Quick Note On A Sunday Morning

I have just returned from two weeks in Bolivia. Talk about memories! In many ways, it was like taking a trip a past part of my life. Things do not change in Bolivia as fast as they do in other parts of the world.

Susan and I spent twelve years in Bolivia. Like the Dicken's books says, "It was the best of times and it was the worst of times." Our daughters were born or came into our lives in Bolivia. That was definitely a best. We were shot at several times in various revolutions and periods of civil disorder. That was a worse, but not as "worst" as you might think. In some ways you are very alive when bullets are flying around you. Strange.

We had the privilege of planting a church which went on to plant other churches while we lived in Bolivia. That was a best. We also felt the pain of seeing some of our first disciples sputter into common-place Christianity. That probably nears the worse list. Definitely seeing some of our disciples die before they could fulfill their promise makes the list.

This week we had the privilege of getting together with our rather odd and extended family. You can see us in the picture above. We are a strange lot. Canadian, Bolivian and whatever you call someone from that country between Canada and Mexico (The term "american" is thought to be a bit offensive in most of Latin America where people consider themselves Americans, as well). We speak three native languages between us.

This was the first time for us all to be together in ten years. During that time everyone either grew up or got old. In the odd case we managed to grow old without growing up. I will leave it to your discernment to decide to which of us you would apply that description.

Krista is now a full-time Christian worker and a mother-to-be living in Chicago. Norma and her family serve as missionaries in Cochabamba. Her biological sister, Toty, is a mother, missionary and wife. Kari is serving the Lord in Costa Rica. Susan and I are either gray or bald.

So far, my grandchildren all seem to function properly. They watch Disney films, color appropriate books and ask questions about where my hair went to. They also seem to take it for granted that our family is rather normal. I appreciate that.

One of the best things we did during our time in Bolivia was to sit with a group of Bolivian leaders and friends one evening. During that time the subject of God's faithfulness came up. Taking turns, different leaders shared various experiences of how God had showed His faithfulness over the years. Even in the worst of times He showed up in remarkable ways.

I am back in Costa Rica now (Susan is traveling in Peru with Chris, Krista and "Westy" (code name for the baby inside of Krista). As I get involved in the everyday grind of leading the work in Latin America once again, I trust that I will remember that God is faithful - even when it doesn't always feel like that at the moment. I trust I will remember all that he has already ready done in our family. I trust I will remember how much more important it is to have my son-in-law tell me he loves me or to have my grandson tell me that I am funny than it is to have certain titles on my office door or business card.

I trust I will still reflect the character and priorities of Jesus in the Latin America of today just like that young man with hair did all those years ago.