Be Patient

Quick stop in DC on roadtrip

You ever notice how some lessons are applicable to so many areas of life? 

Our daughter’s second cousin was watching her do some of her school work this week. “Wow! She writes a lot! And she’s fast!” I flashed back to a few years earlier when our same daughter sat complaining about writing a single sentence. I remember telling her then— “It’s hard now, but if you keep practicing, it will get easier, you’ll be able to do more and it will be easy!” I told her 2nd cousin something similar— he’s three years younger, but someday he’ll be writing just as well as her. He just has to be patient and keep practicing.

I feel like this theme of being patient, going slow and building up endurance keeps popping up.

First there was talking to the groups of people preparing to go to Africa for the first time. We were reminded about how learning to trust in God is something we often have to grow in. We trust Him in little things and ultimately learn to trust Him in big things. The same with prayer. Sometimes praying for more than a few minutes seems daunting, but if we make a point of growing in that area soon the idea of praying for hours can be exciting instead of exhausting.

Dream come true-- dinosaur bones "in person"

There was also road trips. When we first did an hour-long trip with the kids, they complained about being in the car “so long!” Then we went up to Maine (multiple hours). Then we went to Ohio (multi-day road trip). We just finished our road trip all the way down to Florida and back and our kids talked about 4 hours in the car as “that’s not that long!”

Then there’s my back— physical therapy goes slowly. I’m asked to do an exercise that looks easy enough but I can’t do it without the “bad” kind of pain and so I am forced to start with an even simpler, easier exercise. Then there is even the exercises themselves— my body isn’t used to them so I have to go slowly and get used to holding the right muscles tight. It takes patience.

Talking with so many people brings back memories of other things we have had to patiently grow in:  Learning the island language and understanding island culture.  Learning to play an instrument.  Learning to drive stick and all the embarrassing moments of stalling out at stop lights.  Seeing students slowly learn to speak English.  Watching Island English teachers learn how to be engaging with their students.  Seeing friendships deepen over time.  Seeing lives changed by the truth and yet slowly growing in wisdom and maturity. 

Kids and Lincoln

I confess that there are times I wish we could just skip the waiting and the slow building of endurance and get to the end-result. Don’t all the ads tell us that we deserve things faster? Faster is better, right? Instant gratification!  Don’t wait!  Get it now.  But sometimes fast isn’t the best, sometimes it isn’t even possible.  I guess there was an ad way back then that got it right.  Do you remember the slogan “The best things come to those who wait?”  Of course, then they put the ketchup in a squeeze bottle.  I guess they couldn’t wait for it after all.

But seriously, much of what we hope for our kids, for the islands, for ourselves, even for the world requires waiting, requires patience. There will be days of discouragement but we hold on to our hope and keeping moving forward.

Psalm 27:13-14
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

PRAYERS ANSWERED
Our huge road trip is over! Thirteen states over 18 days! It went well. We are thankful for how well the kids did, for all the wonderful weather, for safety on the road and for all the family and friends we were able to see. We are thankful for how well Megan’s back did— the road trip was not a setback and we continue to wait patiently for continued improvement.  We are so thankful for all the people we were able to see and hope that they were as blessed to see us as we were to see them!

PRAYERS REQUESTED
At the offices in GA we were able to get a clearer idea of where we stand financially. Pray that we would have the financial supporters we need to make up for the monthly shortfall we have. We also met some potential new members for our team.  Pray that God would send the right people to join us!  Megan has an appointment with a surgeon to consult about the possibility of pursuing surgery for her back. Continue to pray for healing for her back and for a clear way forward. We pray for a great Thanksgiving for everyone and that we would truly have grateful hearts. We continue to pray for our teammate as she leaves to return to the islands soon.  No new news on the visa situation, but no news might well be good news…