When Dreams are Realised

From Lesley:

I recently returned from a trip to France to be part of a Member Care Consultation. ‘What is member care?’ you may ask. Good question! The consultation was a group gathered from around Europe and beyond of missionary sending organisations and health care professionals to consult on the best way to care for our many missionaries. Too many missionaries leave the mission field prematurely for reasons that are to a large part preventable if they were better equipped and cared for during their time.

One of the leading voices, indeed probably the original voice, leading the way on this is a woman called Marjory Foyle. She is well known for her book ‘Honourably Wounded’ and has led the way over the years in ensuring missionaries are cared for and invested in to a level that provides an environment for them to thrive. Too many missionaries just about survive and it is crucial that those who are responsible for overseeing them continue to work on doing a better job at ‘member care’.

It has to be said that Marjory is a hero of ours and so it felt an unbelievable privilege to be present on the last evening in France when we had a special evening of recognition for her, indeed to honour her. The room was filled with people who she has impacted and influenced over her 86 years. I felt a bit like I was eavesdropping on an intimate event of very special people who in turn look up to this very special woman. She looked around the room after her standing ovation, quite overwhelmed by the surprise, and announced how naughty everyone was to do such a thing but also declared that her dream, that started over 20 years ago, was this night realised. Wow.

God caused me to remember afresh why I do my work and for whom. I do it because I am passionate about people and I love it when people thrive and grow on the mission field. I do it for God’s glory and for His kingdom.

Sunday School Questions

Joel came home from "Sunday Club" with the usual bundle of badly folded paper and 3 post-it notes. It was quickly observed that the notes were answers to questions he had been asked that morning in his group.

The first one said "to save us". I had a pretty good guess as to what the question might have been, but I checked with Joel and sure enough it was a "Jesus" question.

The second post-it had "James Pritchet" written on it (his best mate at school). I was a little more intrigued by this one, and Joel explained it was to do with someone they wanted to come to know Jesus. Excellent stuff.

The third post-it had "hit people" written on it. However hard I tried to pursue the matter, Joel could not quite recall what the prompting question was about. I wonder what it could have been..........

I think nine is going to be an interesting age for our boy.