Mar 2022 - Leaving Well

 What does it mean to “leave well”?  As I once again finding myself leaving friends and family in the US to return to my life in South Africa, I’ve been pondering that phrase.  The importance of leaving well is commonly discussed in many ministry contexts including overseas missions.  For me, it is something to keep in mind among all the busyness of the last weeks and then days before my flight.  To be more intentional about the things I do and don’t do with my time and energy. 

During the past few days, I have been working alongside my parents going though closets and boxes in their/our home in WA.  Lots set aside to give to charity, some set aside as keepsakes, some just reorganized.  It was finally time to get rid of all my notes from 10 years of college, old work paperwork, and clothes that I won’t wear again.  It feels good to leave with less clutter left behind.

While traveling around the US visiting many of my supporters, I stayed a few nights in Michigan and took the time to visit my undergraduate alma mater in Hillsdale.  It had been 21 years since I graduated, and this was my first trip back.  Although the campus has changed enormously on a physical level, the ethos and philosophy were still the same.  Many of my professors were still teaching at Hillsdale and I was able to meet with them and catch up.  Several will be retiring soon so it was good to be able to catch them this year while they were still there.

Just after I arrived home in Nov, I took advantage of some Michael’s coupons to get yarn for a new crochet project to keep me busy while I was home.  Somehow that got set aside unfinished when I had covid and then never got started again.  However, while watching the Olympics and Superbowl, I dragged it back out and managed to finish the shawl just in time.  It feels good not to leave behind unfinished projects.

Intentionally enjoying the beauty of my home in WA before I leave has meant taking several walks in the area and taking pictures of the swans who migrate though the area each year.  Several bald eagle sightings were also a blessing. It is good to take time to focus on what I love about Washington.

My last day at home in the US I changed the sheets on my bed, cleaned the bathroom, vacuumed, and generally organized and tidied my rooms upstairs.  It wasn’t necessary as my parents would be happy to have done it after I left, but again, it just feels good knowing I’m leaving everything clean and ready for guests to use.  

These seemingly little things can have such a big impact on how well we leave.  I find for me, taking the time to recognize and focus on these little bits of leaving well relieves some of the stress of leaving once again and allows God’s joy freer rein in my heart.   It also allows me to be more present when I am here in Mafikeng, rather than dwelling on home/the US.

Jan 2022 - Gifts of Grace

 Happy New Year!  Have you made any New Year’s resolutions?  Although I haven’t made any resolutions this year, I have been reflecting on God’s grace in my life over the past few years.  CVM’s verse for the year is Acts 20:24 with the focus on the gospel of the grace of God.  And it is a wonderful gospel (good news)! 

One the greatest gifts of grace has been the discipleship of students at NWU. Walking with them though their struggles and triumphs, praying with them, and studying the word together has been a joy and a source of growth for me as well. Many that were part of our witnessing group and Bible studies over the past 6 years have graduated, gotten married, and are working in jobs of all descriptions.

A second gift of grace is my little house and garden with my chickens and cats. Such joy can be found in the simple things in life: watching plants grow, playing with my cats and listening to the chickens clucking after they lay an egg.  It is such a blessing (especially during lockdown!) not to be in an apartment.  My home on campus also means the campus generator provides electricity during load shedding (when the government shuts off the power for several hours a day to compensate for low electricity production)! 

The Lord has also provided wonderful gifts of grace in the friends I’ve made in South Africa, both nationals and expats.  Friendships that will last long after my term with CVM are finished.  Friends to worship with, travel with, and bake with, friends who provided a place to stay when I needed to evacuate during student riots, friends who have rescued me when I’ve had car trouble, and friends who have helped me navigate the ins and out of life in South Africa.

Another gift of grace is the ability to return home on furlough and visit friends and family. This also includes the chance to meet up with vet students from various universities though the Real Life Real Impact student conferences and the talks I will be doing at the University of Minnesota.   Furlough also provides an opportunity to spend time with my parents.  They traveled with me to California last month to visit a few of my supporters and family who live in the area and we managed to have a bit of fun along the way. We even got out in the snow!

Finally, and most importantly, is the gift of grace in God’s salvation.  Last month we celebrated the birth of Christ, and in a few months, we will celebrate His death and resurrection.  Through Him we have been freely given the gift of restored relationship with our Creator and eternal life with Him. Praise Him for His marvelous gifts of grace.