Category Archives: Travel photos

Travel-size Worship

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It seemed an oxymoron to be attending a worship service between an airport security check and the gate check-in, but that’s what happened when I flew to Florida recently. While hiking along the crowded walkways at Chicago’s Midway Airport, a loudspeaker announcement rose above the racket: “All are welcome to join us for a 30 minute Christian service in the chapel on the mezzanine level.”

I had some extra time before my flight, and curiosity urged me toward the chapel. Maybe it was God himself urging me. Although thousands of travelers marched with purpose down the wide corridors, I wondered how many would divert to the chapel.

Following signs depicting a kneeling figure, I rode the elevator to the “M” floor and found the chapel. A pastor had just begun the service by reciting the 100th Psalm, arms outstretched, face toward heaven, and eyes closed. His congregation was 5 members, each seated next to their carry-on luggage.

When the pastor saw me, he walked over and delivered a welcome, a handshake, a bulletin, and a New Testament. “Come right in and have a seat,” he said. “We’re about to take prayer requests.”

His mini-service proceeded according to the bulletin, and I asked prayer for the big event bringing me to Florida: the home birth of my 6th grandchild. The pastor asked for Linnea and Adam’s first names, then prayed with passion for many wonderful birth-time blessings. His mini-message followed, taken from John 4, the story of a woman at her local watering well. “Jesus was a weary traveler,” the preacher said, “just like some of you might be.”

He described this biblically rare encounter between Jesus and just one other person, no one else around. “She was traveling through life carrying a lot of baggage,” the pastor said, using another airport metaphor. “And Jesus was ready with wonderful refreshment.”

As he concluded, the pastor said, “I know you all have planes to catch, so we’ll close in prayer. Feel free to take your Bibles along with you.” He ended by offering to talk one-on-one with any who might want that, and one young man did stay behind.

Apparently every large US airport has a chapel where travelers can find quietness and a place to pray. It’s nice to know God is waiting there in a calm, private place conducive to a peaceful meeting amidst the very stressful environment of an airport.

Of course he’s also in line at security, seated at every gate, and traveling on every flight, too. That’s good to know, since I’ll be back at the airport this weekend, heading home.

“As for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge.” (Psalm 73:28)

A Perfect 10

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A month ago 10 servant-hearted men from our missions-oriented church traveled to Kenya, Africa, to do good for a young woman and the 78 children she’s raising. Reah is an unusual 23 year old who cheerfully manages two children’s homes with minimum staff and maximum joy. (2/18/11 blog, A Shining Star)

Ten men journeyed to the other side of the globe with eagerness to help. Because of their busy, complicated lives, it might seem impossible for these “worker bees” to free their schedules for such a trip. Yet they did, representing 7 decades among them: guys in their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s, a remarkable group.

Although some people say traveling is in their blood, most of us like their own beds, familiar routines and recognizable foods. Not these guys. They plowed into their trip with gusto and two purposes: to facilitate a fresh water supply for the children and to construct a small home for Reah.

Because clean water is hard to find in Africa, she was having to buy it with precious dollars needed for education, medicine and food. And with a place to live right on the property, Reah would be always available to the children.

She sets the tone for her big family with a positive attitude and strong work ethic, expecting the best from each one. Then, as they deliver it, she’s pleased not just to get the work done but in knowing their good behavior brings them personal satisfaction, too.

Isn’t this the way God’s economy works? He asks us to give to others; then as we give, those others end up giving back to us, and simultaneously God gives to the whole crowd.

It took 10 men 10 days to get the two jobs done, though they also found time to build a playground. Kids who’d never pumped a swing or climbed a jungle gym found this to be total entertainment. Once the playground had been completed, the swings never stopped.

Back at home our mission-trippers reported on their African adventure, and we saw how they’d been blessed even more than those they’d traveled to bless. We heard stories of kids who pitched in to prepare food, wash clothes, clean up and do whatever was needed, without complaint. They told us of older children rushing to help the younger, and even when all of them hoped for a turn on a swing, none pushed or whined to get one.

As we viewed the slide show of our 10 men’s 10 days, adult smiles and happy children dominated every frame, whether they were working or playing. Fresh water was facilitated, a house was constructed, a playground was built, and God poured blessing over the whole bunch.

You might say it was a Perfect 10.

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” (Hebrews 6:10)