My current job, to walk alongside parents whose young adults are on the mission field, was born from launching my own daughter to go around the world several years ago. That life experience gave me the compassion I need to do my job. I have the honor of helping parents release their kids, and I … Continue reading Before and After
World Race
And the Rain Came
We went to Asia in the dry season. Cold once the sun went down, and delightfully sunny and warm during the day, and because it is the dry season, there wasn’t a cloud in sight. Layering was the key to being comfortable temperature wise, but one morning we woke to an overcast sky. The sun … Continue reading And the Rain Came
Every Tribe and Tongue
One of the things I most love in my travels is worshiping God with others who are different from me. The cultures, the languages, the music, it is all so very unusual and rings distinctively in my ears. The differences cause me to step out of my comfort zone and they wake me up … Continue reading Every Tribe and Tongue
Badge of Honor
I am a planner. When I travel, my planning skill manifests in arriving at the airport extra early. Whereas Bill would slide in on two wheels 20 minutes before take-off, I want to be there an hour before the two hours they recommend, “just in case.” When I lead trips for my work we … Continue reading Badge of Honor
The One
In Ethiopia, our host Glenda, did a devotional time each morning before we went out. She has amazing insight into scripture and her time with us was always in preparation for what we would be doing. One day, when we were going out into the village to visit widows and orphans, she talked about how … Continue reading The One
Creation’s Song
Creation speaks to me. Always has. The smallest flower, the highest mountain…all of it is inspiring to me because it points me to the one I love, who loves me. Rain is my love language. The moon is my muse. The thing about nature is it is rarely silent. There is always a song. In … Continue reading Creation’s Song
The Widows and the Orphans
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress. James 1:27 The ministry we partnered with, HopEthiopia, uses James 1:27 as the core scripture on which their vision is built. Rather than an institutionalized orphanage, they have what is called a Children’s Village on their property. The … Continue reading The Widows and the Orphans
The Power of Story
Story is defined as an account of past events in someone's life or in the evolution of something. A good story has complex characters, action that builds, an exciting storyline, and surprising plot twists. We don’t often think of our lives as a story, but they are, which is why great stories resonate with us. Whether … Continue reading The Power of Story
Entering Ethiopia
Making our way from the city of Addis Ababa landed us in traffic which resembles chaos. Vehicles of all kinds weaving in and out cutting one another off makes for a hair-raising ride. It is easier to trust the driver and look away. Gazing out the window gives more understanding of this place anyway. There … Continue reading Entering Ethiopia
Circle of Light
It is amazing to me how little light it takes to shatter darkness. The smallest spark creates a point of light where once there was none. Then the spark lights a candle which, when it begins to burn, provides a circle of light. Each candle carries its own arch, and as it travels down the … Continue reading Circle of Light