Category Archives: Evangelism

Soul Food

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Hannah and ErikaMy parents, if they had lived past 100, would now be enjoying 26 great-grandchildren. The oldest in this group, Hannah and Erika, are twins born to my niece Julia and her husband Drew. This week, Hannah (left) and Erika (right) have forfeited a fun family vacation in Florida to go on a mission trip to Guatemala.

These two girls have already had some mission trip experience – when they were only five years old. As they left home to travel with their parents to Ecuador, I remember their great-grandma (my Mom) wondering aloud, “Will ‘my’ twins be safe from harm?”

Model girlsGod’s mind, however, was on a different kind of safety, that of the soul. His plan was to expose these little girls to new experiences that would establish compassion and caring in their young hearts.

While Hannah, Erika, and their parents were in Ecuador, mission team members were told of families who were so poor they had to pick through the garbage at the village dump in search of food. Even the Ecuadorian children were sometimes enlisted in this effort.

Though each American on the trip was deeply moved by such poverty, the twins internalized the information in a different way. One evening shortly after returning home, the family was sitting down to dinner. Erika looked at the abundance of delicious, healthy food in front of her and made an important decision. Getting out of her chair, she picked up her plate and carried it toward the kitchen sink.

Kitchen garbageJulia and Drew watched her, wondering what she was up to. Then, without hesitating or glancing back at her parents, she overturned her untouched plate of food into the garbage.

“Erika!” her mother said. “What are you doing?”

She was ready with a logical answer. “I’m sending my dinner to the kids in Ecuador. They’re hungry, and they’re looking for food in the garbage.”

Surely God was smiling on  this young soul.

Today, 11 years later, Hannah and Erika are once again on a mission trip. The fundraising letters they wrote made it clear that the impact of the first trip was still with them.

PalsTo quote Erika, “A few years back, my family went to Ecuador on a mission trip. This opened my eyes. On this trip I hope that I will grow closer to God. And I hope to be able to share God and who He is in me, with the people.”

And from Hannah. “I have been blessed with an amazing opportunity to witness to the wonderful children of Guatemala. Not everyone can go on a mission trip.”

God is a pro at managing the who, what, when, where, and how of our lives. Much of the time we have no idea what he’s doing in someone else’s soul, but once in a while he gives us a glimpse – and reminds us (quoting from a 16-year-old’s fundraising letter)…

“With God, nothing shall be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)

Young Love (#75)

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July 31, 1969

Kids galore.Mom was having trouble saying goodbye to the home where she’d raised her children and had so much fun doing it. The morning after the move, she drove back to 708, let herself in, and waited for the new owners to arrive. While she waited, she went to work painting some basement shelves she hadn’t been able to finish in the final flurry to move out the day before.

I can’t imagine what the new owners must have thought when they pulled in to the driveway after their closing and saw Mom’s car there. But she had ingratiated herself with this family in previous weeks, forging quick friendships. She probably threw the door wide open for them with the same warm welcome she’d given a thousand other guests, explaining that she was there to finish painting… after which she would “get out of the way for their moving van.”

The new owners told her their truck wouldn’t be arriving until the next day and that they had just stopped by to be sure the house was empty. In a short while they departed, inviting Mom to stay as long as she wanted – and she wanted.

Once the painting was done, she did what she really came to do. She walked upstairs, entering each room, lying down on the floor, arms outstretched. She wanted to talk to God.

In each room

In the master bedroom, she thanked him for everything she could think of that had gone on in that room – for a husband who had always been faithful, for successful recoveries from illnesses and surgeries, for time with children who climbed in with her during thunderstorms, for a daughter who donned her bridal gown in that room just before getting married, and much more.

CompanyMeals galoreShe moved from room to room, each time spreading herself out on the floor and mixing memories with gratitude to God… no doubt with plentiful tears.

After she finished upstairs, she went to the main floor, and her prayers must have been lengthy as she thought about hundreds of get-togethers she’d held in that home.

 

Surely she thanked God for the chance to be a Christian witness to neighbors and friends in those rooms, especially grateful for the children and teens who accepted her frequent invitations to “C’mon over.”

She even went to the basement where so many church socials and gatherings had taken place, and my guess is that when she stretched out on her laundry room floor, she wept hard.

Many of her conversations with the Lord had taken place as she ironed, her favorite household chore. She stood at an old wooden ironing board often, ironing sheets, towels, tablecloths, handkerchiefs, even Dad’s underwear.

As a kid it seemed to me she looked for excuses to heat up her iron and stand there – but maybe it was because that was her holy space. I remember many a strained conversation (since I was her wayward daughter) that occurred as she ironed. The tension between us was always mitigated when we could focus on a pillow case going from wrinkled to smooth, rather than looking at each other.

Empty houseWhen Mom finished her worship time in each room that day, she took a few pictures of her empty home and walked out the door. Amazingly, though, she already had plans to return – just one more time.

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Young Love (#18)

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studyingThe 156 miles between Nate and me were beginning to take their toll. Although we got together as often as schedules and finances allowed, visits were often limited to one day, either because of his commitments or mine. I looked forward to being with Nate and in all our times together hadn’t noticed anything I disliked.

So why wasn’t I able to surrender to him? In addition to fearing another broken heart, there was one other reason – I worried about making a commitment “on the rebound” from my old boyfriend. He and I had formally broken up 4 months previously, but the break-up apparently hadn’t stuck. At a minimum, it was sloppy. Committing to Nate while that relationship was still “alive” didn’t seem right. If my old boyfriend had genuinely become a Christian during this time, right or wrong I would have gone back to him in a flash.

Mar. 9, 1969 – Dear Meg. The military ball is 12 April; women wear formals, and men uniforms. And I think the weekend for meeting my parents will be before the ball. But no weekend can be greater than our last one together. You were sweet, precious, womanly. I love you very much, Meg.

Mar. 9, 1969 – Dear Nate. This week we’re beginning a unit on animals in both kindergartens, and today we studied the difference between zoo and farm animals – why we don’t put kitties behind bars or lions behind low fences. I eagerly look forward to being with my little kidlets each day. But I miss you, too.    Meg.

Mar. 10, 1969 – Dear Meg. I was thinking this morning of all the sweet little things you do… your laugh, when you tease me and try to tickle me, the way you close your eyes when I kiss you. Each facet of your demeanor I remember and think about. You’re a wonderful person. My life would really have missed someone if I hadn’t met you. Of all 4 years in college, you are my finest memory. And what’s even better is that our relationship continues and grows…

Mar. 10, 1969 – Dear Nate. I’ve asked my folks about you coming up here over the week of your spring vacation with both of us staying at my Wilmette house for 3 days or so before I go with you to your house for that weekend. Such steady togetherness should be helpful. If I had extra hours in each day, I’d like to spend them writing and talking to you. Would we ever run out of things to say?

confusedMar. 11, 1969 – Dear Meg. On Saturday, 22 March, we’ll have dinner with my parents here in Champaign and maybe see a movie or something at Assembly Hall. And… you are a fabulous person to spend time witnessing to your co-worker. She perhaps has so much faith in man because she has lost it in her own father (who was Our Father’s representative to her on earth). Mark 7 has much to say about faith in man-made traditions. I am angered by those who argue that science answers everything and that life is always getting better. Remember that man has never failed to use any weapon he’s developed, including the atomic bomb; sooner or later he will use the hydrogen bomb.

Mar. 11, 1969 – Dear Nate. I really want Mom and Dad to get to know you as I do. It hurts that very few of my friends and relatives know you.

Mar. 11, 1969 – Dear Meg. Going on a campaign to “educate” your parents and friends about us is very good; you want to include them in your feelings. Then, when you finally reach a decision one way or another, they won’t be shocked. Besides, we always enjoy feelings more when we share them with loved ones.

“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests… Be alert and always keep on praying…” (Ephesians 6:18)