Obviously I haven't written for a month. I have been traveling and busy, but the real reasons are that I'm not sure anyone reads this blog, and right now I'm feeling really sad about the kids being gone and writing about it has not been really appealing to me, but I decided it was time to get off my "pity pot" , express it, and see if it helps.
I am thankful for their work. This week Michele said that they were 25% through the New Testament translation. How exciting is that? I love God's Word, and I especially love that Erik and Michele love God's Word.
O God, I pray that your Word will go out with power and conviction to the people of Tanna.
On Thanksgiving I missed them.....
I think that even if they had been in the states and not with us I would have been better, but they are so far away.
Having them away for the holidays is nothing new, they have been serving in Tanna for 8 years, but this year I was so sad.....
They are having hard time right now. Not that they complain they don't, but water is not working in the village, and that means that they have to use collected water in the tank or they have to collect it down the hill in the stream. Having been there I know that this has to be so hard. It has been raining and that helps with water in the tank, but also keeps the water from being fixed.
Little Joel, who is three, will not use the toilet.
Because of the lack of water they have to use the hole in the ground, and he is terrified of it so he prefers pooping most any place else. That was Michele's pray request this week.
Pray that Joel will poop on toilet.
I got their Christmas packages off on time. I am so thankful. It took a week of collecting, packing, and mailing, but they will be on time. Hopefully they will be able to get to town and pick them up.
The Nebress's are back. They are another missionary couple with children. They are family to one another.....
They have been on furlough for over a year, but they will spend Christmas together. That is a blessing. Gives me a peace.
Well I feel better. I am thankful that God is near to the broken hearted, and right now I am a little broken hearted.
I am thankful that God is with them, that He will not let go of them.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
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4 comments:
Karen thank you so much for sharing. I'm sure the holidays are hard having them so far away. I will continue to keep them in my prayers. We love you and thank God for his wonderful acts.
Heather
Karen, just wanted you to know that I've been reading your blog. It only took me a minute to figure out that you are the Karen who contributed to our book Parents of Missionaries. It was finally published; I hope you've seen it. I'll be praying for you and your family over the holidays. Thanks for sharing how you are feeling!--Diane Stortz, National Network of Parents of Missionaries
Hi Karen,
Boy, can I relate to what you posted. My youngest is a missionary who is right now in Vancouver, B.C. with his bride of less than a year while we are in PA. By this summer, they'll be heading on to SE Asia for their next assignment. This was our first Thanksgiving without either child celebrating with us and it was hard. Thank goodness that our daughter and her husband will be able to spend some time with us at Christmas. I am so thankful for the miracle of Skype and video cams so we can talk with our son and daughter-in-law regularly. I am also trying to think about how Mary must have felt during Jesus' ministry years. But for me, I'm just at the start of what could be years of separation from my missionary family. Things like your blog and your honest expression of your feelings are so helpful...even the times when you're hurting because it helps the rest of us see what it truly is like to be in this unusual role we've been cast into, that of "missionary parent." And it gives us the chance to support you through prayer.
Karen, It does me good to see the heart of a fellow POM. I'm a newbie, our child,son-in-love, and only grandbaby left just a month ago. It is their first heading over to the mission field. I know I will have feelings like yours - and reading yours will help me feel more 'normal' and I process my heart and reflect on God for my perspective. Thanks for sharing. I'll pray for you, perhaps another time you will pray for me.
Hugs,
Denise
www.kniteang.blogspot.com
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