Compensations of sacrifice

 

   A call from God can present some difficult challenges. So God always equips those He calls. God called my son and my daughter in law to the mission field.  Therefore, they have been and continue to be equipped by God to be able to deal with the challenges of such a life. But just as my son received God’s call to go, I received God’s call as well–to let him go.  

  Since their departure, God has given me opportunities I could never have imagined.   I’ve traveled to Peru where I have walked the ancient stone paths of Machu Picchu. In Africa I experienced the excitement of a safari, floated down the Nile River of Moses fame, and lived in a thatched roof mud hut in the savannah bush. A lifelong dream to go to Scotland was fulfilled not once but 3 times while my son studied for his masters at the University of Edinburgh.

   All of these adventures went a long way in compensating me for the sacrifice God had called upon me to make. But these adventures alone couldn’t have made up for the heartache my son’s exodus brought about.

But the following  has

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

My pain forced me to rely on God

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

In God I found comfort

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them from all their troubles.  The LORD is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:17

I learned to focus on God, not my pain

  You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on You. Isaiah 26:33

  It was good for me to be affected so that I could learn Your statues. Instructions from Your lips is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Psalm 119:71

I learned that my pain would not overwhelm me

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

I have drawn again and again upon the lessons I’ve learned from my experience as a missionary’s mom. And that is compensation far beyond any sacrifice I could have made.

 

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First stop? The Nile River!

Let me bring you up to date.  

My husband and I have experienced our first Christmas in a foreign land in order to welcome our newborn grandson into this world and to visit with our son and daughter-in-law.  We have packed up my son’s vehicle and have headed off to the place where they live.  But before we get there, we have a couple of side trips to make.  Unknown to us, our son and daughter-in-law had planned to take us on a dinner cruise on the Nile River for our first side trip.

You know, I was not aware that the Nile river flowed through Uganda.  My only country of reference concerning the Nile was Egypt (and Moses, of course)  I just didn’t remember my history and the work of the famous missionary/explorer David Livingston. 

As parents of a foreign missionary our horizons are definitely being broaden.  I cannot emphasize strongly enough the importance of visiting your missionary child on the field.  Being so far apart lends itself to feeling disconnected from your child and for a parent (and I feel the child as well) this is supremely difficult.  Because my husband and I were able to spend time with our son where he was serving, this disconnect was minimized.  And if the LORD is willing, we hope to return for visits as often as possible.

Not muddy like the Mississippi, but clear like the Nantahala!

Things haven’t changed much for some Nile travelers.

 

My precious 3-some enjoying dinner on the Nile.

I can’t see the Nile, I only have eyes for my grandson.

Deep conversations between father & son.

Happy Couple!

The negative thoughts (or what I refer to as fiery darts) are overwhelming when it comes to releasing your child to serve God in a land far away.  So take advantage of what I share with you in my blog and focus on the wonderful surprises God has in store for you because you have a child on the foreign mission field.  Yes, it’s difficult (I  cannot make light of that) but I have discovered by visiting my son on his field of service, there is more that I have to look forward to and  feel good about than I could have imagined.    You have given a great deal in releasing your child to God’s service as a missionary, therefore God has much to give you (in abundance) as a result.   Luke 6:38 says it all!

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”