In 1992, one of the most common questions we were asked was, "are your kids going with you?" We would grin on the outside and roll over in laughter on the inside as we thought, "who else would want them?" No, really, we love them very much and as Christian parents we are fully aware of the blessing of children and the responsibility we have to "raise them up in the fear of the Lord". So, of course, the children went to Thailand with us.
They were amazing missionary kids (or kids who are missionaries as my son once said). They allowed people to touch their blonde hair and feel their white skin. They did their best to eat strange foods like pigs ears, pigs blood and many strange "green" vegetables. They slept on hard floors and in hot, hot rooms. We had to teach them that they must be prepared to be disappointed because you never knew for sure if the water park we were going to was actually going to be open that day, or the movie would actually be showing (in English). On Sundays they were immersed in church for almost an entire day and mostly in a language they did not understand - but they were little troopers. When we were in town we had to contend with prostitutes who wanted to dote on them and the transvestites who were always friendly and they had to decide whether that lady was a girl or a guy.
On the upside - they had a "helper" who made their beds and cleaned their rooms for them every day (even when their mom said please do not do it). They were done with school by noon every day and had the remainder of the day to play. They lived in a world of continual sunshine and across the street from the beach. McDonald's delivered to our house and the ice cream man came every day.
Well, they are now raised and people continue to ask the question, "what will your kids do?" Well, our "kids" (who are all young adults) will continue to do the things they are doing. We are pleased that they all have special relationships with God and with others. They are all active in their churches and all three of them are maintaining a home and working. They all have an understanding of our call to go to the Ends of the Earth and they have a special place in their hearts reserved for the people of Thailand. A people who helped to form them into the individuals they have grown to be.
Is it easy to leave them here? NO! We praise God for the many means of easy communication we have today. Our biggest obstacle will be the time difference which is 12-15 hours.
In Isaiah 54, God promises the Jewish people that even though He had turned His back on them for a time He will bless them - that His kindness is everlasting and that His covenant of peace would not be removed - a portion of that blessing is verse 13, "All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children." This is the promise I continue to claim for my children - that they will continue to have open hearts to learn from the Lord and His peace will be over them forever.
May your Good Friday be meaningful and thoughtful:
"Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit. Having said this, He breathed His last." Luke 23:44-46
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