CAN I DO MORE?

God has been exercising my heart the last two mornings, so this is going to be a little different than usual. We have come to Rhode Island to help some friends who have been here for about 10 years. They have patiently worked to plant a gospel preaching church here. We learned of their efforts several years ago and eventually brought up a group of college students to help in whatever ways we could. That visit, unknown to us at the time, planted a seed in our hearts.

Tommy and I have had a heart for missions and missionaries for many years. Our ties to work kept us at home for the most part, but we tried to open our home whenever possible for missionaries to share meals or lodging with us. After we retired, we sensed the Lord was going to allow us to become more intimately involved with missionaries where they were.

This visit to Rhode Island, our third extended visit, has really shown us the challenges and trials that missionaries can face. Although we are all rejoicing that a building is almost complete and opening day will come before summer is finished, it has come with much labor and stress. I know we as Christians are not suppose to experience stress. Let me give you a scenario: Husband, father, son, pastor, general contractor, laborer, gopher! This is one man! Wife, mother, daughter, pastor's wife, homeschooler of 4 children, keeper of the home, laborer (yes, she has learned to lay New England stone for the exterior of the building). This is one woman!

So...if I came to help (and I did), what does that look like to this missionary family. Is it enough to cook the evening meal? Could I be doing more? I know that is a major help, but what else could I do to improve things for this family, not only for now, but long after we are gone?

With the Lord's help, my focus is going to change a bit. Instead of construction updates, I think I'll plan, and implement the plan for helping beyond the normal "stuff". With 3 girls and 1 boy, there is plenty of information from my own parenting experience that I should be able to transfer to them. Stay tuned to see what the Lord enables us to learn together.