We Had No Idea

Our journey as missionaries began in the early days of July 2005 when our family arrived in Kingston, Jamaica. Just a few sleeps in, a hurricane barreled its way toward the island. Stuart and I anticipated a week of training and orientation in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, what we got were hammers and nails to board up the children’s home. A night of 100 mph winds shook more than the palm branches off the trees and the shingles off the roof.

Our little family had no idea what we got ourselves into.

As mudslides delayed our departure to our children’s home in Christiana, we kept company with the dozens of children, dedicated staff, young missionary associates, as well as veteran cross-cultural servants at the City of Refuge Children’s Home (with the added bonus of no electricity or hot water). Our daily ritual consisted of peering over our mountain vista to measure the progress of the work trucks as they made their way up washed-out roads and nature-made mud barriers.

Finally freed one mid-afternoon, we began our two and ½ hour turned five-hour trek to the center of the island to greet our children at New Vision Children’s Home. Arriving bleary-eyed and a bit shell-shocked, our small staff greeted us surrounded by a smattering of pajama-clad children and teenagers with a battery of inquiries. Our minds whirred from all the recent events and our newfound responsibilities. We desperately needed a good night’s sleep; more than we realized. In just a few days, another hurricane would hit the island.

Seriously, our little family had no idea what we got ourselves into.

We had no idea that in the next few years we’d face island-wide flooding that would close down schools and businesses, hear heart-rending stories of those we cared for, manage a chicken pox outbreak that would keep us knee-deep in Calamine lotion, and hunker down for a few (a lot) more hurricanes (all with the added bonus of intermittent electricity, water, and internet). And that’s just Jamaica.

But hear me now: that’s not the end of the story. That’s not all we faced. That’s not all we got. We also got an ear-full of laughter and a face-full of smiles. We got stories for days and friends for a lifetime. We got buckets of hope and oceans of love. And we got food, people. We got really good food.

Long ago when our journey began, our little family had no idea what we got ourselves into.

But we’re sure glad we did.

God will come

Mexico City Missive ~ Winter Newsletter 2016

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Isaiah 35: 3-4

In a time of great trouble, Isaiah encourages Israel to wait for God. Be strong, he says. Do not fear. God will come. Intrigued by her plight, we get caught up in the story. We wait with Israel in her sorrow, anguish, and even in her embarrassment over her predicament. Israel trusted the wrong advisers, made a pact with the wrong leaders, and neglected her responsibility toward the marginalized. As the people of God confront their own fickleness, irresponsibility, and infidelity we wait with them as they wait for God. Hold steady, the prophet declares.

God will come.

With reckless abandon and confident prose, Isaiah prophesies of a time of redemption, hope, healing, and joy. It won't always be like this, Isaiah assures them. God will come. The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will leap, and the mute will shout for joy (35: 6). That's not all. In a climate fit solely for predators, waters and streams will burst forth producing a lush garden fit especially for God's people (35:7). Encourage one another in hopeful surrender.

God will come.

Is Israel ready for a new exodus? Are we? When God comes, Isaiah promises, he will provide a highway for the rescued (35: 8). A road uncluttered by the ravenous, the wicked, and the unsuited; a Way dedicated to the redeemed, the holy, and the humbled (35: 9). The sorrow and sighing that accompanied judgment will flee as gladness and joy overtake the people of God (35: 10). Are we ready for this new day? I am. Take heart, friends. Soon Advent longing will end and Christmas morn will dawn. On that day, we will awake, arise, breathe deep, and rejoice!

Behold, the Lord is come.

Stuart & Wendy

serving in mexico city

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A weary world rejoices . . .

I must admit, these last few months of 2012 have left me a bit weary. Families who have lost loved ones, close friends who have moved away, and a few personal struggles have darkened my days. And then the tragedy at Sandy Hook, a town only about an hour's drive from my hometown in Connecticut, rocked our nation. In fact, today I found out that two administrators and two teachers who died at Sandy Hook were graduates of my Alma mater (Southern Connecticut State University). With this news my world got a little smaller and my heart ached a little more.

When Advent began a few weeks ago, I did not expect these feelings of woe. Although the season of Advent is about recognizing the dark world in which we live, it also anticipates the light that is about to descend into our world. But with each passing week, and with each subsequent candle, I did not feel any brighter. That is until last night, when my daughter sang O Holy Night at her school's Christmas program.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'til he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn . . .

Indeed we live in a weary world, but hope makes all the difference. To every parent who has lost a child, and for every child who has lost a parent; for every heart-breaking goodbye, and in every tragic circumstance – may hope break into the darkness and illuminate our world. In trying times, hope anchors our souls. In the darkest of days, hope anticipates a brighter future. In a distorted world, hope transforms our perspective.

Hope descended into a manger 2,000 years ago and a weary world rejoiced over his birth. Hope dropped into my heart last night as my daughter sang, and I rejoiced in my Savior's advent. If you are feeling weary this season, may the light of the world pierce your darkness and may you awaken to a new and glorious morn.

Merry Christmas.

Stuart & Wendy

O Holy Night!
The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;
Fall on your knees,
Oh, hear the angels voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night,
O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand;
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend;
He knows our need,
Our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King, before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, before Him lowly bend!

For those traveling on the road to Emmaus . . .

Although suffering and grief may seem like odd subjects to blog about during the holiday season, I have never known death to check the calendar for a convenient time to visit. So with respect to friends and family who have suffered loss recently (and those who are walking with them) I dedicate this post to you . . . But We Had Hoped

Team Joey

Two years ago, I introduced to many of you young Joey and his parents, our friends, Nick and Elizabeth Keller. Doctors had just diagnosed 7 year old Joey with Medulloblastoma and since then countless numbers have joined Team Joey by praying for him and sending words of encouragement from all over the globe.

This past Sunday, November 18, Joey died after a valiant battle with cancer. Joey's spunky personality, love for life, and passionate concern for others has touched the hearts of so many and yet he has the potential to touch thousands more.

The Heroes Foundation is a charitable organization that exists to serve the cancer community through a variety of means. When Vince Todd, founder of the Heroes Foundation, visited Joey, Joey shared his love for Legos and his desire to see every child on the cancer ward with a gift of Legos. So now the Heroes Foundation, through Team Joey will make this happen.

Tomorrow, as many of you will venture out to shop, Joey's friends and family will gather together to celebrate his life. May I be so bold to ask that before you attend the Black Friday sales, please put someone else on your Christmas list; a child in the pediatric cancer ward. Go to the Heroes Foundation website, view the premise behind Team Joey, and then make a Donation to this worthy cause. 

One more request before I go. Today, as you join with loved ones to give thanks to God for his mercies, draw your family a little closer, hug your children a little tighter, and give thanks for the precious life that was Joey Keller.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Please take the time to visit and like Team Joey, A Heroes Foundation Facebook page

The Last Enemy

My hand rests upon the white coverlet of my brother’s over-sized bed in the cramped room. My mother glances towards me and says, “Wendy, get your brother some water, please.” I search the unfamiliar house to complete my task . . . 

Read the rest of the story on Tortilla Press.