More Travels East (and South)

Evening brushstrokes of our Creator God. (Seen in Grantville, PA.)

Blogging in recent months has become more difficult for me, as evidenced by the fewer posts written since June. At Many times, I have difficulty putting into words my experiences, thoughts, and emotions; like I can't rightly find the right narrative to adequately express what is happening around me and in me.

But, I am going to keep trying...and thanks for sticking with me as I stumble along. :)

About two weeks ago I returned from visiting my sister, Leah, who lives in south-central Pennsylvania. The visit included a 1900+mile road trip to Mississippi and back to visit the home office of my missions agency. The people I met and with whom I interacted were the highlights of the trip, aside, of course, from spending lots of quality time with my sis'. ;)

My beautiful sister Leah and I.

You know, for those in the family of God, the Body of Christ is so broad and rich!

Leah lives and works at Summit International School of Ministry, a small Bible college. I delighted in spending time with passionate young men and women who are dedicating two years to solely seeking the face of God. Two "formal" opportunities afforded me the chance to share about the work in Uganda and I loved the students' interest and probing questions. In chapel services and informal conversations, I witnessed a generation that is ready to take the world by storm for Jesus.

The group gathered for an evening session of "Missions Prayer"
at Summit International School of Ministry.

While these young people are essentially launching into lives and ministries for propelling the Gospel message worldwide, I also met up with fellow missionaries, including veterans of more than 30 and 50 years,who inspire me by their continued focus and energy toward God's calling. In their own words, one never really "retires" from service in God's kingdom.

In the home office of Global Outreach International in Tupelo, MS, I connected with dear people who tirelessly work to support, in a myriad of ways, more than 200 Global missionaries working in nearly 40 countries.

You have heard the saying, "It takes a village to raise a child," well, might I say, it takes a vast and diverse team to support a single missionary - from handling financial support, overseeing newsletters, paying insurance and other bills, to rallying prayer support, and more.

Rory Tyer and Steadman Harrison, of Global's
leadership team. share at the missions conference.

The "Made for Mission Conference," put on by Global Outreach and Hope Church in Tupelo on the first Saturday in November, emphasized that each Christian is made for mission, not just those who for a time wear the label of "missionary."

Carolyn Jacobsen, missionary to Uganda,
challenged us to be aware of what
God is doing around us and in us.

Informative and diverse workshops broadened our thinking and ideas of what it looks to be intentionally missional every day - with our neighbors, others we meet in the course of life, and some we need to actively seek out, like immigrants and refugees.

As Leah and I traversed the many miles between Pennsylvania and Mississippi and back (driving through Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Ohio), we stayed over with two women whom I first met in Uganda. Both served, for different lengths of time in Africa, and now continue to faithfully shine their lights in the communities in which they find themselves. They blessed us with gracious hospitality and comfy beds - welcome relief after many hours of driving.

So fun to see friend Mindy in Ohio!

I am discovering faithfulness is not determined by where God has called you - New York versus Jinja, Uganda, or the rural versus the urban, but in what He has called you to - a continual abiding in the Savior and seeking channels through which to pour out His love and grace.

Some may question the strength and potency of today's American church, but the real test lies with the individual Christian. And, in recent weeks, I have been challenged and encouraged by brothers and sisters across the U.S. who are faithfully representing Christ and sharing His transformational message of redemption.

Christ is the Head of a unified body, but each part plays an important role that another cannot perform in the same way. Be faithful to the places and people to which He calls you and the Body of Christ will be enhanced and strengthened as you do so.

Summit on a beautiful fall day.

One of My Most Favorite People in the World!

I can't remember a time in my life in which she was not a part of it. Folks have asked if we are twins, while some have even questioned if we are sisters. I asked my aunt the other day if my sis' and I resembled each other at all. She admittedly said no.

We are pretty different in personality, too. She is methodical and patient. I have the "get-it-done-as-fast-as-possible" attitude and don't have as much patience. Leah is naturally a planner and I am learning to become one. She is neat and tidy and I have "pile-it" programs on my desk, the floor, in the cupboard, etc. Leah being a mercy is the family peacemaker and dislikes conflict. I don't like conflict, but have been known to share my opinion too freely. As a teacher, I like facts and want the story straight. She is an extrovert and LOVES to have people around. I am an introvert and love blocks of time by myself. She is a talker, I am a writer. She is a self-sacrificing server and I am learning from her example.

Though we are so different, we do find much in common.

Leah is my only sibling and my best friend. She was home in June for 12 days. It was the first time we had been together since October 2009. I would never have dreamed as we grew up - and did nearly everything together - that someday we would live 1000s of miles apart on different continents and have virtually separate lives, with different focuses and ministries.

But time nor distance can separate the hearts of sisters. I am blessed to share my sis' with others and proud that God is using her in such incredible ways. I just thought I would share with y'all just how much she means to me - hence this post. :) (BTW, for those of you who don't know - Leah works at Mt. Zion International School of Ministry in Pennsylvania. She graduated from Mt. Zion as valedictorian of her class in 2007 and has been on staff since then.)

When we were younger, it was tradition every one to two years for my mom to take us, in matching outfits, to a photo studio. Those photos are now scattered around the house. I just thought I would share a few with you, as well as some other less formal shots. :)

1983 - Our first professional photo together. Leah refused to smile, so the photographer was doing everything to make her crack a grin - even, as my mom says, bouncing balls off her head. In later years, Leah was much more cooperative. I believe she was probably around 2 and I was 3.

 1983

March 1985 - I think we had just had an argument.

My little sister wishing me well on my first day of kindergarten - Sept. 1985.

1985 - She hasn't stopped smiling for photos since. :)

 1986?

 1987

 Angels in the Christmas Program (1986 or 1987?)

 Who's taller? 1991 - Leah has been taller than me for sooo long. The photographer set up the photo on the right, and then my mom kindly asked if we could stage one where I was taller. Presently, we are only a half-inch apart in height. Yes, she is still taller. :)

Various years. Notice that between 1993 (top left) and 1994 (top right) we had our long hair cut.

Singing with Mommy at Mayger's Family Camp. (Not sure what Daddy is doing, but I am sure it was helpful.)

2000 - Leah's graduation photo

2000 - My graduation photo. Yes, we graduated together, though we were two years apart in school. We were blessed to participate in a homeschool graduation with four other graduates. This is just one of life's milestones that Leah and I have shared together - baptisms, driver's permit and licenses, GEDs, and more. I wouldn't have chosen to share them with anyone else!

Father's Day 2011 - Indian Beach, Oregon Coast

We may not look alike or have identical personalities, but I am so grateful I share so many other things with my dear Leah - our family, friends, our faith, experiences, memories, curly hair ; ), and that we are sisters and best friends.

I love you so much, Leah Joy!  You have brought incredible joy to my life!

My Sister - A Blessing

In case some of you are wondering, I'm still here. My absence from my blog doesn't mean I have left for Uganda, yet. : )

I have been happily busy the last couple of weeks enjoying the visit of my dear sweet sister, Leah. She's my best friend, was my roommate for 20+ years and has been one of my greatest (and most patient) supporters and encouragers. Needless to say, I think she's really great!!

Leah and I on the Long Beach Peninsula

Not only has Leah been a wonderful friend and sister, but she has been a great spiritual example to me. This past Sunday we sang "In Christ Alone" as a special at church. I believe that song fits Leah so well because she has put Christ first in every area of life and it is so evident in her words, actions and choices. She has encouraged me on numerous occasions, though often without words, as she lives her life solely to please her Lord. I feel so very blessed to have her in my life! I only feel bad for the rest of you since there is only one Leah. ; ) May God continue to bless, guide and strengthen her as she continues to serve Him! (Late Sunday night she flew back to Pennsylvania where she works at the Bible school from which she graduated in April 2007.)

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Just a quick update on my Uganda preparations - I am still awaiting word from Global on whether or not my application has been accepted. I would ask for your prayers that I would know how to use this time and that I would keep focused on the Lord. I have faced various distractions lately and have felt a bit discouraged. But, the Lord keeps reminding me that I need only to draw close to Him and He will draw close to me.

Lately God has been showing me some more truths about faith and how He works in our lives, but I will save those for a future blog.

I would like to close, though, with this neat quote on faith which I read this morning.

"That is genuine faith - believing and declaring what God has said,
stepping out on what appears to be thin air and finding
solid rock beneath your feet." - From "Streams in the Desert"