I finished my work in the house, so headed out to the shop to see if there was any way I could help my son with what will definitely be the hardest part of letting go of the place that’s been home for the last ten years. He wasn’t cleaning, but working on just one … More Scraps
There are some moments in life you never forget. They become embedded pictures in your mind, even when the details grow fuzzy. My first visit to an African marketplace did it for me. The year was 1986. Only a few months in the capital city of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, a friend took me to the … More First Impressions
We expect trouble. We can’t avoid it. Jesus even told us, “in this world, you will have tribulation.” That’s the nature of living in a fallen world, the nature of sinful man. The problem is when it comes from the sinner saved by grace. We’re supposed to be new creations in Christ, so why do we … More Internal Bleeding
As an introvert, I have friends and then I have friends, and I’m always amazed at how the Lord provides those friends to pour into my life at just the right time. This is what I’ve experienced in the past weeks, and I’m grateful to his provision. I have decided that being involved in overseas ministry is a … More You Need a Friend
I can’t decide if I should call this post, “The Maiden Voyage,” or “The Voyage of the Maiden.” Either one works, as I recall my first overseas flight. I was a mere 22-year-old maiden. The year was 1986, long before cell-phones or the internet or even fax machines. The Dark Ages, for most of you … More The Maiden Voyage
These hot, lazy days of summer make it so easy to just do nothing. It’s like the month of Ramadan for my Muslim friends. You’re not eating, the energy level decreases and sleep comes easy. Sluggish is a good word for this kind of feeling. Being raised by parents who grew up in the days … More Provoked
I know the verse, but obviously I’m not very good at applying it: But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…* Preparation is important. I know when I’m heading to a board … More Unprepared
I had an exercise in remembrance recently, as I went through some old journals and notebooks. While thumbing through notes taken during a college retreat back in 1984, the Lord reminded me of an encounter with a very unique woman. She was the main speaker, and I remember her talk as I look at a … More She made a difference
Writing is nothing new. From the earliest days, the Creator God encouraged men to write: Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down these words…”* This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:…”Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.”* Generations later, four men wrote their perspectives as … More The Writing Journey #3: Why I write
I had a friend ask me recently what ministry looks like when you have young children. I think the picture says it all. David and Nathan were six and three when this was taken in Tunisia. Raouf and I weren’t in the picture, because we’re in the house teaching a marriage class to couples, the other … More Families Reaching Families
