Beautiful Upon the Mountains

How beautiful upon the moutains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."

Isaiah 52:7

This was the theme for the missions conference we were a part of while in Virginia March 26-28th. At that point in our trip we were so thankful to stay put in one place for three nights in a row. Many thanks to the generosity of Jim and Alice Menks for giving us their room overlooking the valley as it stretches out from the Shenendoah National Park. This house settled at the base of the mountains was a bit of a refuge for us as we had a busy weekend filled with wonderful things. Friday night we barely made it to a casual dinner followed by Dan sharing a Paraguayan song on the guitar and our testimony. It was quite interesting seeing a larger than life image of ten year old Dan dressed as superman (the screen they use is floor to ceiling!). We were showered with a huge gift basket of books and toys for the kids and a bag full of goodies from snacks to aspirin and note pads and kleenex, many items that we specifically needed.

Saturday we got to sleep in and then Dan headed off to talk and play a game with the youth group in the afternoon. I got some laundry and reading done before taking a nap with the kids. In the evening we headed back to the church where we met and talked with more people and Dan gave a field report of our ministry in Paraguay.

For Sunday School we split up and Dan talked with the men's Sunday School and I talked with the women's (not just me though, there was one other family also reporting/sharing about their ministry). Apparently a few woman approached Dan saying I did a good job and thanking me. When he asked how did I do I said "I cried a lot." And that was true. Then Dan gave the message, we enjoyed lunch at the Utz's gorgeous home, had a brief rest and headed back to church to speak to AWANA and then sit on a panel with the other missionary couple to answer questions. I also got to check out their missionary closet full of more great things that missionaries need like pens, stamps, books to read (one of my weaknesses!)

We came to the conference weary and weak. I didn't want to do it. I suppose three weeks on the road might have had something to do with it but I couldn't help but think about this life that we are living. Many times I questioned why did God have to call us to this life. Why couldn't we have a "regular" job and help send someone else? Why do we have to be the ones to go? This is no vacation that we are on. This is our job. God has called us to serve Him in another country and this is part of what that job involves. Do we ever like every aspect of our work? Probably not. We don't like this aspect except for the fact that it sure is an adventurous life we live and one that not everyone could live. We are being obedient, submitting and sacrificing many things to do our job, to follow our Lord Jesus where He has told us to go. I long for my own house, my own space, the certainty and regularity of a routine. I felt like I was lost those days, not sure where I was going and what I was doing. Yet, amazingly, we walked away from that conference refreshed and renewed.

Amidst our exhaustion and discouragement, God showed us that He truly cares and has encouraged us through words from many of you. We know we can't, absolutely cannot, do this on our own. Thank you dear friends who have taken the time to come along side of us and even though you can't, tried to understand. We need your prayers and moral support and acknowledgment at times that what we are doing is not easy. Thank you.