family

My father lives in Jacksonville, Florida with my sister and her family. My dad is now 89 years of age. He has seen a lot in his life time yet the one thing he deeply values is to see family. We connect with a lot of things in life. We get ambitious for climbing the ladder, reaching goals, and making something of life. But, what really matters is that we have loving, nurturing relationships that are lasting. We call it family. Sometimes the family isn't related to us; and often they are the people we choose to be part of our life (or they choose us).

I visited my dad last week. He doesn't get around much. He watches a lot of television. He favorite shows are old Western or game shows. One thing he has enjoyed for as long as I can remember is playing cards. So, we brought out the cards each night and played until it was absolutely necessary to go to bed. There was laughter, "harrassement" of one another, and recaping, after each hand, what we played. The score sheet showed who won and who was behind; but we are all winners. The card game gave time to be together and not have to "find something to talk about".

We don't get over to Jacksonville very often. It has been a year since our last visit. When the visit is over you don't know if this will be the last time to be together on this side of heaven. But there is a sense that is OK.

Madagascar

It is so easy to view life from our own experiences. What is life like in other parts of the world? How do families get along? How do people make money to support a sustainable life? What are the values of other people? And what is the role of faith in God?
Andy and Barbara Hinderlie are serving the church in East Africa, primarily in Madagascar. The church in that region of the world is rapidly growing. People walk long distances to worship. The church thrives in a culture of many religious beliefs. The work that Andy and Barbara do is to give support to the growing church and to represent our church body, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. I am grateful for the work that they are doing and the message that Andy and Barbara gave to our congregation this past Sunday. We are all missionaries. Wherever we are we are showing Jesus' love. We do not need to be called into church work to do that. We are all called to serve God, in our own vocations. People become familiar with the love of God through us. What would happen if all of us recognized that we are a mission in the places God has put us?