I am very happy to report that Dad and Clare arrived safely yesterday afternoon. As they drove up in our little blue van (we call it a Nice Toy because according to the front it is a Nissan and the back says it is a Toyota), all of the Bible School children were so excited that they had to be called back in order to keep them from being run over!! As the van stopped, and the door slid open, Dad stepped out and was immediately mobbed by happy children clamoring to greet him...so much so, that Clare couldn't even get out to hug all of the children that were calling her name as well. It was really neat... and suddenly, I got a little glimpse of what heaven is going to be like for them someday... as they set foot into the "pearly gates"... probably even before they can get in... they are going to be mobbed by happy people, all clamoring to welcome them... and to say thank you! Amazing!
That is what we are all here on earth for. You may say, " I am not a missionary, I couldn't do something like that..." That is absolutely not true. Anyone of you who witnesses to your neighbor, coworker, or friend is a missionary. If you support a missionary, pray for a missionary, or even pray for the unsaved... you ARE doing the work of a missionary. We COULD NOT be here, doing this work, if someone were not at home doing the labor of prayer, and the work of financial support. YOU are an essential part... of a TEAM... that is doing this work to bring more people into heaven and the joy of eternal life with the father.
I know that I am waxing a little eloquent today, but I have been thinking about this. Many of you know Jake Schierling, missionary to Sierra Leone and Nigeria. He died recently after spending 67 of his 89 years in spreading the word that anyone can have eternal life in heaven. I am in awe of him, and can well imagine the tears of joy as a mob welcomed him into the gates of heaven. BUT... please remember that those who helped send and support and pray for him will be welcomed the same way. We are a team.
Thank you to all of you who are on our team. I am awed and humbled by you and your willingness to serve God so faithfully, without having the chance to see it with your own eyes. I will do my best to represent our team the best I can, so that we can all have a big party together in heaven.
To Uncle Jake... we love you and are everyday inspired by your work, your love, your memory, and your undying devotion and passion to see others experience the joy of the Father's presence. Your vision lives on in us... until the day that Christ returns.