October 18, 2005

• We arrived safely in Estonia on Friday afternoon. We were greeted by our smiling friends, Debbie and Jaime Banks and Clint, Joey and Becky Hale. What a treat!

  
  

  We had a wonderful time with family and friends on this short trip to the States. We managed to stuff an amazing amount of hugs, kisses and fellowship into a very, very short time. We are so thankful for the time we had to see our son, our girls, our grandbabies, Brandi's sister/husband, Brandi's folks and to share in some wonderful fellowship with those in Granbury who support us from so far away. {Crystal, Andrea and Kristi ... I wish I could have seen you too ... I miss you bunches}.

  
  

  Now we are back in Estonia ... back to the chilly weather, back home in our little apt., back in our own beds and back to our busy life here. We are still trying to recover from the schedule we kept while in the States and from the jetlag caused by the trip home. Our bodies are indeed weary but our hearts are full!

  
  

  We stayed Friday night in Tallinn and headed back to Tartu on Saturday. We were followed only a few hours by the 'Character for Kids' team who are now here teaching a seminar in the University. We enjoyed meeting with them on Sunday and chatting over lunch about the possibilities of ministry through this program in Tartu.

  
  

  Sunday morning also brought a sweet reunion with our precious church. Though we were only gone a short time, they deemed it 'too long' and welcomed us back with open arms and warm hugs. Our friend, Oksana B., said a few weeks ago how nice it is to be able to go across the world and back and always have someone waiting for you. I hadn't realized the magnitude of that statement until I stood in the foyer of our little church on Sunday. God is good!

  
  

  So ... in-between our naps over the last few days ... Brandi has taught and preached, attended the CFK seminar and started up bible studies again. I've gone about catching up on laundry, paying some bills, teaching the teens and ladies class, and fellowshiping with some of my favorite people over a big pot of chili.

  
  

  Sometimes I wonder whether we are successful in our work here in Tartu or not. Sometimes those 'obvious' signs of success are not there and the lack of them makes me feel discouraged. Sometimes I worry that those looking on will not think we are getting the job done or making it worth the sacrifices they've made to send us here. Sometimes I begin to doubt my usefulness and I wonder how God could trust such imperfect tools with such an awesome task.

  
  

  Then ... He gives me hugs and laughter from those He brings across my path ... little gifts to show me how much He loves me. And, in His Sovereignty, He reminds me that He is God, that He is the Owner of the Vineyard, that He is The Lord of the Harvest, that His ways are not my ways and that He has often used 'rusty' tools to achieve mighty and amazing things ... not because the tools are great but because HE IS GREAT!

  
  

  Indeed He IS!

  • 4:28 pm
  • 3 Comments