These last days, we have still been striving to enjoy life and service to the fullest — our last hike up Nkhoma Mt to the Cross, meals shared with friends, shopping down in the market, my last week of work and even a wedding. I can say that we have fully embraced most of our days here. I actually have more friends here than in Bushkill, which makes this a true home.
One of the things we have learned or maybe embraced while here is to expect the unexpected. It made sense because we are in a new country, new culture, new roads without road signs, new jobs, new apartment, new foods, new everything! This new mantra (embraced by an extremely aggravated Chuck during a wrong turn that took us 30 minutes in the opposite direction of our destination), helped us (Chuck would say has helped him most) to be more patient in challenging situations.
When we left our cabin in Pa in January, I was challenged by I Thessalonians 4:10, “to love more.” The church in Thessalonica was well known for its love in the town and the whole region! Yet, Paul in this verse encourages them to love even more. What a challenging call to Christ-like discipleship!
I just read Following Jesus Through the Eye of the Needle, by Kent Annan, who asks tough questions after living and serving in Haiti: “What are you willing to give up so that you gain everything?” “How does sacrificial giving translate in real life?” “What is my way of loving more?” “What am I going to do to starve this desire for more and more and to hunger for things much deeper and more fulfilling?” Personally and spiritually, such questions of faith have never been harder nor more necessary.
Annan pointedly suggests: live for Love! — Love of God, neighbor, and of those most often rejected and desperately in need; let Love guide our choices. I left with this challenge in my heart and mind, and I am returning with this challenge in my heart and mind …to LOVE MORE.
Thank you for your love and sacrificial support; measureless thanks to God.
Love, Deb
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