in Verona. He was walking slowly but purposefully. He was pumping his arms the way a soldier would as he marched in a parade, if the marching was done at an impossibly slow pace. As he spotted us sitting there catching our breaths from our long walk, he smiled and offered us a "bonjourno." We reciprocated, causing him to rattle off some indecipherable Italian. We smiled and offered our apologies, as we don't speak Italian. He gestured toward the window overhead and said what I am pretty sure amounted to "watch this" and then called out. He put his hand to his ear and then waited. After a moment, a woman came to the window and answered. They talked for a bit and then he walked to the door of the building and left us with an "arrividerci." It was like we had just watched Romeo call to his Juliet (after all we were in Verona). It was romantic and beautiful and the thought of having someone to answer your call at that age warmed our hearts.
Then I was reminded of the God who is always there to answer our call, even if we don't realize we are calling out to Him at the time. It is the peace that comes with that thought that confirms in me why I trust in Christ for salvation. He is both Romeo and Juliet. Calling to us to come to Him to free us from ourselves, and answering us when we realize this and call out to Him for that freedom. I am often amazed at the moments that God chooses to speak to me. I thought I was simply going on vacation.
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