From the ends of the earth

Following Jesus is an adventure.  At times the adventures are difficult, at times exciting, and at times it feels like He just spoils us with His goodness.  Jesus provided an amazing opportunity to meet up with my cousins (who serve in Uganda) for two weeks in South Africa.  I had not seen them in over two years and had not even met my one year old twin cousins.  It was my first time in Africa, a place that holds a very special place in the hearts of many that I love.  What a joy to be there, to be with my cousins and their sweet girls and to glory in the beauty of God’s creation. 

Picnic in Hermanus

Chloe

Sophie

Picnic with Elsie and Lucy

 

Words fail in attempting to describe the beauty of His creation.  What a creative God we serve.  The beauty that He created for us to enjoy even on this fallen earth seems to point ever so clearly to Him.  It leaves me trying to imagine the beauty of a world free from sin and the fall. 

 As I stood at the southernmost tip of Africa less than two weeks before Christmas, I was struck at the vastness of the world and of the amazing expression of God's love for it.   I started my day at the tip of Africa and then flew across the entire continent of Africa.   Our pilot treated us to an amazing view of Cape Town as we ascended.  Several hours later I felt the Lord prompt me to look out my window and I realized that I was looking at the northern border of the continent of Africa.  What a view and what a privilege to get to pray over this continent.  As I prayed over Africa and looked down on places that are in desperate need of the Gospel I couldn’t help but thank Jesus for entering into our world.  Unlike me, who was merely looking from above, Jesus came down to us, He entered our mess, got dirty and walked with and among us!  And by doing so, by coming to us and entering into and taking on our sin, He saved us!  What a Savior!

 He didn’t come to save His people from Rome, He didn’t come to save us from our circumstances. He didn’t even come to save us from our pain.  He came to save us from our sins.  He came to save and deliver us from the sin that resides in each one of our hearts. He came to redeem and restore.  All we have to do is say Yes to Him.  Say Yes to the One who emptied Himself and entered into our mess so that we could know Him, know salvation and know true Life and Love.

I can think of only one response to a God like that – total and complete devotion and surrender.  This is a God I want to serve, love and obey whole heartedly.  This is a God worthy of my worship. 

This Christmas may we all be reminded of the Savior.  The Savior who came to us as a baby, who loved us enough to enter into our messy world and offer redemption, and who continues to come to us each and every day. 

Merry Christmas!

The last few months...

Day trip to the Adirondacks

Life goes by at a frightening pace sometimes. It has been months since I have posted and once it gets long enough I find myself not even knowing where to begin.  So here is a very brief recap of the last few months.

KY family

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June -  Visited family in MI and KY and celebrated my grandfather's 90th birthday.

Celebrating the birthday boy!

July - On July 28th my baby sister got married.  It was a beautiful and blessed day.  I was so thankful to get to be a part of this special day.

Sisters

 

 

August - Finished my summer travels (5400 miles and 15 states) by visiting family and friends.  Was able to spend some special time in the Smoky Mountains with my other grandparents and one of my aunts.  Visited my college roommate and her family in AL and spent time with my nephew.

Wonderful weekend with my college roommate and her family

At Lake Michigan with my favorite 8 year old

September - My parents announced to our church that they feel the Lord leading them on to the next step.  After 18 years at Loudonville Community Church we all feel a mixture of emotions at the thought of leaving.  LCC has played a huge role in our family and we will truly miss this place and the people here.  I have been blessed to be here this fall to say goodbye and to watch my parents step out into the unknown, by faith, trusting the Lord for His timing and provision for their next step in ministry.  Their courage to step out in faith has given me courage to continue to step out in faith as I seek to return to BFA next fall. 

Here is a link to my Dad's blog about their leaving if you are interested:
http://pastorkeynotes.wordpress.com/2012/09/26/better-is-the-end-of-a-thing-than-its-beginning-ecclesiastes-78/

October - Celebrated my parents birthdays with them for the first time in years. Soaked in the fall colors and beauty of the northeast.  Blessed to be a part of LCC's  week long Missions Conference.  Put my parents' home on the market.

LCC Missionaries

Our front yard

I found it quite appropriate that my last entry was titled "Transition." This fall has not been like I had envisioned and yet through each season of life, each transition, Jesus remains faithful and does not change.  So as the leaves fall and we say goodbye as a family to NY and to LCC we anticipate the next season for all of us. And while we do not know what the next few months will look like we know that a new season will come and that as long as we stay in His hands it will be good. 

Transition

The class of 2012

 It is a part of life but transition is often a dreaded word especially to a missionary kid and quite honestly to me.  This word is one that is not unique to a missionary kid but certainly describes their lives very well.   It is a life that is filled with amazing adventures, stories, travel and friends literally all over the world yet no real sense of “home,” roots or a sense of belonging.  

  

The last month has been full of transition for me.  I have packed up my office at the high school, office at the middle school and my apartment in Kandern.  Many of you know that I am back in the States for the year.  I feel like the Lord is leading me to be at BFA on a more long term basis which means a new application process, some training and significantly more fund raising.  If I am honest though, the last month has confirmed that call but also made me realize anew the realities of a life of a missionary.  While those realities include much transition and change, sitting through a graduation service quickly reminds me that while God’s calling is not always easy, it is filled with opportunities of serving and being served by some amazing people.

 I wish you could all sit through a graduation service with me. It is truly a unique experience.  At the awards ceremony we heard from four seniors, one who had moved from Kenya to Germany his senior year. He shared about how hard the transition was but how God had truly been faithful in that transition.  Another student had been at BFA for two years, she is Dutch and her family has served in China for many years, she is going on to study to become a missionary pilot. Her sister was in my small group.  Another student wants to study nursing so that she can care for others.  Another student wants to study history and come back to teach at BFA.  It was a sweet glimpse into this senior class.  Students have to say goodbyes to each other and staff and there are no guarantees of a reunion as they are all transitioning to different schools in different parts of the world.  

 The realities of BFA culture are filled with transition and with a bad economy, new visa regulations and German taxes even those who have been considered a stable presence in the BFA community are no more.  While my “goodbyes” are hopefully only for one year, BFA will be a different school when I go back.  Every year brings about significant change.  Graduation comes and the kids leave for the four corners of the world and much of the staff also disperse for the summer as they return to fund raise, see family, etc.  A new school year begins and we have a whole new group of students and staff. 

My wonderful roommates, Kristi and Emily

I have to admit that while I hate transition it does thrust me into dependence on Jesus in new ways as He has to become my home, my roots, my stability.  And maybe that is the way it is supposed to be.

  “And He will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom and knowledge, the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.” Isaiah 33:6

The Cost of Freedom

Together! An evening in Basel

Over spring break I had the amazing opportunity of traveling in the Normandie region of France with my sister Elisabeth.  We both had been impacted as children visiting those beaches and the American cemetery but wanted to solidify those memories as adults.  We took a guided tour of the beaches and learned many facts, more than we could possibly absorb.  But as I walked along Omaha beach, memories and emotions came in waves like those crashing on the shore.  Age and maturity had only magnified the impact of what those beaches signified and continue to signify.  The price that was paid, the blood that was spilt for my freedom.  It struck me in a new way that the price that was paid on that day and the days before and after it, paved the way for me to be able to do what Jesus has asked me to do.  Because of the price paid on those beaches I am free.  Because of the price paid I had the privilege of growing up as a missionary kid in France.  And because of the price paid on those beaches I am free to teach French in Germany at BFA.  Their blood has allowed me to do what God has called and created me to do. 

Omaha Beach

It did not seem like a coincidence that we were there during Holy Week.  Jesus paid the ultimate price for my freedom.  His blood was spilt so that I could be free from the penalty of sin, free to know and love Him whole-heartedly.  His blood allows me to be all that He has created and called me to be. 

American Cemetery, over 9,000 buried

The question I was left with was how do I continue to honor the price that was paid for my freedom: my freedom as an American citizen and my freedom as the daughter of the King.  The best way I know how to do both of those things is to choose to follow and obey Jesus in every part of my life.  The best part is that Jesus did not die to make me a free citizen.  Scripture tells us that His death allows me to receive the Spirit of adoption which allows me the privilege of calling Him Father!  What an amazing gift and one I never want to take for granted or treat lightly.

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"

Galatians 5:1 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. ¹³ For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters

But we see Jesus

 

 He never leaves Himself without a witness.  This is a truth that I have been learning in new ways these days.  Sometimes it feels like the world is spinning out of control.  Sometimes when I look at the world around me, evil seems quite powerful and I find myself wondering at the restraint of God in many situations. 

 

All one has to do is to take a look at the headlines

- A pastor being condemned to death simply for refusing to deny His Savior. 

- Thousands whose names we don’t know who suffer daily for their faith. 

- Wars and rumors of war in the middle east, central asia and Africa. 

- Millions of orphans around the world. 

- Millions who don’t know where there next meal is coming for. 

It is tempting but inadvisable to shut out those images by not watching or reading the news. 

But how long before it hits much closer to home? 

- When you receive word that a seminary friend died on the mission field from an accident less than two months after arriving?

- When a friend’s mother-in-law dies 30 years before her time?

- When a neighbor is lost and struggling?  

- When co-workers battle major health concerns?  

Evil and suffering are real and we wonder where Jesus is in it all.  And yet….the beautiful thing is that He never leaves Himself without a witness if we only have eyes to see and ears to hear.

I have been struck anew by this reality and seen it several times in the last week alone

Ruth meets Boaz from http://www.bible-art.info

My small group has been reading through the Bible and this last week we read the book of Judges.  Not the most uplifting book.  I finished and found myself shocked again at the perversity and depravity of man.  I asked Jesus what He wanted to say to us through this book?  I felt like He told me to turn the page.  I did and do you know comes after Judges?  Ruth.  One of the greatest love stories in the Bible.  A story of redemption and a true picture of what God the Father had in mind for the redemption of all of mankind.  A kinsman-redeemer, while strange to our ears was very familiar to this audience and God knew we needed someone who was “kin” to us, someone that was fully human but also someone who was fully God to redeem us from sin and death.  This book that begins with famine, death and despair ends with Naomi holding the grandfather of King David on her lap. The root of Jesse through whom our Savior would one day come.  What a story.  

But do you know what the amazing thing is?  I had never noticed the first line of the little book of Ruth.  It says, “In the days when the judges ruled…”  In the days when depravity ruled the earth God gives us this beautiful story to those with ears to hear and eyes to see.  I love it!  He never leaves Himself without a witness. 

 Later that week was Fasching here in Kandern.  It is a Carnival, Mardi Gras type of celebration, complete with scary costumes, large amounts of alcohol and all that goes with it.  The music and noise could be heard all day just outside my apartment.  That evening though I went to the concert of a local missionary.   She is a concert pianist and uses her talent to share the Gospel.  So the German community was invited and the Gospel was shared in the context of a beautiful concert.  A witness, a light on a dark day.  What a blessing.

Marcia, Barb and Michelle

The next day I had the privilege of taking three wonderful ladies from my home church to visit the city of Strasbourg. We took a boat tour of the city learned that one of the oldest Protestant churches in France is now a theater.  This similar situation was repeated later on in the tour breaking my heart for a country and a continent that has produced the likes of John Calvin (who lived several years in Strasbourg), Blaise Pascal, Martin Luther, the Pietists and Fenelon and yet they are virtually unknown.  But in the midst of grieving this loss I looked up and to my right I saw a huge banner, easily read from the boat, for an Alpha Course inviting people to come and explore Christianity.   

A light, a witness in a dark place.

The steeple of Notre Dame de Strasbourg.  Pointing heavenward.

I am so grateful to the Lord for giving me these precious reminders that even when the darkness seems great – He is greater still.  And He is not distant, He is not uninvolved – He is in it with us and longing for us to see the light that He is shining even in the dark places.  The voice of a pastor who has been condemned to die echoing around the world.  The voice of an author (Eric Metaxas) speaking profound and courageous truths at the National Prayer Breakfast.  The voice of a Victoria Secret model who did what was foolish in the eyes of the world and quit her job in order to honor God and her husband.  He never leaves Himself without a witness.   How have you seen Him lately?

Hebrews 2:8b-9

“Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control.  At present, we do not yet see everything in subjections to him…but we see Him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”

"Grace upon Grace

Every year BFA has a theme that is prayerfully chosen by the chaplain and his team.  This year the theme has been Only Grace. Grace – it is a word that I have known and heard my whole life.  My name actually means graceful or full of grace.  And yet the older I get the more I realize that I have a long way to go in understanding and more importantly living in His grace.  Webster describes grace as “unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification.”  I have personally come to know this grace through saving knowledge of Jesus.  But how do I live day by day, moment by moment in His grace? How do I let that grace continually flow from me to others? These are questions that I have been pondering this year.    

As 2012 began I found myself pleading with Jesus for more of His grace in my life.  I want to choose to live from the fullness of His grace.  The verse He led me to was John 1:16 – “And from His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.”  From the fullness of the triune God Himself I can be filled and draw from His grace.  And the good news is that His grace never runs dry.  He gives grace for saying goodbye to my family one more time, grace for the future, grace for the present, grace to receive hard news, grace to celebrate someone else’s victories and joys, grace for the injustices of life, grace for writing one more lesson plan, grace to be insignificant, etc.  Grace for each moment of each day.  What a gift!  One I only have to choose to receive, choose to live and choose to give.

My prayer for this year is that I would live up to my name, Anna, one filled with grace, God’s grace.  But more importantly that I would live up to my calling as a daughter of the King and live a life not out of my own strength or for my own glory but from His fullness and grace and for His glory! 

A Glimpse...

The last month has been eventful.  I was very grateful to be home over Christmas break with my family and most importantly be present for my sister's engagement.  When you live across the ocean from your family those moments take on extra special meaning. We are excited to have another wedding in our family this summer and I am grateful to soon have two wonderful brothers-in-law.

The newly engaged couple

All Together!

Today marks two weeks since I arrived back in Kandern.  A lot has happened.  Here is a glimpse into the last two weeks:

24 hours after landing I was at the all-staff breakfast where we said goodbye to our interim director and welcomed our new director.  He and his family arrived last fall and have been slowly transitioning into this new role.  It is a big job and as a staff we are indebted to both of these men for their godly leadership and willingness to take on the job. 

(If you are interested here is a link to an article and video about this:

 http://bfacademy.com/2012/01/09/the-passing-of-the-baton-to-scott-jones/  )

Small groups started again.  It was great to be able to see my girls and hear all their travel stories.  Many involved adventures, being stuck in Frankfurt for three days, missing flights, etc.  These kids never cease to amaze me. 

BFA kicks into high gear right from the start.  We have had two weekends full of home basketball games.  Home basketball games are quite a big part of the BFA community.  Everyone in the community shows up and most will stay through all four games for a grand total of six hours.  And that is just Friday night, the whole thing is repeated on Saturday.  It is quite an experience and a fun part of BFA culture.

Last night I got to spend the evening with all the middle school staff.  The high school is quite large and all but impossible for us to gather as a group outside of school but the middle school has a dozen or so on staff and it was fun to get to spend some time with these amazing people outside of the school setting.  The staff represents at least three countries, previous ministry in more countries than I can count, and hearts that are longing to serve Jesus here by serving missionary kids and their families.  I am humbled and honored to work alongside them and learn from them. 

I was also honored by a dinner invitation by one of my students’ to the middle school dorm house.  What a treat to watch these dorm parents love on the four kids that are living with them.  

My classes are off and running and it has been fun to watch my middle schoolers practice the play they have been memorizing.  It has been good to see they have not forgotten too much during Christmas break.  

As you can see, things are busy but good.  My fellow French teacher has finished her radiation and has received a good report.  We praise the Lord for this good news.  Will you pray with me that Jesus continues to lead in every interaction and decision made in the next few months?  I am humbled by your willingness to be a part of what God is doing here.  Thank you for allowing me the privilege of being here.  I am truly grateful!