A Time for Everything
It has taken me a long time to start writing this post. I’m not sure why, but I’m sorry to be out of communication with you. I arrived back at RVA on January 21…or maybe I better back up a bit.
My dad passed away on December 15 in Iowa, and I flew back alone to be with Mom and my two sisters. The funeral was on the 27th. Despite the sadness, it was actually a beautiful service and remembrance of Dad’s life. We rejoiced in the hope that we have in Jesus above all things. I’ve never been so affected singing In Christ Alone as I did when we sang it together as the last song during the funeral.
No guilt in life, no fear in death
In Christ Alone
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
I stayed with Mom for another three weeks beyond that to help out where I could. It was a sweet time but I also have a new appreciation for the details families that have lost a loved one deal with in addition to the grief and loss. My two sisters, Jody and Christine, have done so much to help and support Mom in my absence, both before and after his death.
I was eager to return to my bride, and Josh & Sophie, by the time I landed back in Nairobi on January 21. My joyful reunion was hampered by the news I received upon arrival that while Mom was away seeing me off in Minneapolis, someone broke into the house and robbed her! We can only guess that it was someone familiar with the house and knew we would be gone. The police have a possible suspect but not enough evidence to do anything at this point. We trust in God’s ultimate justice – and mercy in response to repentance.
I had missed two weeks of the school term, so hit the ground running. And now here it is, with just under three weeks to go in the term! I just turned 49. Where does the time go?!
We will need to update you on highlights from the term, but let me close with this for now. This has been a hard term for me on many levels, that go beyond grief for my dad. And in the midst of it the Lord has been convicting me of a fear of people and what they think of me and of being too focused on my performance (good or bad), both of which demonstrate a lack of really trusting God with everything – including my reputation.
I share that with you to ask that you pray with/for me, as I invited the RVA community to do yesterday in the service. There’s nothing I want more than to live in the good of all that God has done for me in Christ on a daily basis. I know I’m an adopted son, but I’m so often forgetful of that and slip back into living like an orphan. Maybe you can relate.
Lilli and I just started a mentored program with Serge, called Sonship. It has been a great encouragement as we fight our orphan mentalities. But more on that another time…
Thanks for loving us!