It's hard on our hearts to be away from 9 boys we love like our own sons. We're not there to see them working hard in their studies. We're not there when there are issues with them getting along, being tempted by their former lives, or having questions about life. We're not there to have them come run out to us and give us huge hugs and expect us to immediately go play soccer.
It's also hard on our hearts to be away from our other friends. Our ministry partners are some of the most dear people to us. We miss hearing Thomas whistle while working in the yard. We miss listening to Deo teach the boys. We miss hearing instruction rise from the Bible College building. We miss seeing them grow in their service. We also miss our friends. We miss spending time at the Keytels. We miss the laughter from Mark & Su. We miss the sarcasm from Johnny Lawrence and the softness of his sweet wife Jen. We miss KVC, the Chanceys, homegroup, Peter & Peace, the roads.... uh... no, we don't miss that!
But there are so many wonderful things about being here. It's not the convenience of buying things we miss. It's not the fast food places. It's not even the well-lit roads or orderly traffic. We enjoy family. We enjoy being around those families and friends who have built into us a love for something more than ourselves. Man, it gets me choked up just thinking about specific people! Guys, we have saints who lend us their vehicles without blinking an eye! We have family who welcome us into their homes and share their meals with us! We have others who serve us! We have some who even drive from Michigan JUST BECAUSE THEY LOVE US AND WANT TO BE WITH US!!! Seriously??? Wow,... What have we ever done to earn the love from a group of people who shower us with goodness?
It's in these times that my heart renews itself. It is so easy to become jaded and bitter toward the world. Try living in a place where they shoot people in the streets, abandon children in sewage drains, and would kill you just for the shoes on your feet! Try living there knowing that you might as well put a target on your chest each day as you leave the house because the enemy has such a influence on a great majority of people in this place.
So, yes, I am renewed by being here. My wife has been loved on so intensely that I'd have spent any amount of money to get her here for such a blessing! Friends; family; The Thompsons are so grateful to you all! Whether we've been able to see you face to face this trip or not, we love you. Your prayers, your love, your support, your interest in us has blessed us like few experiences on this earth can provide. So we say, "thank you" yet again!
We are a blessed family, indeed. Knowing that in two places we are loved and missed, brings us an overwhelming sense of joy. May we show you our gratitude and not merely tell it to you. We serve because we have been served! And as Michael Bowers once stated one Sunday, "Guilt won't compel you to do anything, but gratitude will!" (my paraphrase)
This is the picture of an extremely blessed family!
NOTE: In the next post, we will share with you some new and exciting things upcoming within the ministry and how, even more specifically, you can continue to be involved with us!
