A missionary's reflection

As I sit here and look fondly at the Kodak digital camera that has been my companion on so many landmark events sweet memories tumble about my mind.  Interestingly, the most prevelant one tells the story of the day I received that camera.  It was a birthday gift given to me by the loving congregation of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Virginia Beach.  The generous gift was a surprise that left me totally speechless.  However, it is not the only thing Oak Grove has done for me that has left me speechless.


Very few people truly understand how much a missionary needs the support of family, friends, and churches back home to stay strong on the field.  Quite often churches send out their missionaries with a prayer and a pat on the back and think that a regular check in the mail will satisfy all that is required of them.  It is rare to find a church like Oak Grove that regulary sends personal notes of encouragement.  I can recall dozens of care packages sent to me or given to me on visits by the special ladies in the Rice Circle.  Sadly, it is unusual for a missionary to have cheerleaders back home verbally, materially, and prayerfully cheering us on every step of the way.  And yet, it is so necessary.

This weekend was a time of just such cheerleading and encouragement.  In Guatemala a retreat is held annually for English speaking missionaries and their families.  It is a time of refreshment, a time of resting, and a time to be on the recieving end for a change.  Words cannot describe the "re-charge" we feel as a family after a weekend such as this.  Such an event would not be possible were it not for wonderful, generous individuals and churches that come to sow into Guatemala's missionaries and by doing so, are able to sow into Guatemala as a whole.  A team of teachers come geared up and ready to take our kids for the weekend so that as parents we can sit worry free in the services and workshops.  These teachers pay their own way and furnish games, toys, snacks and more for our little tykes.  Their creativity, patience, and willingness is a treasure.  A whole team of folks come for the specific purpose of blessing the missionary community with haircuts, massages, manicure, and pedicures.  They offer their services free of charge and spoil us on top of that with free product samples, chocolates, hugs, prayers, and encourgement.  Still others come to speak, to lead worship, to donate books, medicines, and teaching supplies.  And on top of all of this, those who come to serve us also pay a portion of our expenses.

To feel so loved and supported for an entire weekend has helped me to feel full again and ready to go back out there and continue to give.

My word of advice to anyone reading this blog is not to forget that whatever missionary you support has many needs other than just a check in the mail.  We need to know that we are not alone out here.  We need to know that you've got our back!  Send  a note or a  small gift to a missionary today to remind them that they are on your mind and in your heart and prayers.