Did you say homework?

One of the first things we learned from CMF about getting ready for the mission field was that we had studying to complete before departure. Turning in assignments, are you kidding me, I have not been in school for 30 years. I admire those in school at my age, but I never thought going back to school was for me.

On the list of books they gave us to read and yes, write a book report to hand in, was Lost in the Middle. I was not excited about this read but thought- just get it done. To my surprise I took away some good things from reading this.

• Life in this fallen world is hard. The hard experiences do not get in the way of what he is doing in and through us, but are the means by which it gets done.
• Physical strength and health were never supposed to be the source of our hope, but they often are.
• The pain of disappointment, regret, and aging is meant to warn you and call you to action.
• Live with one eye on eternity and do all you can to participate in the preparation that God is putting you through.

I am finished with all my assigned homework, at least for now until we attend classes on language learning and cross cultural living. Those are scheduled for late February and will hopefully be right before we depart for our new home.

This time of life, which can seem like the end of many things, can actually welcome us to a brand new way of living. As Ron and I head to Africa, many things are ending but we anticipate the joy of a brand new way of living.