Hugs from afar

One of the hardest things about living in a far away land is the distance between our friends and family and us. No matter how much or how little we may have prepared for it, it is unbelievably hard. Yet the modern world has eased this anxiety considerably with technological online marvels such as Skype, an internet phone where people can talk for free to each other online. When one considers that in the old days (I shan't call them good) missionaries heard from their families once a year or less due to vast distances and slow postal service, it is remarkable at how connected we are today.

Yet just because one can stay electronically connected does not ease the loss of physical contact. And whether our 'connected' world remembers or not, we are all physical people who need physical contact, especially with those we know and are known by. One under-emphasized item regarding one's decision to live overseas is the effect it has on those who are staying behind, those who had no say in the matter and are supposed to gamely surrender to "God's will" for their sibling's, child's, grandchild's or friend's life. What about them? How are parents supposed to cope with such a "death", realizing that their children or grandchildren are far from driving distance, from physical contact, an ocean (or two) away?

Let me suggest a good dose of community as a possible beginning. We have been amazed at the love poured out upon Renée's parents and brother by their church and community in rural Oklahoma. Their youth group has stayed in regular contact with our girls and even relayed "trans-Atlantic hugs" from us to them. Through creative ways their community has helped them through an incredibly difficult time, a time when their only grandchildren are thousands of miles away. They have received encouragement, love, consolation, and affirmation upon God's mysterious ways with His (and their) children.

The picture above was taken today, after a weary postal worker delivered seemingly dozens of birthday cards to our mailbox. Yes, my darling bride turned a stunningly beautiful 40 on April 12 and her parents' church and friends gave Renée a trans-Atlantic card shower. Why? Because they desired to minister, not necessarily to Renée, but to Renée's parents, as if to say, "We are in this with you."

With so much being said today  in church and mission talk about "community", let me suggest that perhaps we can learn from folks in a small Oklahoma town on how to do it. Perhaps the beginning of community is not talking about community, but simply doing it. Community is simply being there for people because they are, well, people. And community can help somebody through a dark, lonely, and confusing time; one hug and card at a time. On both sides of the Atlantic. --MM✙

Comments

[Gary Hodges]

Here's a hug for all of you! Happy B'day, Renee!

BTW - thanks for the encouragement regarding the devaluation of the dollar. NOT!

Love you guys.

Blessings - Gary and Beth

[Renee]

Elim Church--named after the place of rest for the journeying Israelites in Exodus.

[Linda]

Happy Belated Birthday Renee. I hope your day was filled with fun as you all were celebrating your life.

[David Hentschel]

Michael,

By the way, what does the Swedish name of your church, "Elim Kyrkan" mean in English?

[Elyce Leines]

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK, K-UUUUUUUUUUUUUUU (can you hear the chant??)!! We were SO excited to see the games and been proudly wearing our final four shirts!! Last week Elle wore her little Jayhawk cheerleader dress to church! Someone made a comment and I said I thought I showed great restraint by not ALSO having Bryan wear his lightup Jayhawk on his tie while singing on worship team!! I'm glad you didn't miss the highlights in Sweden! My folks called yesterday while waiting at downtown Lawrence's South Park for the parade to begin. I soooo wanted to be at home!! I guess you've had some of the same feelings from your latest entry today!! Happy Birthday to Renee'!! We turned 40 the same year! Are you wondering why we didn't jump in the car and go home, since we can? Well, two weeks ago we received two precious gifts from God. Did you get the email? I'm never sure since we had the weird email/blog thing happen, if you get my regular emails or not. Anyway, we have foster baby twin girls, they are 5 months old and so precious. If you didn't get my email with pics, let me know and I'll resend it. I have been thinking of you and praying for you all with all the big decisions you have had to make, all at once it seems. I miss you very much and I miss the hugs from your sweet girls!! Thank you for sharing your lives and hearts with us through your blog! Love in Christ, Elyce

[Martin and Fiona Jones]

It was wonderful to hear about you all this last Sunday at Lake Cities Community Church. We want you to know that we will be praying for you regularly. Thanks for such an informative blog - it's a great resource for everyone here in Texas to use to follow your work. Press on in His name!

[Chuck Roberts]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RENEE!!!

Love,
Chuck, Susanne, & Linnea

[Micah Foster]

Michael,
I enjoyed you blog and also Renee's video which Craig played at Lake Cities on Sunday. We'll keep praying for you.

Micah Foster

[David Hentschel]

Hey Michael,

I hope with the cold Stockholm winter behind you, you're managing to somehow forget the memories at the UPS - Mesquite Hub, the place (for many of us) of God's blazing hot refining fire. Just wanted to drop a line and let you know we've been learning about Sweden and praying for you and your family and your ministry this month at LCCC. May God continue to go in front of you to prepare your way, to sustain you each day, and in the future may He come behind you to bless beyond measure the diligent work of your hands, for His eternal glory (Ps 67:1-7)!